http://www.usac.orgUSAC administers the Universal Service Fund (USF) which helps provide communities across the country with affordable telecommunications services.Copyright 2011 Universal Service Administrative CompanyLifelinePresentation slides for the NLAD Webinar on June 19 are now available. Sign up for the webinar through the Lifeline Trainings & Outreach page./li/tools/news/default.aspx#768Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:17:21 -0400High Cost and LifelineThe FCC issued an order (DA-13-1348) on June 10, which waives the July 1, 2013, annual reporting filing requirement as identified under Section 54.313(j) of the FCC’s rules. The FCC created the Carrier Annual Reporting Data Collection Form (FCC Form 481), to collect this information and the FCC is currently seeking approval of the form from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The new FCC Form 481 includes the Lifeline required reportings under Section 54.422 of the FCC’s rules. Therefore, a single filing deadline will reduce the administrative burden on USAC. The FCC will afford reasonable time for ETCs to file their annual reporting required under Sections 54.313 and 54.422, after OMB’s approval of FCC Form 481. The FCC, however, did not waive the annual rate floor filing of local rates pursuant to Section 54.313(h) of the FCC’s rules, due July 1, 2013. The affected carriers should use the OMB’s (Control Number 3060-0986) approved Rate Floor Data Collection Report and Certification available on the High Cost Program Forms page. The FCC also waived the annual certification filing deadline for states, or ETCs not subject to the jurisdiction of a state, to certify to the proper use of universal service support under Section 54.314(d) of the FCC’s rules. The states or ETCs must file the Section 54.314 certification within 60 days after ETCs have filed the 2013 FCC Form 481 annual reports./hc/tools/news/default.aspx#765Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:13:00 -0400LifelineThe National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) will help carriers identify and resolve duplicate claims for Lifeline Program-supported service. Join USAC on Wednesday, June 19 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM EDT to learn about the project timeline, carrier participation, and more. Register Today!http://www.usac.orghttp://www.usac.org/li/about/outreach/training/061913.aspxTue, 11 Jun 2013 15:41:47 -0400LifelineThe Lifeline Reform Order requires eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs), or state administrators where applicable, to annually recertify Lifeline Program subscribers to ensure they remain eligible to participate in the Lifeline Program. On May 22, 2013, the FCC released a Public Notice to provide guidance to ETCs regarding the process for annually recertifying subscriber eligibility. The Public Notice also describes the process that USAC will follow to recertify subscribers on behalf of those ETCs that elect to have USAC complete the recertification of its subscribers. The FCC provides clarification that an ETC must recertify each new subscriber once in the calendar year following the year in which the subscriber initially enrolled in the Lifeline Program. The FCC further clarifies that ETCs are required to recertify subscribers each calendar year that the subscriber remains enrolled in the Lifeline Program. The FCC does not preclude ETCs from recertifying subscribers within 12 months from a subscriber’s enrollment or anniversary date. Similar to the 2012 recertification, ETCs are to use a snapshot of Lifeline Program subscribers claimed. For the 2013 recertification year, and subsequent certification years, ETCs must use their subscriber listing which supports the ETCs February FCC Form 497 reimbursement claims which may be submitted to USAC as early as March./li/tools/news/default.aspx#753Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:25:30 -0400LifelineIncluded in its May 22, 2013, Public Notice, the FCC outlined the recertification process that USAC will use should an ETC elect to have USAC conduct the subscriber recertification on its behalf. USAC will submit a letter to each subscriber informing the subscriber of their obligation to recertify their continued eligibility to receive a Lifeline Program-supported service. The letter will also explain the recertification process, how the subscriber may confirm their eligibility, and that the subscriber has 30 days to complete the recertification, or they will be de-enrolled from the Lifeline Program. Subscribers will also receive an automated call or text message during the 30-day period to prompt a response. Subscribers will have three methods to complete their recertification: 1) calling a toll-free number to access an Inter-Active Voice Response (IVR) system; 2) accessing a USAC maintained website; or 3) completing, signing, and returning a recertification form provided by USAC via the U.S. Postal Service. Any subscriber that does not respond within the 30-day window will be considered ineligible for the program and will be de-enrolled by their ETC. Each ETC that selects USAC to perform the recertification process is required to provide a toll-free number that USAC can provide to the ETC’s consumers for questions about their service or the recertification process, as USAC will not have live agents available for consumer questions. ETCs should perform their election by sending an email with a subject line that indicates the name of the ETC by operating company, and states that the ETC is “Electing USAC for 2013 Recertification.” In response to the email, USAC may request additional information from the ETC which must be provided to USAC by June 21, 2013. ETCs that make this election must submit to USAC, in a format to be provided, its subscriber listing supporting the February FCC Form 497 submission by July 15, 2013. To the extent that a state agency conducts recertification for all or a portion of an ETC’s subscribers, the ETC may not elect to utilize USAC for recertifying those subscribers subject to recertification by the state agency. Therefore, prior to transmittal to USAC, the ETC should remove from its subscriber list those subscribers that are subject to the state agency’s recertification process. USAC will complete the recertification process over a series of months, by grouping the ETCs that elect to have USAC complete the process into phases so that the influx of responses can be staggered. This grouping will be done randomly and staggered based upon USAC capacity. USAC will provide additional guidance to ETCs regarding grouping after it has received all elections. Following the USAC recertification process, USAC will provide each ETC with a record of