Reps. Elaine Luria (D., Va.) and John Katko (R., N.Y.) have introduced a bill that would require the FCC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), to survey SNAP recipients on whether they are enrolled in the FCC's Lifeline program.SNAP recipients are automatically eligible for Lifeline assistance with their monthly phone or broadband bills, but they must enroll to receive the benefit.The proposed Ensuring Phone and Internet Access for SNAP Recipients Act also would require a report projecting five-year enrollment in Lifeline and ways to improve outreach.Rep. Luria said, "One of the biggest lessons we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic was that internet access is a necessity. Many people who are already eligible for SNAP benefits are unaware that they also qualify for the Lifeline Program. This bipartisan bill will help expand internet access to families throughout Coastal Virginia and our nation." Rep. Katko said, "As our nation increasingly relies on [phone and Internet] services for healthcare, education, and employment, this bill will help ensure essential access for un-derserved families in Central New York and across the country."
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