Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) applauded the Federal Communication Commission’s implementation of a key provision of her Safe Connections Act. The Lifeline program will help survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes get discounted phone, internet, or bundled services. Survivors can now also make a request with their service provider to separate their mobile phone lines from family plans shared with their abusers.

“Survivors of abuse and domestic violence face numerous challenges on their path to healing—it’s essential they have access to support as they rebuild their lives,” said Kuster. “I’m pleased to see the FCC take essential steps to implement my Safe Connections Act by providing discounted phone and internet plans through the Lifeline Program. This critical provision will help survivors separate themselves from their abusers without worrying about financial burdens as they get their expenses in order.”

The FCC’s Lifeline Program is designed to help ease the financial burden for survivors separating from mobile plans shared with their abusers. Survivors can participate in the Lifeline program if they provide proof of a line separation request and are experiencing financial hardship and can receive up to six months of emergency Lifeline support.

Kuster’s Safe Connections Act was signed into law in late 2022 to help survivors protect themselves from abusers by:

• Allowing survivors to separate a mobile phone line from any shared plan involving an abuser without penalties or other requirements. This includes lines of any dependents in their care;
• Requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to seek comment on how to help survivors who separate from a shared plan enroll in the Lifeline Program for up to six months as they become financially stable; and
• Requiring the FCC to establish rules that would ensure any calls or texts to hotlines do not appear on call logs.

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