National Lifeline Association Seeks $30/Month Lifeline Benefit

The National Lifeline Association (NaLA) submitted a petition to the Federal Communications Commission requesting that the FCC temporarily waive the Lifeline reimbursement amounts in the Commission’s rules until Congress allocates additional funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) or passes broader legislation to reform the Universal Service Fund (USF) and pay for the ACP in an alternative manner. Specifically, NaLA requests that the FCC (1) increase the basic support amount from $9.25 per month to $30 per month; and (2) increase the Tribal lands support amount from $25 to $45 for a total reimbursement of $75 per month until Congress allocates additional funding for the ACP. Granting this petition would temporarily raise the Lifeline reimbursement amounts to match the current maximum reimbursement amounts available for subscribers eligible for ACP.