Survey: 7 in 10 Older Americans Say Don't Mess With Wireless Lifeline Benefits

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Older Americans agree:  Congress and state lawmakers should not restrict their access to federal wireless Lifeline, which often is inaccurately referred to as the "Obamaphone" program.  A survey conducted by ORC International (ORC) and sponsored by Keeping Americans Connected to Opportunity makes it clear that seniors believe they should get continue to get access to wireless Lifeline and other benefits that have been promised to them.

Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, said:  "This is just a question of fundamental fairness.  A large number of older Americans on fixed incomes benefit from the wireless Lifeline program.  It is their connection to health care, part-time work, needed community services, and law enforcement help.  These are exactly the kind of people that wireless Lifeline was set up to serve and they should not be subject to either losing access or having to pay a fee or tax in in order to participate."

Highlights of the ORC survey of older Americans (60 and older) found:

• Just over two thirds (67 percent) believe that retirees and other older Americans are entitled to wireless Lifeline and other programs for which they are qualified.
• Nearly three quarters (72 percent) of older Americans say it would be "unfair" to start imposing a fee or tax on the wireless Lifeline program.
• Over half (53 percent) say they would be "less likely to have or use a cell phone" if $5 in monthly fees or taxes were added to their cell phone bills.  Fewer than two in five (38 percent) said they would have no problem with such an increase in their household expenses.
• Two thirds of older Americans agree that it would be unfair to end seniors' access to existing federal programs – including wireless Lifeline.
• About one in 10 older Americans (9 percent) say they either are currently on the Lifeline wireless program or have been in the past.

ABOUT THE SURVEY

The survey findings about older Americans were based on a telephone study conducted by the ORC International for Keeping Americans Connected to Opportunity from July 8-13, 2014.  The study was conducted using a probability sample consisting of 809 adults (60 years of age and older) living in the continental United States.  The margin of error is plus/minus 3.46 percent.

Full findings from the survey of older Americans is available online at www.KACOUSA.org.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS

The Alliance for Retired Americans is a nationwide organization with 4.3 million members working together to make their voices heard in the laws, policies, politics, and institutions that shape our lives. 

Keeping Americans Connected to Opportunity (KACO) is a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to promoting and preserving Low Income Lifeline, particularly wireless Lifeline, in a time when this program and many others like it are being attacked.  For more information, go to www.KACOUSA.org.

SOURCE Alliance for Retired Americans; Keeping Americans Connected to Opportunity (KACO)