the subscriber recertification as well as a list of subscribers that did not recertify and must be de-enrolled. /li/tools/news/default.aspx#754Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:20:00 -0400LifelineBuilding on measures that cut over $213 million from projected 2012 program disbursements, the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) will detect and prevent duplicative Lifeline support and enforce the Commission’s one-per-household limitation for Lifeline support to eligible consumers. Lifeline providers will use the NLAD to ensure that potential low-income consumers are not already receiving support from any other provider. Read the full press release on the USAC website Press Releases page./li/tools/news/default.aspx#738Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:51:00 -0400LifelineThe USAC website and applications including: E-File, Rural Health Care My Portal, Schools and Libraries Apply Online and Submit a Question, online forms, and most search tools, may experience periodic outages throughout the day on Saturday, April 20 for scheduled system maintenance. During this time, users may be unable to file, certify, and search for certain forms online. /about/tools/news/default.aspx#737Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:35:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineUSAC is releasing these proposed filing templates to facilitate carriers' preparation for meeting the information collection requirements for recipients of High Cost Program and/or Connect America Fund support associated with Section 54.313, as well as the reporting requirements for recipients of Lifeline Program support associated with Section 54.422. While the proposed draft FCC Form 481 and instructions are pending OMB approval, carriers can utilize the draft Excel worksheet to collect the data required by the filing. This version of the FCC Form 481 is a preliminary form which is subject to change in the OMB approval process. Further, only the final OMB approved version of the FCC Form 481 will be accepted on or before the July 1, 2013, filing deadline. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact USAC./hc/tools/news/default.aspx#734Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:13:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineHCLI News now available.http://www.usac.orghttp://www.usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2013/03-2013.aspxTue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400LifelineDue to inclement weather, USAC’s Washington, DC office is closed today, Wednesday, March 6, 2013. Please note that the Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau (CSB) will remain open./about/tools/news/default.aspx#711Wed, 06 Mar 2013 07:58:12 -0400High Cost and LifelineThe FCC is seeking comment on the new information collection requirements for recipients of High Cost Program and/or Connect America Fund support associated with Section 54.313, as well as the reporting requirements for recipients of Lifeline Program support associated with Section 54.422. The Transformation Order required that any carrier receiving High Cost Program support and/or Connect America Fund support must file certain information and certifications by July 1, 2013, including a five-year service quality improvement plan, pricing information for both voice and broadband offerings, and financial statements. The Commission will submit this information collection after the comment period to obtain the full, three-year clearance from the Office of Management and Budget, and approval for a new FCC Form 481, an annual reporting form for High Cost Program and Lifeline Program beneficiaries. Carriers have until April 26, 2013, to comment to the FCC on this proposed reporting. Instructions on how to file comments can be found online. The proposed draft FCC Form 481 and instructions, still pending OMB approval, and the OMB Notice have been posted for review. On Tuesday, March 5, 2013, the FCC released a Clarification Order. In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) clarifies and waives certain aspects of the reporting requirements for eligible telecommunications carriers relating to five-year build-out plans and broadband network testing. The WCB also clarifies and revises Section 54.313(a) of the Commission's rules accordingly./hc/tools/news/default.aspx#710Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:22:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineHCLI News February Issuedhttp://www.usac.orghttp://usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2013/02-2013.aspxWed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineJanuary 2013http://www.usac.orghttp://usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2013/01-2013.aspxThu, 31 Jan 2013 15:04:26 -0400LifelineOn January 24, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released their annual update to the federal poverty guidelines in the Federal Register (Vol. 78, No. 16, January 24, 2013, pp. 5182-5183). Since households at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines may be eligible for Lifeline support, USAC has created a chart that outlines 135% of the federal poverty guidelines for 2013. ETCs should use this chart to update any Lifeline eligibility materials containing the federal poverty guidelines for 2013./li/tools/news/default.aspx#689Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:57:54 -0400High Cost and LifelineIn observance of Martin Luther King Jr. and Inauguration days, USAC offices, including the Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau (CSB), will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2013. /about/tools/news/default.aspx#686Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:23:00 -0400LifelineIn observance of Martin Luther King Jr. and Inauguration days, USAC offices, including the Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau (CSB), will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2013. /about/tools/news/default.aspx#686Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:23:00 -0400LifelineThe entire USAC website, including all static content, will be unavailable Saturday, January 19 from 8:00 AM through 10:00 AM EST due to scheduled maintenance. In addition, certain applications will be unavailable from Friday, January 18 at 11:59 PM to Saturday, January 19 at 10:00 AM EST. These applications include E-File, My Portal, funding commitment search tools, the News Brief archives, and training archives. The Schools and Libraries "Apply Online" page, "Submit a Question" page, online forms, and other search tools will be available except during the two-hour period when the entire website is down. We apologize for any