Lifeline Assistance Program Under Threat
Posted on April 9, 2026 by David Beltrán Barajas | CUB Oregon
Tags, General Interest, Energy
Oregon assistance programs are under threat again! The Trump administration is once again putting assistance programs that help Oregonians in its crosshairs. This time, they’re targeting the Lifeline program. Federal regulators are using the same old language of cutting down fraud and streamlining this program, but we know that this is just another attempt to cut government assistance programs that benefit real people.
On February 18, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission proposed new rulemaking for the federal Lifeline Program. Lifeline is a federal program focused on getting families in need access to voice and internet services.
This rule-making is reminiscent of the past year of budget cuts and attacks on federal assistance programs, just like what we saw happen to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) during the November government shutdown. CUB is sounding the alarm and getting involved federally to protect this program, keeping Oregonians connected to to vital phone and internet services!
What is Oregon Lifeline
The Oregon Lifeline program is a federally funded and state-funded government assistance program focused on helping low-income families get connected with voice and internet services. Additionally, the program also seeks to help Native American communities, which have historically lacked connectivity and digital equity.
While Oregon has its own funding source for the Oregon Lifeline, which is funded by small fees from internet and phone bills, the amount in our state fund is not enough to make up for the loss of federal assistance for Oregonians who rely on the program.
The big impact on Oregon would be the inability to keep our most in-need community members connected to the internet. The program currently helps provide $100 rebates for phones and internet devices, and this rulemaking could jeopardize that assistance.
FCC Proposes Rules That Limit Access to Lifeline
The FCC claims that changes are needed to ensure Americans are receiving funds for the program, as well as to strengthen the integrity of Lifeline. At its core, it’s the same argument used for cutting and scaling back other federal assistance programs.
The Trump administration’s FCC is specifically citing fraud from deceased people receiving the program’s benefits. Currently, Texas, California, and Oregon are the only states exempt from the death check required for enrollment into Lifeline. FCC Chair Brendan Carr claims that 80% of fraud is centered in California, and the commission has already taken steps to rectify this. The staff at the Oregon Public Utility Commission regularly reviews and addresses this issue as part of administering the state program.
So why add additional steps that could harm those in the program?
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has said that the proposed rules take some actions to fight fraud. In reality, it would result in less access to the Lifeline program for low-income families who rely on it. This is just another excuse to roll back federal funding of assistance programs that working-class Oregonians desperately need.
The impact of changing the rules in the name of “fraud” would mean that it would be even harder for households to receive help. The changes could cut many off from phone and internet services. More burdensome verification processes and requirements could exclude immigrants, unhoused people, and more. It could also make it impossible to access assistance if you don’t already have phone or internet service—the exact reason why many people need these funds!
What is CUB doing about this?
CUB is joining other advocates in pushing back against this proposal. The FCC currently has a public comment period open through May 4, 2026. Here, communities can share their thoughts related to the proposed rule changes. This will be a critical place for CUB members and Oregonians to take action and ensure that Lifeline is preserved in Oregon.
Take Action: Contact Your Legislators
We’re also asking that Oregonians reach out to their federal lawmakers and urge them to support this issue.
Your U.S. legislators need to hear from you! You can call or email your legislators directly and ask them to support protecting the Lifeline program (find your elected officials here).
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04/15/26 | 0 Comments | Lifeline Assistance Program Under Threat