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FEDUnited States · May 30, 2026

FCC and USAC New Matching Program with Kentucky for Lifeline and ACP Eligibility

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The FCC and USAC are initiating a new computer matching program with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to verify eligibility for the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs.

The Bottom Line

This program aims to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse by cross-referencing applicant data with Kentucky's SNAP and Medicaid enrollment to confirm eligibility for federal assistance programs.

Highlights

  • The matching program will verify eligibility for the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs (ACP).
  • It involves the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
  • Eligibility will be confirmed by checking if applicants receive SNAP and Medicaid benefits administered by Kentucky.
  • The program is intended to reduce compliance costs for service providers and minimize waste, fraud, and abuse.
  • The matching program will commence on July 1, 2026, and conclude after 18 months.

Key Numbers

  • $3.2 billion in monthly consumer discounts for broadband service and one-time provider reimbursement for a connected device (laptop, desktop computer or tablet) for EBBP.
  • $14.2 billion provided for ACP.

Source Verification

Federal Communications Commission | Federal Government | 81 FR 33026, 89 FR 28777, 89 FR 28780, Public Law 116-260, Public Law 117-58

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Source receipt

✓ Quote-grounded
Federal Register — FCC
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/01/2026-10840/privacy-act-of-1974-matching-program
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Quoted passages this brief is built from (4)
  • "The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of Lifeline, and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), both of which are administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC."
    — SUMMARY
  • "The Commission found that the National Verifier would reduce compliance costs for Lifeline service providers, improve service for Lifeline subscribers, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the program."
    — SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
  • "The purpose of this new matching agreement is to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline, as well as to ACP and other Federal programs that use qualification for Lifeline as an eligibility criterion."
    — PURPOSE(S)
  • "The categories of records involved in the matching program include the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security Number, date of birth, first and last name."
    — CATEGORIES OF RECORDS