Learn more . For more information, please watch this video. Deputy Director, Office of Media Relationsanne.veigle@fcc.gov, Office of Media Relationsmediarelations@fcc.gov [7], Lifeline has been controversial due to rampant fraud and abuse of the program. Not required to offer Lifeline voice where: 51% of Lifeline subscribers in a county obtain Lifeline BIAS (NLAD and Opt-out date); There are at least 3 other Lifeline BIAS providers that each serve at least 5% of the Lifeline BIAS subscribers in that county (NLAD and Opt-out data); and, The ETC does not receive high-cost support in that area. Only one Lifeline benefit is permitted per household. Lifeline Discount Program for Home Phone & Internet - Verizon If the consumers information is not found in the available databases, the consumer can provide additional information for verification. Answer: Once your application is approved, you can choose a Lifeline service provider in your area and contact them to enroll in the discounted service. You can see if you are eligible by reviewing the information available at lifelinesupport.org (click "Do I Qualify?"). Various internet providers, including those offering landline and wireless internet service, are participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The ACP and Lifeline Support Centers mailing address has changed to P.O. The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Any advocacy contained on any third-party webpage is solely that of the third party. [1][2][3][4], Lifeline provides a discount on monthly service of $9.25 per month[1] for eligible low-income subscribers. Resolve Application Errors - Universal Service Administrative Company The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. At the National Verifier full (hard) launch, service providers must use the National Verifier when helping consumers apply to the Lifeline Program. lock ( Follow the prompts and provide the necessary information, such as your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number or Tribal identification number, if applicable. Pre-recorded messages inform subscribers: 2023 Universal Service Administrative Company. However, Lifeline support is available to eligible low-income subscribers living in group living facilities. Subscribers that fail the current recertification check, but passed their previous automated eligibility check, will be required to provide proof of eligibility and complete the Recertification Form. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Subscribers will only be due for recertification after they have successfully completed reverification or if they enrolled through the National Verifier. Program specifics will be available in the coming weeks. The budget will be $2.385 billion for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2020. Your internet company will provide the discount to you. Subscribers whose eligibility cannot be verified via the initial automated check will be required to complete the Recertification Form and may be required to provide proof of eligibility. Home - Universal Service Administrative Company After you qualify, choose a phone or internet company near you that offers the Lifeline benefit and sign up for service with them. Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service. Consumers, providers, and state and Tribal administrators will be able to access components of the National Verifier to confirm eligibility, facilitate administration and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse. Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan. Program and Income Verification A consumer whose household currently is receiving more than one Lifeline service must select a single Lifeline provider and contact the other provider to de-enroll from their program. Lifeline is the Federal Communications Commission's program, established in 1985, intended to make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Please do not share any sensitive personal information via email. organization in the United States. Circulation climbed to 4,747 by January 1978, when Lifeline began monthly publication. See if your household fits into any eligible categories. Federal rules prohibit qualifying low-income consumers from receiving more than one Lifeline service at the same time. If you are a person with a disability and need assistance with your Lifeline application, contact the Lifeline Support Center at lifelinesupport.org or call 800-234-9473. National Verifier: Lifeline - Verifier ID - Phone Number Learn about consumer issues - visit the FCC's Consumer Help Center at fcc.gov/consumers. For specific directions on how to apply for Lifeline in all three states, visit the National Verifier and select the relevant state from the drop-down menu and press "Get Started.". If you, or any person in your household, are currently receiving more than one monthly Lifeline service, you must select one provider to provide your Lifeline service and you must contact the other provider to de-enroll from their program. Lifeline is part of the Universal Service Fund. Allison Jones at (202) 418-1571. To participate in the Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or certain Tribal Programs. There are three ways to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program. You may also apply for the program by working with a Lifeline service provider either in-person at a store location or online via the service provider's website, if they support that option. That it is time to recertify their benefit. Users are notified through the online portal when the information is reviewed. The Lifeline Across America Working Groupinitiated a study and compiled a report in 2006 where it presented its observations and conclusions concerning best practices for outreach on the Lifeline program. Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications (pdf). This information is automatically checked against databases. Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program; Participates in one of these assistance programs: Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools. Additionally, the privacy policies of any third-party website may differ from those of the FCC. Critics say that these changes would leave millions of poor Americans without phone service. Once you have logged in, navigate to the appropriate section or page to view the status of your application. It determines whether consumers are eligible for Lifeline. For audio and other access, use the "Explore Accessibility Options" link. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on monthly telephone service purchased from participating providers in the marketplace. Beneficiary and Contributor Audit Program (BCAP), Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP), Develop Evaluation Criteria & Select Services, Review Your Funding Commitment Letter (FCL), Prepare For Competitive Bidding & Request Services, National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), Representative Accountability Database (RAD), Puerto Ricos Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Tribal programs, income, SNAP, Tribal TANF, Medicaid, FPHA, and Veterans Pension, SNAP, Medicaid*, FPHA, and Veterans Pension, SNAP, Medicaid, FPHA, and Veterans Pension, SNAP, Medicaid*, FPHA, SSI, and Veterans Pension, NAP/PAN, Medicaid and FPHA. The Lifeline program is available to eligible low-income consumers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and on Tribal lands. How to Apply - ACP - Universal Service Administrative Company You do not need to apply again. You can apply online or with the assistance of your internet company. You must choose which service you would like to receive the discount on. A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below: Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete. Circulation reached a high of 25,116 in . Enter the code and click Verify. Acceptable documentation for income eligibility verification includes: The prior year's state, federal or Tribal tax return; current income statement from an employer or paycheck stub; Social Security statement of benefits; Veterans Administration statement of benefits; retirement or pension statement of benefits; Unemployment or Workers' Compensation statement of benefits; federal or Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance; or divorce decree, child support award, or other official document containing income information. Find internet service providers offering the benefit in your state or territory. Learn more about qualifying. Consumers may need to provide documentation if their eligibility cannot be confirmed automatically by checking a program eligibility database (for example, SNAP, Medicaid, etc.). Your email address will not be published. Failure to recertify during this time will result in automatic de-enrollment. If you are a person with a disability and need assistance with your Lifeline application, contact the Lifeline Support Center or call 800-243-9473. If a subscriber does not successfully recertify within their 60-day window, USAC will notify the subscriber via mail within 2-3 business days after a subscribers window closes and the subscriber will be automatically de-enrolled from NLAD five (5) business days after the conclusion of their recertification window. CT customers only - If you prefer to fax your information, please fax your Lifeline application with the required official documents to Verizon at 1.877.306.2190. Applicant data for Lifeline programs is stored within the systems framework. People with print disabilities may request braille, large print, or screen-reader friendly versions of this article via the email form at fcc504@fcc.gov. secure websites. In the 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order, the Commission included broadband as a support service in the Lifeline program. Print an application: English Spanish (Application Instructions also available in 9 other languages), USAC strongly recommends including a Household Worksheet with your application: English Spanish (Household Worksheet Instructions also available in 9 other languages). A locked padlock Eligible consumers can get up to $9.25 off the cost of phone, internet, or bundled services. Washington, DC 20554. Get Started - Universal Service Administrative Company National Verifier (NV) - Universal Service Administrative Company You can see if you are eligible for Lifeline service by reviewing the information available at lifelinesupport.org under "Do I Qualify?". Get information, troubleshoot any issue or reach a . Answer: You may be eligible for Lifeline benefits if you have a low income or participate in a qualifying government assistance program, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Service providers: find more information about how to participate. Subscribers found to be violating the one-discount-per-household rule may also be subject to criminal and/or civil penalties. *This state benefits from both a federal and state connection for Medicaid verification. Any mail sent to the old mailing address will be forwarded for a period of time. If you apply online, you may receive an immediate approval. Third-Party Identity Verification (TPIV). organization in the United States. Talk to your provider for more information. Information submitted to resolve application errors during business hours (9 a.m. 9 p.m. An official website of