FCC PARTNERS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO FACILITATE VETERANS’ ACCESS TO
THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY AND LIFELINE PROGRAMS
Will Streamline Eligibility Verification Through Sign-Up Process
Media Contact:
Anne Veigle
For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON, November 9, 2022—The Federal Communications Commission has launched a database
connection with the Veterans Benefits Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, to make it easier for veterans to sign up for the Affordable Connectivity and Lifeline Programs.
The connection will enable automatic eligibility verification of Veterans receiving qualifying pension
benefits, who seek to apply for the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity and Lifeline Programs.
Veterans who
have their eligibility automatically determined by the FCC’s National Verifier will not need to
submit
additional eligibility documentation to enroll in the two programs. The Affordable Connectivity
Program
has served nearly 15 million people to date.
“I’m proud of this initiative to help our Veterans more easily get affordable online digital
benefits that
can open doors to education, health care and job opportunities,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “Both
of these programs are already available to eligible Veterans, but with today’s action we’re
making it a lot
easier to quickly get qualified. I thank our government partners for their work on this project,
and for
their ongoing commitment to closing the digital divide for Veterans who have given so much in service
to our country.”
“This partnership between FCC and VA is a great step forward, paving the way for many Veterans
to
automatically access programs that will help them afford broadband and phone services,” said Josh
Jacobs, VA’s Senior Advisor for Policy Performing the Delegable Duties of the Under Secretary
for
Benefits. “This will not only improve the lives of Veterans and their families—including
those living in
rural areas and those with low income—it will also make it easier for them to access the benefits
they
have earned and deserve.”
The Lifeline program provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 for consumers accessing internet
service and up to $34.25 for such households on qualifying Tribal lands. The Affordable Connectivity
Program (ACP) provides a separate monthly discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for
eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Thus, non-Tribal
households participating in both ACP and Lifeline could receive a discount of up to $39.25. Eligible
households participating in the ACP can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a
laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and
less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The FCC and Veterans Benefit Administration have an agreement for the automatic eligibility verification
of Veterans receiving qualifying pension benefits who seek to apply for the FCC’s ACP and Lifeline
programs. Veterans who have their eligibility automatically determined by the FCC’s National
Verifier
will not need to submit additional eligibility documentation to enroll in these programs. Currently,
those seeking to qualify for ACP or Lifeline based on their participation in the qualifying pension
programs need to provide documentation confirming their eligibility.
This database connection is a continuation of the FCC’s work with state and federal partners to
secure
access to databases that allow for automated program eligibility checks for affordability programs.
Since the National Verifier can be used to apply for both ACP and Lifeline, this will streamline the
process for Veterans to apply for both programs and receive affordable internet service.
For more information on the ACP and Lifeline Programs, see: https://www.fcc.gov/acp and
https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers.
Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission
Date Issued: 11/9/2022