Published: September 2012

Including CHIP as a Lifeline-qualifying assistance program helps the working poor

Coalition: Lifeline Consumers Coalition

Including CHIP as a Lifeline-qualifying assistance program would substantially lower the economic barrier to telephone service for working poor families, a group the federal and state governments have identified as unable to afford health coverage for their children.

CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), a state and federal partnership program that works closely with Medicaid, is not currently a qualifying federal assistance program, except in states where CHIP is administered as part of Medicaid. In a letter to the FCC, Consumer Action and advocates recommend adding CHIP to the list of qualifying assistance programs in order to advance the goal of ensuring universal availability of telecommunications services to low-income consumers.

Other Organizations

Alliance for Retired | Community Action Partnership | Consumer Action | Hispanic Federation | League of United Latin American Citizens | Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition

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Including CHIP as a Lifeline-qualifying assistance program helps the working poor   (CHIP.pdf)