Lifeline Program Update National Verifier Updates May 17, 2017 1
Housekeeping Audio is available through your computer s speakers The audience will remain on mute Enter questions at any time using the Questions box There is a large audience signed in today. We will accept as many questions as possible! If your audio or slides freeze, refresh the webinar Copy of the slide deck in the handouts section of webinar panel 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 2
About the Lifeline Program Webinar Discusses general topics about Lifeline Program, including: National Verifier Launch Schedule Migration of Customers Feedback Opportunities To register for each session, visit www.usac.org/li and select Trainings & Outreach, then Lifeline Program Update Webinars 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 3
Agenda 1. Announcements 2. National Verifier Background 3. Launch Schedule Soft Launch Hard Launch 4. Initial States & Technical Specs 5. Migration 6. Training 7. Feedback 8. Questions 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 4
ANNOUNCEMENTS Lifeline Program Webinar 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 5
Announcements Today s format: Presentation and questions from the audience Election window for USAC to perform the 2018 recertification process now open! Deadline to elect or revoke USAC is June 30, 2017 Reminder! FCC Form 481, the Carrier Annual Reporting Data Collection Form, is now available in E-File. Service providers must file separate submissions with the FCC, state commissions, and any other relevant regulatory agencies by July 3, 2017 for Program Year 2018. 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 6
Background National Verifier 7
Background In the FCC s 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order, USAC was directed to build a National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier to manage and determine eligibility for all Lifeline subscribers The National Verifier will: Determine initial subscriber eligibility Conduct annual recertification Populate the Lifeline Eligibility Database (all subscribers deemed eligible for the Lifeline Program) 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 8
Launch Schedule National Verifier 9
Overview of Launch Schedule When Started, ongoing August 2017 August 30, 2017 October 2017 December 2017 March 2018 What Gather feedback Begin releasing tech specs Announce first states to join the NV Training materials available Soft launch Hard launch 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 10
Soft Launch The NV soft launch will occur in December 2017 The soft launch period will allow service providers in the initial states to transition their operations to the National Verifier USAC recommends that service providers use this period to test and make sure existing processes and systems align with the National Verifier Service providers can choose how much of the soft launch period to utilize During the soft launch: Service providers will begin to transition their system to use National Verifier eligibility checks Consumers will not have direct access to the National Verifier (still must sign up through SP) NV system enhancements may occur between the soft and hard launches 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 11
Hard Launch The NV hard launch will occur in March 2018 At the hard launch: All service providers in the initial states must use the National Verifier for eligibility and recertification for all customers Customers can use the National Verifier to verify their own eligibility prior to working with a service provider 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 12
Transition of Responsibility for Eligibility Determinations During the transition to the National Verifier, responsibility of eligibility determinations moves from service providers to the National Verifier. Current state Soft launch Hard launch Service Providers Conduct all eligibility checks Option to use the National Verifier to check eligibility Can still use own methods to verify eligibility Full use of National Verifier is required Can support consumers to apply, but must check their eligibility through the NV May support outreach for recertifications Consumers Can only apply through service providers NV portal not accessible to self-check eligibility Must still apply through service providers Can apply through NV Portal, or Can apply with help of service provider USAC Provides limited customer support Conducts eligibility determinations for applications opted-in by service providers Launch full BPO customer support center for service providers Continue limited customer support for consumers Conducts all eligibility determinations and manual processes Supports customer status checks 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 13
Initial States and Tech Specs National Verifier 14
First Wave States and Technical Specifications USAC is developing data-use agreements with state and federal agencies We plan to announce the initial states for the National Verifier by August 30, 2017 USAC will release technical specifications for the National Verifier connections in August 2017 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 15
Migrating Existing Customers National Verifier 16
Migrating Existing Customers When the National Verifier launches in a state, all Lifeline customers in that state will be migrated. The migration process will include: 1. An automated eligibility check, where each customer will be checked against the available eligibility databases 2. If a customer cannot be verified automatically: USAC will ask service providers for existing eligibility documentation for customers who joined Lifeline in July 2017 or later, and USAC will work with service providers to obtain new proof of eligibility for customers who joined Lifeline before July 2017 (proof of eligibility must be valid in July 2017 or later) 3. If USAC cannot verify a customer s eligibility through these methods, the customer will be de-enrolled 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 17
More about Migrating Existing Customers The migration process for existing customers will conclude at hard launch Option to Elect USAC for gathering eligibility documentation 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 18
Training National Verifier 19
National Verifier Training USAC will provider National Verifier guidance and training for stakeholders in initial states and later states Following the announcement of the initial National Verifier states, USAC will share training timelines System training, including user guides and demonstrations, will begin in October 2017 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 20
System Build Updates National Verifier 21
NV System Build Updates Visit our website to sign up for National Verifier Build Update emails, where we will share system build progress via development and schedule updates Check the Lifeline Program Newsletter and the National Verifier Blog for general news about the National Verifier 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 22
Share Your Feedback! National Verifier 23
Feedback Opportunities Stakeholder feedback is important to the National Verifier s development. We look forward to your feedback via: Review and Testing: If you would like to review the National Verifier system and/or test features, sign up as a feedback volunteer. If you are selected for testing, USAC will contact you to arrange an in-person or virtual meeting. Webinars: USAC will share National Verifier process flows, wireframes and prototypes for feedback via webinar. Join us for the first build update on June 8. Technology Forum: USAC and the National Verifier systems integrator will hold monthly technology forums to gather feedback and answer questions about the National Verifier s technology specifications on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The forum will be an informal, open-invitation meeting. To receive tech forum reminders, sign up for the National Verifier Build Update emails. 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 24
Feedback Opportunities Stakeholder feedback is important to the National Verifier s development. We look forward to your feedback via: Webinars: In the Lifeline Program Update Webinars, USAC will discuss NV feedback. We re crafting the webinar schedule to suit our stakeholders and will be in touch with updates. Send us Feedback: You can submit feedback any time via email to LifelineProgram@usac.org, or as a comment on the National Verifier Blog. 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 25
Questions? 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 26
Lifeline Program Webinar Thank you for joining us! Sign up for Lifeline Program email updates and upcoming events Visit usac.org/li and click subscribe in the upper-right corner Need help? Contact us! Recertification Page on our website General: LifelineProgram@usac.org Recertification: Liverifications@usac.org NLAD: NLADsupport@usac.org or call (877) 524-1325 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar 27