Posted on 02/15/2022 5:47:51 AM PST by Recovering_Democrat
Vice President Kamala Harris touts the Biden administration's efforts to get low-income Americans access to a $30 per month subsidy for broadband.
.... The subsidy was made possible through the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill Congress passed last year.
In remarks at the White House, Harris noted it was an important milestone as President Joe Biden and his administration work toward closing the digital divide and ensuring every American has access to high-speed affordable broadband service.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnet.com ...
Kamala is pretending to care.
So we all get to pay $90 a month ... so the permanent leisure class can get it for $20.
Meanwhile folks who worked hard, followed the rules and did the right thing........suckers.
Internet access subsidies by the government? What could possibly be the end game there? Jeezy.
Torture them all and give them Comcast.
More redistribution of wealth from the middle class to the welfare state.
Being increasing alarmed at the growth of the social state and national debt, then after I read today that “Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a new long-term, $14 billion program, with “new ways to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program such as: receiving WIC benefits or having an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines [levels],” then I decided to investigate and expose some of this growing dependency upon government.
Note that while the national debt presently stands at over 29 trillion dollars and rising, yet partly due to Covid-19 and supererogatory measures (both are judgments from God) to control it, 61% of Americans paid no federal income taxes in 2020.
Reading “200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines” promoted me to investigate that first, and which means, for instance, that while for a household of three the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) would be $21,960 yet 200% of the FPL would be $43,920 (compared with $29,646 last year), and would qualify that household for $30 a month discount for high-speed Internet and “eligible households also can receive a onetime discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if the consumer contributes $10 to $50 toward the purchase price.” “The $14.2 billion Affordable Connectivity Program is just a part of roughly $65 billion to improve access to high-quality, high-speed internet access contained in the bipartisan infrastructure bill that President Joe Biden signed into law Nov. 15.” (https://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/info-2021/fcc-subsidy-helps-broadband-internet-access.html)
However, as reported here, the official poverty measure is based on cash income only, which fails to capture all the resources available to a family including tax credits and in-kind transfers. Also, the official measure of family resources is biased due to under-reporting of certain types of income that are commonly received by those with low reported income.
What are Federal Poverty Guidelines/Levels (FPL)?
The Federal Poverty Guidelines are federally set “poverty lines” that indicate the minimum amount of annual income that an individual / family needs to pay for essentials, such as housing, utilities, clothing, food, and transportation. These guidelines, also called Federal Poverty Levels (FPLs), are based on the size of a household and the state in which one resides. FPLs are the same in 48 of the 50 states. The two exceptions are Alaska and Hawaii, which have higher Federal Poverty Levels due to the higher cost of living. As an example, in 2021, the annual FPL for an individual in Alaska is $16,090, in Hawaii it is $14,820, and in the remainder of the states it is $12,880...
The exact percentage of the FPL used for eligibility purposes varies based on the program and the state...
# of Persons in Household | 2021 Federal Poverty Level for the 48 Contiguous States (Annual Income) | ||||||
100% | 133% | 138% | 150% | 200% | 300% | 400% | |
1 | $12,880 | $17,130 | $17,774 | $19,320 | $25,760 | $38,640 | $51,520 |
2 | $17,420 | $23,169 | $24,040 | $26,130 | $34,840 | $52,260 | $69,680 |
3 | $21,960 | $29,207 | $30,305 | $32,940 | $43,920 | $65,880 | $87,840 |
4 | $26,500 | $35,245 | $36,570 | $39,750 | $53,000 | $79,500 | $106,000 |
5 | $31,040 | $41,283 | $42,835 | $46,560 | $62,080 | $93,120 | $124,160 |
6 | $35,580 | $47,321 | $49,100 | $53,370 | $71,160 | $106,740 | $142,320 |
7 | $40,120 | $53,360 | $55,366 | $60,180 | $80,240 | $120,360 | $160,480 |
8 | $44,660 | $59,398 | $61,631 | $66,990 | $89,320 | $133,980 | $178,640 |
Add $4,540 for each person in household over 8 persons | |||||||
The Federal Benefit Rate, abbreviated as FBR, is the maximum amount to which an aged, blind or disabled person who qualifies for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is able to receive in monthly cash benefits. In 2021, the maximum FBR is $794 for a single individual and $1,191 for a married couple...(https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/federal-poverty-guidelines)
What programs use FPL guidelines?
