Lifeline/Low-Income Consumers

More than 400,000 Arizonans have lost their SNAP benefits since July—the largest decline in the nation by a wide margin—as an underfunded state agency administered changes called for in President Donald Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The drop represents nearly 47 percent of the state’s participants in the program better known as food stamps and includes about 180,000 children, according to the Arizona Department of Economic Security, which administers the program.

The Federal Communications Commission seeks to ensure that Lifeline services are used to benefit and support eligible low-income Americans, that the program's funding is protected from waste, fraud, and abuse, and that service providers are in compliance with FCC rules. The FCC also seeks to update and streamline Lifeline and related rules. Comments are due on or before May 4, 2026 and reply comments are due on or before June 2, 2026.

On March 17, Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) introduced the No Lifeline for the Dead Act (H.R. 7963). Rep. Obernolte says the legislation would strengthen oversight and accountability in the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program.

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which administers Lifeline for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), estimates that over 38.5 million households are eligible for Lifeline support. But in 2024, Lifeline enrollment was just 8.79 million.

The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks nominations to fill the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Board of Directors position representing incumbent local exchange carriers (Bell Operating Companies).

The Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program provides a subsidy to qualifying low-income consumers to help them afford the monthly cost of phone and/or internet services. Lifeline’s goal is to ensure that low-income households have access to essential communication services for many aspects of modern life, including employment, education, and healthcare.

In 2025, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) continued to advance its mission with a steady commitment to responsible stewardship of Universal Service Fund (USF) resources, strong operational performance, and close collaboration with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The Federal Communications Commission's Office of Managing Director (OMD) announced that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the second quarter of 2026 will be 0.370 or 37.0 percent. If the FCC takes no action regarding the projections of demand and administrative expenses and the proposed contribution factor within the 14-day period following release of this Public Notice, they shall be deemed approved by the FCC. USAC shall use the contribution factor to calculate universal service contributions for the second quarter of 2026.

Rep Jay Obernolte (R-CA) introduced the No Lifeline for the Dead Act, legislation to strengthen oversight and accountability in the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program following a watchdog report uncovering widespread waste, fraud, and abuse tied largely to California’s enrollment system. The Lifeline program provides a monthly subsidy to help low-income Americans afford phone and broadband service, ensuring access to essential communications for work, education, healthcare, and public safety. To administer the program, the FCC relies on national verification tools to confi

I want to close by reflecting on what we heard, because the arc of [this week] tells a story. We began with Senator Markey reminding us that universal service was never a narrow technical objective. It was, and remains, a moral and democratic claim. Access to education, economic opportunity, civic participation must be available to everyone, regardless of geography, income, age, or background. That is what we are really talking about when we talk about universal connectivity. The means of participation.