federal Lifeline program will see some big changes

Nearly a million low-income Floridians who are enrolled in the Lifeline telephone service will see less of a discount on their phone service beginning next month.

Under the federal Lifeline program, telephone consumers who participate in certain public assistance programs were entitled to receive a basic telephone service discount of at least $13.50 per month – or more than $160 per year – from the federal Universal Service Fund.  

Beginning next month, however, the monthly discount will drop by 75 cents a month to 12 dollars and 75 cents.

The Public Service Commission approved the reduction this week because of reductions in funding at the federal level.
The Federal Communications Commission said the process for setting the program’s monthly bill credit has become outdated and the commission is currently working to decide the appropriate reimbursement amount – which means the program could see more cuts in the future.
The cut in the program is expected to take effect next Monday but could be delayed so phone companies can meet tariff and notification requirements.
People using the lifeline service will see another change beginning in June.
On June 1st the state will eliminate Florida’s simplified certification process, which allows consumers to sign a document certifying their participation in a qualifying federal assistance program.
The FCC found that self-certification does not effectively prevent ineligible consumers from enrolling in Lifeline.


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