This week, from September 11 to 15, 2023, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) aims to raise awareness about the Lifeline program, an essential communications resource for low-income Virginians. The Lifeline program, administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), offers a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on qualifying voice and broadband services for eligible subscribers.

To stay digitally connected, internet access is crucial for Virginians. If your income falls below a certain level – specifically, at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines – or if you participate in certain federal assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, FPHA, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, you may be eligible for the Lifeline benefit.

Enrollment in the Lifeline program can be facilitated by companies participating in the program. Additionally, you can use the National Verifier, an online tool, to check your eligibility and sign up for the Lifeline benefit. Contact your local service providers to inquire about their participation.

To obtain more information about the Lifeline program and the National Verifier, and to determine your eligibility, you can call 1-800-234-9473, email [email protected], or visit www.lifelinesupport.org or the FCC website at www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers. For any further inquiries, you may also get in touch with USAC at [email protected].