Chairman Pai's Response Regarding the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier

On Aug 2, Reps Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Mike Doyle (D-PA), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Kathy Castor (D-FL), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) wrote to the Federal Communications Commission to urge the agency delay any future hard launch of the Lifeline National Eligibility Verifier (National Verifier) in a state until the FCC establishes connections to Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) databases for Lifeline eligibility verification in that state. "This action would help ensure that Americans eligible for Lifeline are not incorrectly rejected from the program." On Sept 19, Rep Eshoo wrote to Chairman Pai that she was thrilled to read the FCC's announcement that the National Verifier is now connected to the Medicaid database. 

On Dec 2, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai responded that as of Sept 17, the National Verified has completed an automated connection with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to verify the eligibility of applicants who participate in Medicaid. He noted that FCC staff and USAC continue to work closely with the Dept of Veterans Affairs to achieve an automated connection to verify Lifeline eligibility for consumers receiving benefits through the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits programs.