A Lifeline for Low-Income Americans

The Lifeline program was established in 1985 to help low-income Americans afford access to vital communications. But as communications technologies and markets evolve, the Lifeline program also has to evolve to remain relevant. Today, we take the first step in that process. I am circulating new proposals to “reboot” Lifeline for the Internet age.

First, we propose to make Lifeline more efficient and impactful by establishing minimum standards of service for voice and broadband, so both beneficiaries and those who pay into the fund can know that they are getting the best value. But establishing minimum service levels is not enough to ensure that this program is serving its core mission. We also propose an overhaul of the way we determine eligibility for Lifeline. Currently, Lifeline providers are responsible for ensuring eligibility, a situation that invites waste and fraud while burdening those providers who do want to comply. We also ask about ways to target the Lifeline subsidy to those low-income consumers most in need of the support, which is one of the reform principles advanced by my colleague Commissioner Michael O’Rielly. We also seek comment on how to encourage more providers to participate in the program, increasing competition and consumer choice on price and service offerings. Getting Lifeline reform right won’t be easy. Fortunately, Lifeline reforms adopted in 2012 put the program on stable footing and laid the foundation for a comprehensive overhaul. I look forward to working with my colleagues to resolve the difficult questions before us. In particular, I want to commend Commissioner Mignon Clyburn for driving the important effort to further eliminate waste in the program and re-focus the program to better serve those who need it most.