Several programs use either 100% of the poverty guidelines or a percentage multiple of the guidelines. For example, some programs use 125%, 150%, or 185% of the guidelines to determine eligibility. (https://www.medicareplanfinder.com/medicare/federal-poverty-level/#What-programs-use-FPL-guidelines)
[AT LEAST 30 PROGRAMS USE THE FPL.]
Some examples of federal programs that use the poverty guidelines in determining eligibility include the following:
Department of Health and Human Services: Community Services Block Grant, Head Start, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
Department of Agriculture: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamp Program), National School Lunch Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program
Department of Energy: Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons Federal Poverty Levels do not count Noncash benefits (e.g. food stamps and housing subsidies)
Department of Labor: Job Corps, National Farmworker Jobs Program, Workforce Investment Act Youth Activities (https://www.irp.wisc.edu/resources/what-are-poverty-thresholds-and-poverty-guidelines/)
Examples of Automotive Help Programs
New Car Program for Those in Need
Bad Credit Auto Loans
Extended Auto Warranties
Job Access and Reverse Commute
Disability Transportation
{https://reliefbenefits.com/government-assistance)
What income is not counted? [for SNAP benefits]
You must meet the SNAP income tests to get SNAP benefits. There is no asset test for most Massachusetts households....
Here are examples of income that does not count for SNAP:
VISTA, Youthbuild, AmeriCorps, and Foster Grandparent allowances, earnings, or payments for persons otherwise eligible.
U.S. temporary Census earnings, for the 2020 Census count.
Lump sum payments...
Reimbursements – money you get to pay you back for expenses,.
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)...
Anything you do not get as cash... paid directly to a landlord or utility company...that has no legal obligation to do so....
Veterans Services (M.G.L. c 115) payments made by vendor payment directly to your landlord or utility company.
Money earned by a child under age 18 who..lives with a parent or other responsible adult.
Much more: https://www.masslegalhelp.org/income-benefits/food-stamps/advocacy-guide/part3/q69-income-not-counted; Produced by Patricia Baker and Victoria Negus, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Reviewed January 2020
[Below are some more benefit programs and services, but which also include local, state and federal programs as well as some private organizations.]
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OR FINANCIAL HELP FROM LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS...
Government mortgage and foreclosure assistance is available...
Rent help from assistance programs is available from a number of sources.
Government mortgage and foreclosure assistance...
Rent help from assistance programs i..
a variety of additional low income assistance programs ..
Housing Choice Voucher Program...
Disability assistance is administered by most state governments..
Human or social service offices ...
Financial assistance from your utility company may be available...
Telephone assistance programs..
Water bill assistance programs..
Federal government grants are provided to states and local governments as part of low income energy (LIHEAP)...
Free weatherization programs are also available nationwide...
Medical bill assistance..
Prescription drug assistance programs ..
Government funded community clinics..
Find dental care from free clinics...Many accept both state or federal government assistance and public health insurance for payment..
Free government health care programs..
Government sponsored welfare programs are available nationally as well as locally....
Free food from assistance programs are offered by the state as well as federal government...
Charities, churches and other organizations that offer financial assistance or small amounts of money from the government can sometimes help you with paying bills or debts...
Older adults and senior citizens.. There are government funded agencies that focus on their needs..
Several federal government agencies are focused on supporting people and helping them find a job or gain new skills. ..
Day and child care assistance is available in all states.... Government child care vouchers and subsidies can be obtained
State & Local Resources[;] Rent Assistance[;]
Free Food Pantries[;] Utility Bill Help[;]
Free Stuff and Money[;] Extra Income and Home Work;
Public Assistance[;] Disability Programs[;] Section 8 Housing[;] Senior Assistance[;] Emergency Rent Assistance[;] Free Job Training[;] Free Money[;] Grants For Bills[;] Free Clothes & Supplies[;] LIHEAP Assistance[;] elephone Assistance[;] Help with Water Bills[;] Charity Assistance[;] Church Assistance[;] Community Action Agencies[;] Medical Bills[;] Free Healthcare[;] Free Prescriptions[;] Free Community Clinics[;] Free Dental Clinics[;] Loans For Bills[;] Automobile Loan Assistance[;] Free Cash Loans[;] Debt Help[;] Mortgage Help[;] ...
