Veterans and their families who receive pension benefits will soon be able to more easily get subsidized telephone and broadband service.

“The Lifeline program has evolved over the years to reflect both changes in telecommunications services and the emerging needs in our society,” Kentucky Public Service Commission Chairman Michael Schmitt said in a news release. “Easing access for eligible veterans and their survivors is the right thing to do.”

Lifeline will undergo changes beginning Dec. 2 in which the program, which offers subsidized telephone service, will begin to offer broadband service as well. Low-income residents who receive Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will continue to be on the program.

“Some programs including (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), the school lunch program and Temporary Assistance for the Needy Program have been eliminated for qualification,” said Andrew Melnykovych, director of communications at the Kentucky Public Service Commission in Frankfort. “The (Federal Communications Commission) has changed eligibility for the Lifeline program.”

The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs is getting veterans prepared at their service centers, Melnykovych said.

“There will still be an income threshold for the veterans programs,” he said.

Going into next year, work will begin on instituting a different way of verifying eligibility for all who qualify, including veterans, with an electronic database, Melnykovych said.

“They felt it was the population that needed greater ease of the Lifeline program. It’s easy for them to show eligibility. As long as you have documentation of veterans benefits, that qualifies you for the Lifeline program,” he said. “The provider will be able to contact a clearinghouse. The clearinghouse will verify the information. The database will see if they’re getting duplicate services.”

Lifeline currently provides a subsidy of up to $12.75 per month for eligible Kentucky households to maintain a single telephone line, which may be either landline or wireless. The federal government provides $9.25 of the subsidy, while Kentucky contributes $3.50.

Broadband providers will be able to offer either wireless or a fixed service such as cable, DSL or fiber optic, according to a news release. Because the PSC does not regulate broadband, the $3.50 state subsidy will not be available for broadband-only service in Kentucky.

Lifeline subsidies will remain limited to one per household. Customers will have to choose whether to obtain federally subsidized service from a telephone or broadband provider. The state subsidy may only be used for voice service provided by wireless or landline telephone.

— For more information about the Lifeline program, go to https://www.fcc.gov/general/lifeline-program-low-income-consumers.

— Follow features reporter Alyssa Harvey on Twitter @bgdnfeatures or visit bgdailynews.com.