Chairman Pai Response Regarding Keeping Low-Income Consumers Connected to During COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 19, 2020, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai regarding keeping Lifeline subscribers connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We strongly urge the FCC to commit that no one loses access to Lifeline at this time of crisis. Congress has invested the FCC with emergency powers to waive, suspend, or revise its policies and regulations for challenging times. The FCC should use these authorities to take every action necessary to ensure that Lifeline is available and fits the needs of subscribers. The Commission should also take swift steps to provide information about Lifeline to the public and ensure carriers more aggressively advertise their Lifeline services to all eligible individuals. Americans must know that help is available." On March 18, Rep Doris Matsui (D-CA) wrote to Chairman Pai to encourage the FCC to explore measure to grant provisional approvals for Lifeline subscribers as they become eligible directly or via qualifying support programs. She also wrote that, "To ensure there is service capacity to meet the increase in demand, temporary waivers or modifications to the FCC's current approach to determining Eligible Telecmmunications Carrier status may need to be revisited."

On May 11 and 14, Chairman Pai responded to the senators and Rep Matsui, respectively, describing the aggressive action the FCC has taken to help ensure that Lifeline subscribers stay connected during this crisis. He said in March and April, the FCC temporarily waived several FCC rules that could have otherwise resulted in involuntary removal of subscribers during the pandemic. Additionally, on April 29, the FCC temporarily waived the requirement that consumers seeking to qualify for Lifeline based on their income must provide at least three consecutive months of income documentation. He said the Lifeline waivers are in effect until June 30, 2020 and that FCC staff will monitor the situation and determine whether any additional extensions beyond this date are needed. Chairman Pai also noted that FCC staff and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) have increased their efforts to promote awareness of the Lifeline program and support other organizations and agencies serving low-income communities. Lastly, Chairman Pai noted that he has called on providers that have signed the FCC's Keep Americans Connected Pledge to go above and beyond the Pledge and expand existing or develop new low-income broadband offerings during COVID-19.