FCC USAC Joint Training Event

FCC USAC Joint Training Event Certification and Recertification June 19, 2012 Washington, DC To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 1

Initial Certification Certification Topics Certification Form Requirements Subscriber Initial Certification and Eligibility Verification Annual Certification Subscriber Re certification Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Certification To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 2

Certification and Recertification Certification Form Requirements To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 3

Certification Form Requirements Certification Form Requirements ETCs must explain, in clear, easy to understand language: Lifeline is a federal government benefit and willfully making false statements to obtain the benefit can result in fines, imprisonment, de enrollment or being barred from the program. Lifeline service is available for only one line per household. A household is not permitted to receive Lifeline benefits from multiple providers. A household is defined, for purposes of Lifeline, as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 4

Certification Form Requirements Certification Form Requirements ETCs must explain, in clear, easy to understand language: Households are not permitted to receive benefits from multiple providers. Violation of the one per household rule would constitute a violation of the Federal Communication Commission's rules and would result in de enrollment from the Lifeline program, and potentially, prosecution by the United States government. Lifeline is a non transferable benefit, and the subscriber may not transfer his or her service to any individual, including another eligible low income consumer. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 5

Certification Form Requirements Certification Form Requirements ETCs must collect the following subscriber information: Subscriber s Full Name Subscriber s Full Residential address (no PO Box) Subscriber s Full Billing Address, if different (PO Box ok) Whether address is permanent or temporary A check box or space that applicant can mark to indicate that he or she lives at an address occupied by multiple households To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 6

Certification Form Requirements Certification Form Requirements ETCs must collect the following subscriber information (continued): Subscriber's date of birth and last four digits of SSN or tribal ID number If subscriber is seeking to qualify for Lifeline under the program based criteria, the name of the qualifying assistance program from which the subscriber, or his or her dependents, or his or her household, receives benefits. If the subscriber is seeking to qualify under the income based criterion, the number of individuals in his or her household. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 7

Certification and Recertification Initial Certification To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 8

Initial Certification Initial Certification Beginning June 1, 2012, prior to enrolling an individual in Lifeline, an ETC or state administrator must receive a consumer s signed certification, under penalty of perjury, that states the following: The subscriber meets the income based or program based criteria for receiving Lifeline; The consumer has provided documentation of eligibility, if required; To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 9

Initial Certification Initial Certification (continued) Beginning June 1, 2012, prior to enrolling an individual in Lifeline, an ETC or state administrator must receive a consumer s signed certification, under penalty of perjury, that states the following: The subscriber will notify the carrier within 30 days if for any reason he or she no longer satisfies the criteria for receiving Lifeline including, as relevant, if the subscriber no longer meets the income based or program based criteria for receiving Lifeline support, the subscriber is receiving more than one Lifeline benefit, or another member of the subscriber household is receiving a Lifeline benefit; Prior to enrolling in Lifeline, consumers must certify under penalty of perjury that they understand this notification requirement, and that they may be subject to penalties if they fail to follow this requirement. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 10

Initial Certification Initial Certification (continued) Beginning June 1, 2012, prior to enrolling an individual in Lifeline, an ETC or state administrator must receive a consumer s signed certification, under penalty of perjury, that states the following: If the subscriber qualifies for Lifeline under income based criterion, the certification form must include a space for the consumer to certify the number of individuals in their household. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 11

Initial Certification Initial Certification (continued) Beginning June 1, 2012, prior to enrolling an individual in Lifeline, an ETC or state administrator must receive a consumer s signed certification, under penalty of perjury, that states the following: If the subscriber is seeking to qualify for Lifeline as an eligible resident of Tribal Lands, he or she lives on federally recognized Tribal Lands; If the subscriber moves to a new address, he or she will provide that address to the ETC within 30 days; The subscriber s household will receive only one Lifeline service, either wireless or wireline; To the best of his or her knowledge, the subscriber s household is not already receiving a Lifeline service; The information contained in the subscriber s certification is true and correct to the best of his or her knowledge; To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 12

