Free or subsidized cell phone service is available to low-income households in Oklahoma through the Lifeline program. This federal program began in 1985 to ensure that low-income Americans have the opportunities and security a phone can provide by connecting them to jobs, families, and emergency services.
You must have income at or below 135% of the poverty guidelines to qualify. You also need proof of your eligibility, which includes copies of certain documents.
Benefits
The program subsidizes monthly phone and internet services for millions of Americans. In addition to allowing people to communicate with family and friends, it can connect them to job opportunities and other social support programs. Lifeline is a valuable resource for low-income families in times of increasing poverty. Unfortunately, the federal agency in charge of the program is making it more difficult for low-income families to participate. The FCC’s proposed changes would require applicants to answer invasive personal finance questions and to verify that they receive a government assistance program.
The Lifeline program in Oklahoma is based on household income and participation in one of the following government assistance programs: Medicaid, SNAP, Medicare, Section 8 Housing, or TANF. You can also qualify for the ACP benefit by showing that you or a household member is pregnant, disabled, or blind. You can apply for the service by calling the Oklahoma Lifeline office or visiting their website.
State regulators are working to ensure that Lifeline discounts remain available for all eligible residents. They are also preparing for the federal decision to redefine former reservation lands as Lifeline-eligible. The change will affect many people in Oklahoma City. The move will also impact telephone companies that provide Lifeline services, reimbursed by the Federal Communications Commission from Universal Service Fund fees collected on phone bills.
Eligibility
Since 1985, the federal Lifeline program has subsidized telephone service for qualifying low-income households. Currently, the program also offers discounted internet access to eligible subscribers. Various Lifeline providers provide this service. The company is a top Lifeline provider in Oklahoma and several other states. To qualify, a subscriber must prove their eligibility by providing acceptable proof of income or program participation.
Eligibility is based on total household income, determined by state and federal poverty guidelines. The FCC has also expanded the program by adding broadband internet to the eligible services list. In addition to a monthly discount on phone and internet services, the Lifeline program offers participants one-time discounts on smartphones or other internet-capable devices.
In addition to making communications services more affordable, Lifeline is intended to help the nation stay connected with jobs and opportunities. However, a series of recent abuses and other problems have raised concerns over the integrity and effectiveness of the program. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is implementing reforms to address these issues. For example, it establishes a national verifier to make independent subscriber eligibility determinations for the program.
Many local county DHS offices across the country work with the FCC to assist low-income families in paying their phone bills or purchasing devices. Some of these offices also offer assistance in paying connection fees and deposits for service.
Installation
The famous black-and-white depression-era photograph of a low-income family packing their belongings to leave Oklahoma has become synonymous with the state’s struggles. The economy has improved dramatically in the 80 years since that photo was taken, but Oklahoma’s families continue to struggle. Many have been forced to rely on public assistance, such as food stamps and Medicaid. These families need reliable phone and broadband services to access healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
However, they need help getting these services. For one, it is challenging to determine if they qualify for Lifeline, and it is even more challenging to sign up with an eligible service provider. Many of these programs require applicants to fill out multiple forms, wait for a response, and verify their eligibility continuously. Moreover, many states have separate processes for verifying Lifeline eligibility, making it difficult to determine whether an applicant is eligible for the program.
Fortunately, there are ways to bypass these hurdles and make getting Lifeline easy for everyone involved. The FCC has made a series of reforms to curb waste and fraud. Still, the commission should prioritize further measures, including implementing a national verifier allowing an independent party to confirm eligibility.
Payment
The Lifeline program provides eligible low-income households a monthly discount of up to $30 (or $75 if you live on tribal land) for broadband internet service. The discount is available from authorized service providers, also known as carriers, partnered with the Federal Communications Commission to provide low-cost telecommunications services for Lifeline participants. However, only one Lifeline benefit is permitted per household, and subscribers must recertify their eligibility each year.
The FCC has made several reforms to Lifeline to reduce fraud and waste, but the agency’s chairman says the program is still plagued by abuse. He cites a case in Oklahoma where a telephone company defrauded $25 million by using Lifeline benefits to market services to phantom customers. He says the FCC needs to impose stricter eligibility rules and implement robust verification processes to prevent such abuse.
Eligible applicants must meet specific income requirements or receive public aid to qualify for the program. It includes SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, TANF, SSI disability, and free school lunches. In addition, they must be at or below 135% of the poverty guideline or have a fixed income.
The state’s telephone companies are preparing for federal changes that could affect the Lifeline program in Oklahoma. The changes will redefine former reservation lands and could cut off most of the state’s urban areas from enhanced Lifeline subsidies, funded through Universal Service Fund fees on phone bills.