the United States government. The discount helps ensure that low-income consumers can afford 21st century broadband and the access it provides to jobs, healthcare, and educational resources. "Household" is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address as one economic unit. You dont need to apply again click here to learn more. FCC rules protect Affordable Connectivity Program recipients by: Check out the Affordable Connectivity Program Consumer FAQ for more information about the benefit. Because telephone subscribership levels on Tribal lands are the lowest in the country, enhanced Lifeline benefits are available to low-income residents of Tribal lands. Call (855) 359-4299, enter in the application ID number included in your letter, and follow the prompts. On the next page, confirm the email associated with your account and click Send Email. The chart below provides a high-level overview of the typical recertification timeline: USAC will conduct outreach to subscribers who did not pass the automated data source check to inform them of their requirement to recertify their continued eligibility. You can: Already in a low-income program with a non-Lifeline provider? All rights reserved. Self-help service that lets you process transactions like adding airtime or checking your balance. Any mail sent to the old mailing address will be forwarded for a period of time. The National Verifier is responsible for assessing the qualification of individuals seeking Lifeline benefits. Share sensitive information only on official, When a consumers information is not found, the consumer can provide additional information for verification. Subscribers can also purchase discounted broadband internet from participating providers. 2023 Universal Service Administrative Company. Enhanced Lifeline Benefits for Tribal Lands. In August 2019, FCC Chairman Pai proposed further administrative changes to root out fraud and abuse of the program. Federal rules prohibit subscribers from receiving more than one Lifeline service. If an NLAD transaction requires a dispute resolution within this window, it will need to be performed on or after full (hard) launch. PO Box 9100 National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier - Assurance Wireless National Verifier for Lifeline Eligibility. For inquiries or feedback regarding the National Verifier, dial 1-800-234-9473, which connects you to USACs Lifeline Support Center. Lowering the monthly cost of phone or internet service. Already Receive Lifeline? P.O. Please refer to the. Compatible device required. Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete. In these instances, additional information may need to be supplied by the consumer, as certain applications may call for fresh data and requirements. The information can be submitted online through the consumer or service provider portal or mailed to the Lifeline Support Center. Please refer to the ACP Bulletins page and Lifeline Announcements page for more details. Box 9100 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773. The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. Lifeline Wireless Application Status Check Status To check the status of your free government phone service application, enter the information below to see if: Your application was mailed Your approval letter has been sent Your Phone has shipped *Service Zip Code SUBMIT What State Do You Live In? Lifeline subscribers can apply their benefit to home or mobile phone service or to high-speed broadband. Visit the National Verifier website at https://nv.fcc.gov/lifeline. To locate a Lifeline provider in your state, go to https://data.usac.org/publicreports/CompaniesNearMe/Download/Report. The National Verifier automatically verifies the consumers identity and address using: The National Verifier automatically verifies a consumers participation in a qualifying government program through established Computer Matching Agreements (CMA) with state and federal government organizations. For more information about USAC and the USF and the Appropriated Programs, please visit https://www.fcc.gov/general/universal-service, https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund, and https://www.fcc.gov/acp. 2023 Universal Service Administrative Company. Question 5: What happens after my application for Lifeline benefits is approved? If, in a given year, spending meets or exceeds 90% of the budget, FCC staff will write a report detailing the causes of the increased spending, and recommending any necessary changes. All providers who choose to provide devices to their consumers must provide devices that are Wi-Fi enabled by December 1, 2016. 151, 152, 155, 303; 47 CFR 0.141. All rights reserved. Lifeline Program for Low-Income Consumers | Federal Communications You can apply your Lifeline and ACP benefit to the same or separate services. USAC's website provides additional information regarding the program, including program requirements. Beneficiary and Contributor Audit Program (BCAP), Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP), Develop Evaluation Criteria & Select Services, Review Your Funding Commitment Letter (FCL), Prepare For Competitive Bidding & Request Services, National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), Representative Accountability Database (RAD). Check Lifeline Application Status | Assurance Wireless Subscribers will not receive written notice that USAC received their form after it is submitted, however they will be able to call the Lifeline Support Center for their status or the service provider can access this information via the Recertification Subscriber Status Report in NLAD.
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