How much CASH assistance will I get?The amount of cash assistance available in each state listed below varies...the dollar amounts will always change from year to year... 8 highest vs. 8 lowest I found]
Alaska $923; New York $789; California $704; Connecticut $698; New Hampshire $675; Wisconsin $653; Massachusetts $618; Hawaii $610';
Mississippi $170; Tennessee $185; Alabama $215; Arkansas $204; Louisiana $240; Kentucky $262; Georgia $280; Texas $285 (https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/how_much_cash_assistance.html)
Paying For Child Care
Child care subsidies (also called vouchers and fee assistance):
Head Start and Early Head Start:
State-funded prekindergarten:
Military fee assistance programs:
Assistance for high school students:
College or university child care:
Employer-assisted dependent care:
Other employer resources:
Sliding fee scale:
Local assistance and scholarships:
Sibling discount:
Military discount:
American Indian and Alaska Native Assistance:
Native Hawaiian child care and preschool programs:
Child and dependent care tax credit
Earned income tax credit (https://childcare.gov/consumer-education/get-help-paying-for-child-care)
What types of federal student loans are available?
Direct Subsidized Loans .
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Consolidation Loans
(https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans)
Social Security Survivors Benefits
Eligible survivors include:...
COVID funeral reimbursement now $9,000
If a relative of yours died from COVID-19, you may be able to get reimbursed up to $9,000 for funeral expenses. ..In 2019, the median national cost of a funeral with a viewing and a burial was $7,640 (https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/covid-funeral-reimbursement-now-9000-heres-how-to-apply-today/)
Government subsidies are what have helped fuel the ever spiraling cost of college tuition, pushing it north of $70K per year in some cases.
This subsidy will only do the same for broadband.
And the grift continues. So many people just want Big Daddy Governments sweet aid.
So many will be so confused when it is all taken away to herd them into the government controls and subsistence living planned for the unwashed.
It’s free money paid for by borrowing trillions of dollars. A Biden drunken spending spree.
Only 10 million took it up?
You did A LOT of research to post this - thanks, daniel1212!
Kenneth Kramer
Subsidizing monthly broadband payments is as much infrastructure as free Obamaphones. The Republicans who voted for the “infrastructure” bill should be primaried.
First it was Obamaphones. Now it’s BidenNet?
The goal is to have 53% of the folks depending on the money taken from the 47% who actually work.
Didja ever notice, that a “poor” person who is receiving 40,000 worth of benefits is listed in the column for “poor” people with zero income, and is elegible for more benefits, but the working person whose salary is quoted as 40,000 but who actually gets only 20,000 of it is shown as “earning 40,000” and is ineligible for any benefits?
Excllent research, thank you for your efforts!
The real deficit problem started in 2008, when the junk mortgage-backed bond market collapsed, and instead of letting the bad debt wash through the system, the Obama (and partly Bush) administration decided instead to just throw trillions of liquidity into the system, the Fed decided to start to buy junk U.S. bonds to create the required liquidity, and nothing bad happened.
So they’re doing it over and over again.
It’s like jumping off the Empire State building and while passing the 40th floor saying “so far, so good.”
America’s free-shit army
How long will the Affordable Connectivity Program last?
The ACP is a long-term program. The government has committed $14 billion to this endeavor and there is currently no end date.
Only $14 billion? Gubment chump change.
Maybe these are the same people that voted (D). I didn’t think broadband worked six feet under !!
“Meanwhile folks who worked hard, followed the rules and did the right thing........suckers”
People on the ranch have little, they are on a short leash, and have adapted. The men are absent and doing their own thing, and are a traffic stop from going to jail for lack of child support payments, and will be hounded by this and the legal justice system for the rest of their life, no matter how short.
Mamma’s care, some don’t, all made difficult and mostly avoidable/stupid life choices, or perhaps “planned” a type of Camelot askew in thought and execution. A meager few will work their way out of their morass. Maybe when the kids are grown.
If they gave boys to the system, the boys will probably take off to the call of the street, father a few for the girls stick around, have a few babies and work the system whilst big mama coaches.
Their jobs in many cases have been to work this welfare system so the GSA and OPM can continue pay their employees. The only money coming into this “system” is tax dollars. The snake is eating its tail.
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