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In the past, the FCC has proposed dramatically limiting help to millions of low-income families who rely on Lifeline for phone and internet services. This radical change to the Lifeline program will cut off access to affordable internet and voice services that are essential in today’s classrooms, job market, healthcare system, information-based society and economy. Lifeline allows children to complete homework at home and adults to find jobs and thrive in the marketplace.

Tell the FCC to protect the Lifeline program and the more than 12 million low-income households that rely on the program for voice and broadband services.

File a comment with the FCC ||  Other actions you can take || Resources for Saving the Lifeline Program

When filing a comment with the FCC, be sure to note the Proceeding number: 17-287.

YOUR COMMENTS TO THE FCC WILL BE FILED IN A PUBLIC PROCEEDING. DO NOT INCLUDE ANY SENSITIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION, SUCH AS YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

In your comment to the FCC, explain in your own words, why you care about the Lifeline program. In your first sentence, include your full name, city/town and state. Below are some reasons why people support Lifeline but a comment submitted with your own concerns will have the greatest effect.

Lifeline is the only program that directly helps low-income households afford voice and broadband services so that parents can find work or check in with their employers, children can complete their homework at home, people can speak with their doctors about their prescriptions or health concerns, and families can experience the benefits of connectivity enjoyed by their peers.

The former FCC Chairman’s proposal to significantly reduce the Lifeline program’s budget would have led to rationing of critical services among low-income consumers, particularly those families in urban areas. And by limiting Lifeline program participants to carriers that own their own facilities, the FCC will remove 75% of the current Lifeline providers, thus severely limiting the reach of Lifeline assistance and consumer choice.

Low-income households everywhere in the nation deserve affordable access to voice and internet through Lifeline. Please continue to allow a variety of Lifeline providers in the program so people have a choice of wireless and lines to the home.

Other actions you can take

  • Share your stories about how the Lifeline program has made an impact.
  • Tweet at your senators and representatives to urge them to raise concerns with the FCC over their constituent’s impending loss of vital services.
  • Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper urging the FCC to stop their latest attacks on an open and affordable internet. Here’s how!

Resources for Saving the Lifeline Program

* Note that if you take action, you will receive periodic updates about this campaign and NCLC’s other work.