Consumers who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic now can more easily qualify for the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline benefits. The Lifeline program gives monthly discounts on broadband and voice services to qualifying low-income consumers.
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau recently waived the requirement that consumers seeking to qualify for the program based on their income must provide at least three consecutive months of income documentation, through the end of June.
Under FCC rules, consumers can demonstrate eligibility for the Lifeline program by either showing that they participate in one of the established qualifying programs, such as Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or by showing that their household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Individuals who have lost their jobs during the pandemic may not be able to verify their income-based eligibility for Lifeline with three consecutive months of income documentation since their unemployment and related decrease in income began so recently.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our economy,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, in a prepared statement. “Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, and it is important that they have the connectivity they need to apply for new jobs, take online classes or get medical care via telehealth. I’m glad we’re granting this relief today, which will help those who may have only recently become eligible for Lifeline to sign up for the program and stay connected to vital broadband and phone services during the pandemic.”
The FCC said it will monitor the situation to determine whether any additional extension of this waiver is appropriate.
The order extends the FCC’s previous waivers of the Lifeline program’s recertification, reverification, general de-enrollment and usage requirements until the end of June