How Governments Can Keep Disaster Survivors Connected

There's no better time for state and local governments to get serious about developing proactive approaches to keeping residents connected in the days, months and years following a natural disaster. Among the programs that should be advertised to disaster survivors is the federal Lifeline program, which provides a subsidy that covers all or a portion of the cost of wireless voice and internet services for low-income consumers who qualify. Individuals enrolled in the SNAP program, Medicaid, housing assistance and other programs for low-income families are likely to meet the eligibility requirements for Lifeline, but too few of them know the program exists and current Federal Communications Commission proposals could severely limit the program's reach. Maintaining affordable voice and broadband internet service during a natural disaster and after services are restored can be a matter of life and death. In California, for example, residents with phone and internet service can receive county-by-county alerts on the paths of wildfires and receive up-to-the-minute updates, including evacuation orders and other life-saving instructions. Low-income Californians enrolled in the Lifeline program can connect with financial assistance, temporary housing services, rebuilding programs, debris removal, and low-cost legal services. While the needs of natural-disaster survivors vary from event to event, low-income residents will consistently need help keeping their lights on and staying connected to a network of resources and support. By urging the FCC to reject proposals to limit the Lifeline program's reach and encouraging utilities to work with displaced residents, state governments can go a long way toward getting survivors the help and tools they need as they start out on the long road to recovery.

[Olivia B. Wein is a staff attorney in the Washington office of the National Consumer Law Center, where she represents the interests of low-income clients at the federal and state level on energy and utility issues.]