New Bill Aims to Boost Lifeline Enrollment: The Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

On May 1, 2026, Representatives Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced the Promoting Access to Broadband Act (H.R.8576/S.4438) — a bipartisan effort to close the enormous gap between the number of households eligible for the FCC's Lifeline program and those actually enrolled. If passed, this legislation would represent the most significant congressional action on Lifeline enrollment in years.

The Problem: Millions Left Behind

The numbers tell a stark story. As of 2024, only about 8.79 million households were enrolled in Lifeline out of an estimated 38.5 million eligible households nationwide. That means roughly 78% of qualifying Americans are missing out on free or heavily subsidized phone and internet service they're entitled to.

After the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended in May 2024, Lifeline became the sole federal subsidy program keeping low-income households connected. Yet enrollment has barely budged. The reasons are familiar to anyone who has navigated the system: complicated applications, lack of awareness, language barriers, and administrative hurdles that discourage people before they even start.

What the Bill Proposes

The Promoting Access to Broadband Act takes a state-driven approach to closing the enrollment gap. Here are the key provisions:

Competitive Grant Program

The bill would create a competitive grant program administered by the FCC, awarding funds to states that develop effective strategies to increase Lifeline enrollment. States could use grants for:

Outreach campaigns targeting underserved communities, including multilingual advertising and community events
Application assistance programs that provide one-on-one help for applicants navigating the National Verifier system
Partnerships with community organizations like food banks, health clinics, and schools that already serve eligible populations
Technology improvements to simplify the online enrollment process

Accountability and Reporting

The bill requires the FCC to submit regular reports to Congress on:

Grant recipient performance and enrollment outcomes
Which outreach strategies prove most effective
Demographic breakdowns of newly enrolled households
Recommendations for further program improvements

This data-driven approach ensures that taxpayer dollars fund approaches that actually work, rather than one-size-fits-all mandates.

Why This Matters Now

The timing couldn't be more critical. Several concurrent developments make boosting enrollment especially urgent in 2026:

The FCC's Integrity Rulemaking

In February 2026, the FCC launched a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) focused on strengthening program integrity. While cracking down on fraud is important, advocacy groups worry that tighter verification requirements could further depress enrollment among legitimate subscribers — exactly the wrong direction when millions of eligible people already aren't signed up.

The Promoting Access to Broadband Act offers a counterbalance: making it easier for real eligible households to enroll while the FCC works on weeding out improper ones.

State Verification Transitions

California, Texas, and Oregon are all transitioning to the federal National Verifier system. California's split enrollment process — requiring separate applications for federal Lifeline and state LifeLine — took effect in February 2026 and has already confused many subscribers. Texas and Oregon may follow, affecting roughly 2.1 million existing subscribers.

States receiving grants under this bill could fund dedicated staff to help residents navigate these confusing transitions.

Tribal Lands

On Tribal lands, the Lifeline benefit is significantly higher — $34.25 per month compared to the standard $9.25. Yet enrollment on Tribal lands remains disproportionately low. Targeted outreach funded by these grants could make a real difference for Native American communities that need connectivity most.

What You Can Do While Congress Acts

Legislation takes time. If you or someone you know might qualify for Lifeline, there's no reason to wait for this bill to become law. Here's how to get started today:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

You generally qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (approximately $21,546/year for a single person in 2026) or if you participate in programs like Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension benefits. Use our eligibility checker to find out in minutes.

Step 2: Compare Providers

Not all Lifeline providers offer the same phones, data allowances, or network coverage. Some include unlimited data on T-Mobile or Verizon networks. Compare providers in your area to find the best fit.

Step 3: Apply Online

The National Verifier system allows most applicants to complete the entire process online. Our step-by-step apply guide walks you through every screen and explains what documents you'll need.

Step 4: Maintain Your Benefit

Once enrolled, remember that you must recertify your eligibility annually. The rules changed in 2026 — recertification now uses automated database checks, but if that fails, you'll have a 60-day window to submit documentation manually. Don't risk losing your service by missing the deadline.

Looking Ahead

The Promoting Access to Broadband Act is still early in the legislative process. It needs to pass both the House and Senate and be signed into law. But it signals growing recognition in Congress that the Lifeline program's biggest problem isn't fraud — it's that most people who qualify don't even know about it.

If the bill passes, states that move quickly to apply for grants could see enrollment surges as early as 2027. In the meantime, the most effective thing any of us can do is spread the word: if you know someone who might qualify, point them to our eligibility checker or provider directory. A free phone and monthly service might be just a few clicks away.