Job losses have been on an all-time high during the pandemic, leaving numerous families without a source of livelihood. Among the hardest-hit industries with almost half a million jobs lost were the leisure and the hospitality sector.
A new Pew Research survey indicates that one in four adults have had trouble paying their bills since the covid-19 outbreak, and up to a third dipped into their savings or retirement benefits to meet their needs. Those who didn’t lose their jobs have had to take a pay cut or reduce work hours.
How Lifeline can help you
The FCC’s Lifeline program aims at reducing the burden through affordable communications. This ensures you can afford contemporary broadband services for easier access to healthcare, jobs, and educational resources.
Mobile technology has evolved over the years to become a necessity, and more critical during the current crisis. Business and life are much easier for users thanks to smartphones and other handheld devices. You can video conference, send and download files from the internet, and do other activities necessary to make life and business easier.
Lifeline Subscriber Discounts
As a subscriber, you earn a discount on monthly broadband internet service, telephone service, or bundled voice broadband from participating providers. The monthly discount is currently set at $9.25 for eligible low-income subscribers. For those on tribal lands, it is $34.25 per month.
FCC has taken various steps to keep the affected connected. They have temporarily waived re-verification, recertification, subscriber usage, document requirements, and income documentation for those in Tribal lands rural areas. You will not be removed involuntarily during this difficult time, at least until June 30, 2021.
The program is also available if you lost your job during the pandemic. You will no longer be required to provide at least three months’ income statement to qualify.
Check your eligibility and apply through the FCC’s centralized system, the National Verifier application system. You can also use approved service providers such as the low income cell service Oklahoma or use the program service provider locator tool to find one in your area.