Lifeline Grows in Florida

In December 2012, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) released its Annual Report on the Lifeline program.  This year’s report found that participation in the Lifeline program in Florida grew 9.7 percent from July 2011 through June 2012, due in part to the slow economy.  As of June 30, 2012, over 1 million eligible Floridians were participating in the program and over 83% of those Lifeline-eligible customers are receiving Lifeline service through wireless service providers.  Florida PSC Chairman Ronald Brisé released a statement about the report, in which he said: “I am pleased that through targeted outreach and the implementation of FCC rule changes to curb program abuse, more eligible Floridians are aware of, and benefit from, the Lifeline program . . [w]ithout Lifeline, countless Florida households couldn’t contact health care providers, government and community services, work opportunities, or family and friends.”