MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Telecom experts say federal cell phone subsidies that expired last month could hit homeless Vermonters especially hard. The affordable connectivity program has been providing $30 subsidies for their cell phone bill.
The program, which served about 24-thousand households, expired in May. At a key hearing this week in front of lawmakers, experts said homeless Vermonters and those living in poverty, won’t be able to access emergency medical services.
“In order to make government services accessible to this population we need to bring service to where they are and not make them ask to come into our systems and locations to get these services. we need to meet people where they are to get these services in my opinion.” said Hunter Thompson of the Department of Public Service.
The expiration of the affordable connectivity program comes as new data shows afford ability challenges. A survey from the Department of Public Service, shows that 16 percent of people under 45 reported the cost of their cell phone bill affected what items they can afford.