Even Californians without Social Security numbers should soon receive state subsidies that will make cellphone service more affordable.
The California Public Utilities Commission issued a proposed decision last week to provide California’s Universal Lifeline telephone service program, known as California Lifeline, to Californians without Social Security numbers.
The council will need to formally vote on the matter, with the first opportunity coming at its Aug. 22 meeting.
Ten years ago, the CPUC decided to stop requesting Social Security information from applicants, but then never did. This question was first raised by california affairs.
This committee is responsible for California Lifeline. Serve Provide qualified participants Monthly cell phone service discounts of up to $19, service connection discounts of up to $39, and a range of local, state and federal fees waived.
There is also a federal Lifeline program, but it has fewer discounts, including up to $9.25 off monthly service. Both services are available to customers at the same time, but the federal program still requires a Social Security number, according to the committee.
Chinese national Zhang Hao was using his cellphone at the Ellis Avenue station in San Diego as Border Patrol agents dropped him off with other asylum seekers.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
The service includes unlimited calls and texts and varying amounts of data.
Users of certain government programs may be eligible for discounts. Anyone who has registered public assistance programssuch as Medicaid and Medi-Cal, Section 8 Housing, CalFresh, or the Women, Infants, and Children Program (also known as WIC), qualify for program-based assistance.
Applicants may also qualify based on income. For example, a family of four would qualify if their annual gross income is $48,400 or less.
It’s unclear how many people will be affected by the council’s latest move. About 1.4 million Californians use the service, and enrollment in the program has increased 31.1% since June 2023, according to the commission.
The Pew Research Center estimates that there will be 1.8 million illegal immigrants in California in 2021.
Participants registered through a private phone provider. This is usually done by third-party providers (often “street teams”) who solicit in front of public buildings (such as social services welfare offices) or near supermarkets.
The service is funded by a surcharge charged to California cellphone customers.
However, the Public Utilities Commission’s ruling is not new.
Organization decides to drop Social Security numbers Application status in 2014, consider such a requirement to be a barrier to use for some people. At the time, the move was opposed by Cox Communications and other telecom companies concerned about fraud.
The committee requires government-issued identification in lieu of a Social Security number.
The Public Utilities Commission’s decision comes two years after the Federal Communications Commission revised the federal Lifeline program to require applicants to provide the last four digits of their Social Security number when applying.
The state Public Utilities Commission previously told CalMatters in February that it had “implemented the 2014 decision.” However, California Lifeline applications still require Social Security information.
The nonprofit Los Angeles Neighborhood Legal Services sent a letter to the commission on Aug. 30, 2023, requesting immediate enforcement of the 2014 ruling, according to commission documents.
Once the decision is formally approved, Social Security number applications are expected to be removed from Lifeline applications within three months, the committee said.
