Florida PSC Approves Lifeline Phone Changes

March 28, 2012

Prompted by the federal government, the Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved changes in the Lifeline subsidized phone service for low-income residents.

The changes include reducing the amount of monthly credits that enrollees can receive from $13.50 to $12.75. Also, the changes include elimination of a process in which people can sign a document certifying that they are eligible for the program.

The Federal Communications Commission earlier this year required changes in Lifeline programs across the country, saying the changes are needed to “reform and modernize” the program.

In part, the changes reflect a shift from land-line to mobile phones and an effort to expand broadband communications.

Lifeline is financed through what is known as the Universal Service Fund, which is a charge on telephone customers’ bills.

The federal government will reduce the amount of credits that it provides for Lifeline customers in Florida from $10 to $9.25. A state share will remain at $3.50.

Also, the elimination of the self-certification process is part of a FCC push to reduce fraud. PSC officials say Florida has been successful in limiting fraud and has developed a computerized system with the Department of Children and Families in which phone companies can verify eligibility. PSC member

Lisa Edgar, however, expressed concerns Tuesday about the changes after the state has made efforts in recent years to increase enrollment. The PSC’s staff said it will look for ways to make sure enrollment is as easy as possible.

By The News Service of Florida

Comments

3 Responses to “Florida PSC Approves Lifeline Phone Changes”

  1. S.L.B on March 28th, 2012 3:10 pm

    First, the lifeline phone service changes that are discussed in this story above is concerning land lines, not cell phones.

    Second, the many people who also receive this benefit, which helps them out greatly, are also the senior citizens and the disabled, who because of that reason, fall in the low income bracket.

    Please note that everyone who falls into the low income bracket are not all lazy, irresponsible people, but educated, responsible and once upon a time, very hard workers holding down jobs and/or careers in our society.

    People shouldn’t be so quick to judge other people in general, when you don’t really know their circumstances and why they might need the assistance. Just saying!

  2. David Huie Green on March 28th, 2012 1:09 pm

    REGARDING:
    “When did having a cell phone become a Necessity? Why should I pay for someone else to have a cell phone?”

    I think they’re talking about land lines.

    Regardless, it isn’t really a necessity, if one defines a necessity as something which you die if you don’t have.

    Every now and then, though, that definition applies. You may die if you can’t call for an ambulance, fire suppression, law enforcement protection.

    My understanding is that the cell phone concept is that people seeking jobs can’t find them if they don’t have some way for prospective employers to reach them. Therefore, having a cell phone available may reduce unemployment.

    (In practice, it often means some people have phone service for the first few days after the first of the month after which they’ve used up all their minutes until the next month. It is still handy for 911 calls, which, again, may save a life.)

    Don’t worry about it, the Chinese are loaning us the money to finance these programs too if the fees the rest of us pay don‘t cover it. This is extremely generous of them since over a billion of them have less than the poorest in this country do.

    David for appreciation

  3. Melissa on March 28th, 2012 10:16 am

    When did having a cell phone become a Necessity? Why should I pay for someone else to have a cell phone? Hello people, open your eyes. We are being taxed to death so that lazy irresponsible people can have everything they “need.”

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News