RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC), partnering with the Federal Communications Commission, encourages lower income Virginians to explore opportunities for discounted voice and broadband services during National Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week (September 8-14, 2024).

Administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the Lifeline program offers a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on qualifying voice and broadband services for eligible subscribers.

Access to high-speed internet has become fundamental for Virginians to remain digitally connected. If your income falls below a certain level – at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines – you could be eligible for the Lifeline benefit. Additionally, you may qualify if you participate in one of the following federal assistance programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

Companies participating in the Lifeline program can help with enrollment. The National Verifier is also available to check eligibility and to sign up for the Lifeline benefit. Be sure to contact area telecommunications service providers to see if they participate in the program, as not all companies are required to offer Lifeline services.

To learn more about the Lifeline program and the National Verifier, and to see if you are eligible, call 1 800-234-9473 or email lifelinesupport@usac.org or visit www.lifelinesupport.org or the FCC website at www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers. You may also contact USAC at LifelineProgram@usac.org.

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Contact: Jordan Bondurant, 804-371-9141

RICHMOND – Hurricanes and other disasters can happen anywhere and anytime. Each September, National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder about the importance of preparing for such disasters and other emergencies.

September also marks the midpoint of the Atlantic hurricane season, the peak period when potentially deadly tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean. The State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) Bureau of Insurance (Bureau) urges Virginians to assess their risk and act now to protect themselves, their families and their property, both physically and financially.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. The 2024 season is predicted to be a busy one, with five named storms so far. Even areas hundreds of miles from the coast can be impacted by the high winds, heavy rains and flooding that accompany hurricanes and tropical storms. Once a hurricane develops in the Atlantic, it may be difficult to find an insurance company willing to write coverage until after the storm threat passes.

“Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect yourself and your property from a hurricane or other disaster,” said Virginia Insurance Commissioner Scott A. White. “Ensure that your insurance coverage is up to date so you can minimize financial damage. Review your insurance policies and know what is – and is not – covered. Talk to your insurance agent or company or contact the Bureau of Insurance if you have questions.”

White encourages policyholders to consider the following:

• Does your homeowners policy contain a special deductible for wind or hurricane losses? These deductibles are applied separately from any other deductible on a homeowners policy and may be written as a flat amount, such as $1,000, or applied to a loss as a percentage of the insurance coverage on the dwelling.
• Does your homeowners policy provide coverage for such things as sewer backup? Most homeowners policies do not provide coverage for sewer backup, but policyholders may purchase additional coverage for this.
• Are vehicles covered in the event of a hurricane or windstorm? If you have other-than-collision (or comprehensive) coverage for your vehicle under your automobile policy, your vehicles generally will be covered for flood and wind damage.

Keep in mind that hurricane damage is often caused by flooding, not high winds. Standard homeowners, renters and commercial insurance policies issued in Virginia typically do not provide coverage for damage from floods, surface water or storm surge. Insurance coverage for flood damage is available to homeowners, renters and business owners in eligible communities through the National Flood Insurance Program, but there is typically a 30-day waiting period before a new flood insurance policy takes effect. Learn more at www.floodsmart.gov.

Creating an inventory of your personal property including photos, videotapes and serial numbers can help facilitate the claims process if damage occurs. Keep this home inventory and your insurance policies in a secure, waterproof and fireproof container and take them with you if you evacuate. Your policies contain the policy number and insurance company’s phone number if you have questions or need to file a claim.

If your property is damaged by a hurricane, contact your insurance agent or company as soon as possible. To protect your property from further damage, make necessary emergency repairs. Document all damage to your property and include photographs, notes and repair-related receipts.

To learn more, contact the Bureau of Insurance Property and Casualty Division toll-free at 1-877-310-6560 or in Richmond at 804-371-9185. The Bureau offers free consumer guides for homeowners and commercial property owners with information about what to do when a disaster strikes. These are available on its website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Disaster-Readiness.

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Contact: Katha Treanor, 804-371-9141