$400 Million in Savings Projected in 2013 for Lifeline Program

On February 12, 2013, the FCC released its most recent savings report, announcing that $214 million was saved in 2012 as a result of efforts to cut waste, fraud, and abuse from the Lifeline program.  This is a $4 million increase from the last report, issued on December 19, 2012.  See our entry on that report.  The FCC predicts a total savings of at least $400 million by the end of 2013.  The report attributes the savings to new rules implemented by the 2012 Lifeline Order, including the requirement that carriers re-certify their entire Lifeline subscriber base, the requirement that carriers obtain proof of income eligibility from new subscribers (instead of the self-certifications used previously), the elimination of most Link Up support, and the codification of the “one-per-household” rule for Lifeline services.  The FCC’s announcement is available here.