Initial Certification Initial Certification, (continued) Beginning June 1, 2012, prior to enrolling an individual in Lifeline, an ETC or state administrator must receive a consumer s signed certification, under penalty of perjury, that states the following: The subscriber acknowledges that providing false or fraudulent information to receive Lifeline benefits is punishable by law; and The subscriber acknowledges that the subscriber may be required to recertify his or her continued eligibility for Lifeline at any time. The subscriber s failure to recertify his or her continued eligibility will result in de enrollment and the termination of the subscriber s Lifeline benefits. The subscriber acknowledges and consents to the carrier providing the subscriber s name, telephone number, and address to USAC (administrator of the Lifeline program) and/or its agents, for the purpose of verifying that the subscriber does not receive more than one Lifeline benefit. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 13

Certification and Recertification Eligibility Verification To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 14

Eligibility Verification Eligibility Verification Beginning June 1, 2012, prior to enrolling an individual in Lifeline, an ETC (or state administrator) must verify the consumer s eligibility for Lifeline by either: Querying a state or federal social service database; Receiving confirmation from a state agency or thirdparty administrator that a the consumer is eligible; or Reviewing documentation provided by the consumer that verifies eligibility. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 15

Eligibility Verification Program Eligibility Acceptable documentation of program eligibility includes: Current or prior year s statement of benefits from qualifying program; Notice letter of participation in qualifying program; Program participation documents (or a copy); or Another official document evidencing the customer s participation in a qualifying program. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 16

Eligibility Verification Income Eligibility Acceptable documentation of income eligibility includes: The prior year s state, federal or Tribal tax return; Current income statement from an employer or paycheck stub; Social Security statement of benefits; Veterans Administration statement of benefits; Retirement or pension statement of benefits; To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 17

Eligibility Verification Income Eligibility (continued) Unemployment or Workers Compensation statement of benefits; Federal or Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance; or Divorce decree, child support award, or other official document containing income information. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 18

Eligibility Verification Recordkeeping ETCs must keep a record of what specific data was relied upon to confirm the consumer s initial eligibility for Lifeline. The type of record to be maintained depends upon the method used to confirm eligibility (e.g., viewing a database, receiving confirmation from an agency, or viewing subscriber documentation). ETCs must not retain copies of documentation provided by consumers. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 19

Eligibility Verification Recordkeeping (continued) For each Lifeline applicant for which the ETC relied on a state or federal social service or income database to verify eligibility, retain records, such as: The name of the database queried; The date the database was queried; and A copy of the confirmation received or a screen shot of the page confirming eligibility (if available), or a confirmation by the ETC s employee or agent that the database confirmed eligibility. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 20

Eligibility Verification Recordkeeping (continued) For each Lifeline applicant for which the ETC relied on a state agency to verify eligibility, retain records, such as: The name of the agency consulted; The agency contact; The date the confirmation of eligibility was received; and A copy of the notice provided by the agency that confirms eligibility. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 21

Eligibility Verification Recordkeeping (continued) For each Lifeline applicant for which an employee or agent of the ETC reviewed eligibility documentation, whether based on income or program participation, retain records, such as: Type of documentation reviewed, for example: Award letter Voucher Benefits card Income statement Date or expiration date of documentation Identifying information about documentation submitted (for example, blue SNAP card or letter from State Health and Human Services Agency ); To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 22

Eligibility Verification Recordkeeping (continued) For each Lifeline applicant for which an employee or agent of the ETC reviewed eligibility documentation, whether based on income or program participation, retain records, such as: Date reviewed; Method the documentation was provided, for example: In person By fax By mail Electronically Name or ID of employee or agent who reviewed documentation; To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 23

Eligibility Verification Recordkeeping (continued) For each Lifeline applicant for which an employee or agent of the ETC reviewed eligibility documentation, whether based on income or program participation, retain records, such as: Name on documentation demonstrating program participation (if different from name of applicant); Indication confirming that individual named on documentation demonstrating program participation is part of applicant s household (if different from name of applicant); and Indication confirming that individual named on documentation demonstrating program participation does not already receive Lifeline (if different from name of applicant). To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 24

