Universal service fund - lifeline

Universal service has been defined by Congress as "an evolving level of telecommunications services . . . taking into account advances in telecommunications and information technologies and services." 47 U.S.C. 254(c). Universal service support gene

The Lifeline program helps to provide access to quality affordable broadband Internet access services and voice telephony services to low-income Americans.

Individuals may apply if their income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or if they participate in the following federal assistance programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit; and the following Tribal-specific federal assistance programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance, Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Support is available only for one line per household. Individuals may also receive emergency Lifeline support for no more than six months if they qualify as a survivor (as that term is defined in 47 CFR 64.6400(m)) suffering from financial hardship and have requested a line separation. Survivors may show they are suffering from financial hardship if their income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or if they receive any of the following benefits: participation in the free and reduced price lunch program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, or enrollment in a school or school district that participates in the Community Eligibility Provision; (2) a Federal Pell Grant under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in the current award year; or (3) assistance through the special supplemental nutritional program for women, infants and children established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1996.

Lifeline support lowers the monthly cost of broadband Internet access services or voice telephony services for eligible consumers.

Communications Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) may only claim reimbursement for providing Lifeline service that meets the minimum service standards.

Eligible telecommunications carriers must submit one reimbursement claim for each month they are claiming support, and may file either quarterly or monthly and up to one year after the data month.

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov. All applications must be received by the established deadline.

Reimbursement is provided monthly to Eligible Telecommunications Carriers, who claim support for providing discounted Lifeline service to eligible consumers.

Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate, for application deadlines

Eligible Telecommunications Carriers must submit one reimbursement claim for each month they are claiming support, and may file either quarterly or monthly and up to one year after the data month.

Lifeline subscribers must provide identity information (name, date of birth, address, and last four digits of the Social Security Number or Tribal Identification Number) and must provide evidence of income or proof of participation in one of the Lifeline-qualifying programs if the subscriber's eligibility cannot be verified via an eligibility database. Consumers must apply through an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier, state Lifeline administrator, or the National Verifier where required. The National Verifier's online portal is available at www.checklifeline.org.

USAC will not terminate, suspend, reduce, deny, or take other adverse action against an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier seeking reimbursement for providing the Lifeline discount until the carrier is notified in writing of the potential adverse action, and provided an opportunity to contest the planned action. Eligible Telecommunications Carriers have 60 days to appeal a decision of USAC. USAC will not deny a Lifeline application until the applicant is notified in writing and provided 45 days to submit documentation to contest the denial. USAC or the Eligible Telecommunications Carrier will not terminate or suspend a subscriber's Lifeline benefits for failure to use the service for 30 days until the individual is notified in writing of the potent USAC will not deny a Lifeline application until the applicant is notified in writing and provided 45 days to submit documentation to contest the denial. USAC or the Eligible Telecommunications Carrier will not terminate or suspend a subscriber's Lifeline benefits for failure to use the service for 30 days until the individual is notified in writing of the potential adverse action. Subscribers have 15 additional days to use the service or indicated continued interest in receiving their Lifeline service before their Lifeline service is terminated. USAC or the Eligible Telecommunications Carrier will not terminate or suspend a subscriber's Lifeline benefits for failure to recertify or reverify their eligibility until the individual is notified in writing of the potential adverse action. Subscribers have 60 days to respond to recertification or reverification efforts before their Lifeline service is terminated. USAC or the Eligible Telecommunications Carrier will not terminate or suspend a subscriber's Lifeline benefits for any other reason until the individual is notified in writing of the potential adverse action. Subscribers have 30 days to demonstrate continued eligibility before their Lifeline service is terminated.