Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-39.6

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 199-39.6 - Universal service support for low-income consumers (Lifeline program and Tribal Link Up program)

(1)Carrier obligation to offer Lifeline. Pursuant to 47 CFR § 54.405, which specifies the Lifeline obligations of eligible telecommunications carriers, all eligible telecommunications carriers must make available Lifeline service, as defined in 47 CFR § 54.401, to qualifying low-income consumers, defined as consumers who meet the qualifications for Lifeline as specified in 47 CFR § 54.409. Eligible telecommunications carriers must comply with the minimum service standards specified in 47 CFR § 54.408.

(2)Customer notification. Eligible telecommunications carriers shall include a description of their Lifeline offerings or discounts in their residential service agreements. Eligible telecommunications carriers shall provide the commission with information about their residential service agreements upon request. Eligible telecommunications carriers shall publicize the availability of Lifeline service in a manner reasonably designed to reach those likely to qualify for service as required by 47 CFR § 54.405(b).

(3)Consumer qualification for Lifeline. To qualify for Lifeline, a consumer must meet the qualifications for Lifeline as specified in 47 CFR § 54.409. A consumer may only receive one Lifeline service per household.

(4)Determination of subscriber eligibility. Until the national Lifeline eligibility verifier becomes responsible for the initial determination of Iowa consumers' eligibility for Lifeline assistance, Iowa eligible telecommunications carriers are responsible for establishing consumer eligibility for Lifeline assistance. Iowa eligible telecommunications carriers shall ensure that their Lifeline subscribers are eligible to receive Lifeline services in accordance with 47 CFR § 54.410. Eligible telecommunications carriers shall:

a. Implement policies and procedures for ensuring that their Lifeline subscribers are eligible to receive Lifeline services;

b. Confirm a subscriber's income-based or program-based eligibility according to 47 CFR § 54.410(b) or (c);

c. Provide prospective subscribers Lifeline certification forms that comply with 47 CFR § 54.410(d); and

d. Recertify all subscribers' Lifeline eligibility in accordance with 47 CFR § 54.410(f) and (g).

(5)Annual certifications by eligible telecommunications carriers. Eligible telecommunications carriers shall make and submit to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) annual certifications relating to the Lifeline program as required by 47 CFR § 54.416. Eligible telecommunications carriers shall file their annual Lifeline certifications with the commission as provided in 39.7(1)"a" and, if applicable, with the relevant tribal governments.

(6)Tribal Link Up. A telecommunications carrier receiving high-cost support on tribal lands that is offering the Tribal Link Up assistance program, as defined in 199-39.2 (476), to eligible residents of tribal lands, as defined in 47 CFR § 54.400(e), must provide (1) a 100 percent reduction of the customary connection charge for commencing service at a subscriber's residence, and (2) a deferred schedule of interest-free payments for the connection charge, pursuant to 47 CFR § 54.413. Prior to enrolling an eligible resident of tribal lands in the Tribal Link Up program, an ETC must obtain from the resident a certification form that complies with 47 CFR § 54.410.

(7)Audits. Eligible telecommunications carriers shall file with the commission finalized reports of audits involving the audited ETC's operations in Iowa conducted pursuant to 47 CFR § 54.420 requiring low-income program audits. The audit reports will not be considered or deemed confidential. The audit reports shall be filed with the commission within 30 days of issuance of the final audit report.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-39.6

Amended by IAB March 4, 2015/Volume XXXVII, Number 18, effective 4/8/2015

Amended by IAB January 16, 2019/Volume XLI, Number 15, effective 2/20/2019

Editorial change: IAC Supplement 7/24/2024