inconvenience./about/tools/news/default.aspx#685Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:57:00 -0400LifelineThe FCC Form 555, Annual Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Certification Form, is available for filing through USAC's online portal, E-File, now with a bulk upload feature available. Similar to the bulk feature available for online FCC Form 497 filers, a bulk feature has been added to assist carriers reporting and certifying FCC Form 555 data for multiple SAC/state combinations. Carriers completing the bulk processes for FCC Form 555 will need to complete the FCC Form 555 Bulk Template. To ensure that everything is completed properly, use our online filing instructions. The first submission of the FCC Form 555 is due to USAC by January 31, 2013. That submission will include the results of ETCs' certification of their subscriber bases as of June 1, 2012. USAC recommends the use of the online FCC Form 555; however, carriers may submit completed forms via email. ETCs must file a copy of their FCC Form 555 with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by filing the form in Docket 11-42. For information on how to file electronically via the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System, please refer to the FCC's website./li/tools/news/default.aspx#680Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:10:00 -0400LifelineUSAC offices, including the Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau (CSB), will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 24-25, 2012. /about/tools/news/default.aspx#679Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:48:29 -0400High Cost and LifelineThe December 2012 HCLI News for the High Cost and Lifeline Programs is now available. /hc/tools/news/default.aspx#677Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0400LifelineThe FCC Form 555, Annual Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Certification Form, is now available for filing through USAC's online portal, E-File. ETCs must use the FCC Form 555 to report the results of their annual certification of consumers' continuing eligibility for Lifeline. Instructions for filing a single FCC Form 555 online are available here. The first submission of the FCC Form 555 is due to USAC by January 31, 2013. That submission will include the results of ETCs' certification of their subscriber bases as of June 1, 2012. ETCs must file a copy of their FCC Form 555 with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by filing the form in Docket 11-42. For information on how to file electronically via the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System, please refer to the FCC's website. A bulk upload template, and bulk certification capabilities, will be available in the near future for companies that file the FCC Form 555 for multiple states. /li/tools/news/default.aspx#669Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:28:00 -0400LifelineETCs must file a copy of their FCC Form 555 with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by filing the form in Docket 11-42. For information on how to file electronically via the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System, please refer to the FCC's website. /li/tools/news/default.aspx#666Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:25:57 -0400LifelineBeginning November 26, 2012, all service providers must use the new FCC Form 498 when applying for a new SPIN (Service Provider Identification Number) or when making changes to contact or remittance information to an existing SPIN. USAC has posted the new FCC Form 498 and instructions on its website. No prior years’ forms will be accepted; service providers who submit an outdated form will receive notice from USAC that the form could not be processed. E-File users will automatically see the newest version of the form upon log in, and their information will pre-populate. Features of the new FCC Form 498 include: • an additional field in block 3 for a company's Federal Registration Number (FRN); • a column for the Study Area Code Company Name in Block 8; • the ability for a carrier to designate an alternate bank account for the payment of BEAR funds in Block 11; • a box in Block 1 and a supplemental information sheet to allow respondents to include information about affiliates; • an update to the Principal Communications Types in Block 14 to include additional business types as listed on the FCC Form 499-A; • a box after every program on the form that will allow service providers to cease participation in the associated program without having to deactivate their entire SPIN. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the FCC Form 498 and the notice was published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2012. Please contact USAC Customer Operations at (888)641-8722 with any questions about the new FCC Form 498. /about/tools/news/default.aspx#659Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:25:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineHCLI News for November is now available.http://www.usac.orghttp://usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2012/11-2012.aspxWed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400LifelineThe E-File system will be unavailable from 9:00 PM EST on Monday, November 26th, until 7:00 AM EST on Tuesday, November 27th. Please plan your filing activity accordingly. /about/tools/news/default.aspx#651Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400LifelineUSAC has created a Reference Area for ETCs to easily locate the most frequently searched for items relating to Lifeline. ETCs are encouraged to refer to this page for forms, reports, training tools, general program information, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). /li/tools/news/default.aspx#653Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:24:20 -0400LifelineThe FCC Form 555, Annual Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Certification Form, has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Each ETC must use the FCC Form 555 to report the results of its annual certification/re-certification of consumer eligibility for Lifeline. The form and instructions are available on the Lifeline Forms page. The first submission of the FCC Form 555 is due to USAC by January 31, 2013. That submission will include the results of ETCs’ re-certification of their subscriber bases as of June 1, 2012. More information about the annual re-certification requirement is available under Step 8: Annual ETC Certification./li/tools/news/default.aspx#652Wed, 07 Nov 2012 17:22:00 -0400LifelineDue to Hurricane Sandy, USAC is closed Monday and Tuesday, October 29-30, 2012./about/tools/news/default.aspx#646Sun, 28 Oct 2012 21:49:00 -0400