FCC Extends COVID Waivers Impacting Lifeline, Affordable Connectivity Program Tribal Subscribers

In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau has waived certain Lifeline program rules in thirteen previous Orders to provide relief for low-income households. The Bureau finds good cause exists to continue to waive the Lifeline recertification and re-verification requirements for those Lifeline subscribers residing on Tribal lands through April 30, 2023. This waiver also addresses the potential impact it may have on subscribers of the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs (ACP) that were required to undergo recertification for the calendar year 2022. The FCC will continue to monitor the situation to determine whether any additional extension of these waivers is appropriate, but given the generally improving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased connectivity between the National Verifier and relevant databases, it anticipates that this will likely be the Bureau’s final extension of these waivers.