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Bipartisan Lawmakers Urge FCC to Inform Low-Income Families of Lifeline Program Eligibility

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Congressional Democrats and Republicans, alongside FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to work directly with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to inform low-income families about the Lifeline program. The program provides essential broadband and telephone services for eligible households. With millions of Americans now eligible for Medicaid or SNAP due to job loss or income reduction, the lawmakers emphasized the critical role of the Lifeline program in bridging the digital divide. "For these vulnerable populations, the FCC's Lifeline program can help struggling families afford basic internet and telephone connectivity at a time when they need it most - but only if they know about it," the lawmakers wrote. They urged the FCC to coordinate directly with USDA, HHS, states, and stakeholders to ensure people in need are informed about their eligibility for the Lifeline program.

Key Takeaways:

  • 140 congressional colleagues, including Senators Amy Klobuchar and Richard Durbin, and Representatives Marcia Fudge and Anna Eshoo, co-signed the letter urging the FCC to inform low-income families of Lifeline program eligibility.
  • The Lifeline program is the primary federal program charged with helping low-income families obtain broadband and telephone services, with the FCC's Chairman Ajit Pai facing calls to coordinate with USDA and HHS to ensure people in need are informed about their eligibility.
  • The letter cited the COVID-19 pandemic as highlighting the essential role of internet connectivity, with millions of Americans now eligible for Medicaid or SNAP due to job loss or income reduction.
  • Congressman Cleaver emphasized that "A child shouldn't have to go to McDonald's to do their school work, and a worker shouldn't be forced to choose between their health and their job because they don't have access to the internet at home."
  • Public organizations such as Public Knowledge, the National Consumer Law Center, United Church of Christ, OC Inc., and Third Way supported the letter.
  • The Lifeline program provides critical connectivity for those who need it most, and informing consumers about their Lifeline eligibility is a necessary step to help close the digital divide.

Statistics:

  • 140 co-signers of the letter, including Senators and Representatives, from both the House and Senate.
  • Millions of Americans now eligible for Medicaid or SNAP due to job loss or income reduction.
  • Eligibility for the Lifeline program covers low-income households forced to stretch limited resources during the public health crisis.

Sources:

  • Press release issued by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), on May 2.
  • Full text of the letter with a list of co-signers can be found here https://edit-cleaver.house.gov/sites/cleaver.house.gov/files/FCC%20Letter%204-28-2020.pdf.
  • Congressional contact information: Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or Matthew.Helfant@mail.house.gov.

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