Certification and Recertification Annual Recertification To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 25

Annual Recertification Annual Recertification Except in states where the state Lifeline administrator or other state agency is responsible for re certifications, all ETCs must annually recertify all subscribers by: Querying the appropriate eligibility database, confirming that the subscriber still meets the program based eligibility requirements for Lifeline, and documenting the results of this review; or Querying the appropriate income database, confirming that the subscriber continues to meet the income based eligibility requirements for Lifeline, and documenting the results of this review; or Obtaining signed certification from the subscriber that includes statements contained in the initial certification. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 26

Annual Recertification Annual Recertification In those cases where an ETC is unable to recertify the subscriber or has received notice that the state administrator or relevant state agency is unable to re certify the subscriber, the ETC must de enroll the subscriber from Lifeline. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 27

Annual Recertification Annual Recertification ETCs must annually recertify their June 1 subscriber base (as reported on May FCC Form 497). ETCs must complete the Annual Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Certification Form and submit the completed form to USAC by January 31, of the following year. First recertification is based on June 1, 2012 subscribers (May 2012 FCC Form 497 claim) and is due to USAC on January 31, 2012. USAC will be providing an electronic filing option through E File (available late 2012). ETCs have the option to elect to have USAC administer the re certification process in future years. To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 28

Annual ETC Certification Form Annual Lifeline ETC Certification Form Annual Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Certification Form All carriers must complete sections 1, 2, and 3. Carriers must complete section 4, if applicable. Deadline: January 31 st (Annually) State (An Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) must provide a certification form for each state in which it provides Lifeline service). Study Area Code(s) (SAC) ETC Name(s) Holding Company Name(s) DBA, Marketing or Other Branding Name(s) Affiliated ETCs (include names and SACs, attach additional sheets if necessary) To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 29

Annual ETC Certification Form Annual Lifeline ETC Certification Form To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 30

Annual ETC Certification Form Annual Lifeline ETC Certification Form 2. All ETCs (Initial the certification that applies to your ETC, and if applicable, complete columns A through F and/or G through I in the tables below. Attach additional sheets if necessary). I certify that the company listed above has procedures in place to re-certify the continued eligibility of all of its Lifeline customers, and that, to the best of my knowledge, the company obtained signed certifications from all consumers attesting to their continuing eligibility for Lifeline, except those subscribers whose eligibility was verified by the company through the use of other sources of eligibility information as well as those subscribers who were re-certified by the state Lifeline administrator. Results are provided in the chart below. I am an officer of the company named above. I am authorized to make this certification for the Study Area(s) listed above. Initial To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 31

Annual ETC Certification Form Changes to FCC Form 497 A B C D = (B-C) E F = (D +E) Number of Subscribers Claimed on May FCC Form(s) 497 Number of Subscribers ETC Contacted Directly to Recertify Eligibility Through Attestation Number of Subscribers Responding To ETC Contact Number of Non- Responding Subscribers Number of Subscribers Responding That They Are No Longer Eligible Number of Customers De- Enrolled or Scheduled to be De-Enrolled as a result of nonresponse or ineligibility G H I Number of Subscribers Whose Eligibility was Reviewed By State Administrator or By ETC Access To Eligibility Data Number of Subscribers Whose Eligibility Was Examined by State Administrator or By ETC Access to Eligibility Data and Found to be Ineligible Number of Customers De-enrolled or Scheduled to be De- Enrolled as a Result of a Finding of Ineligibility (Column H) To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 32

Annual ETC Certification Form Annual Lifeline ETC Certification Form To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 33

Annual ETC Certification Form Annual Lifeline ETC Certification Form To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 34

Annual ETC Certification Form Annual Lifeline ETC Certification Form To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 35

Thank you! To edit this footer, select the View tab, then Slide Master and edit the first Master Slide. 36