Universal Service Administrative Company Lifeline Program Overview 1
- Slides: 7
Universal Service Administrative Company Lifeline Program Overview 1
What is it? Monthly discount on phone and/or broadband service Subscribers prove eligibility through participation in a qualifying program or demonstrating income at or below 135% of federal poverty guideline Available in every state, territory, commonwealth & on Tribal lands 13 million U. S. households participate in the federal Lifeline program © 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program 2
STREAMLINED ELIGIBILITY Lifeline qualifying programs include: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Medicaid Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Income-based (at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines) • Additional eligibility programs for Tribal lands • • • © 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program 3
What is covered? • Fixed or mobile voice • Fixed or mobile broadband • Must meet monthly minimum service standards • 500 mobile voice minutes, • 500 MB of data at 3 G speed or better (mobile), or • 10/1 Mbps speed with at least 150 GB (fixed) • Cannot apply benefit to equipment • 12 month benefit port freeze (60 days for voice) © 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program 4
Current Enrollment Process Applicant Consumer contacts service provider of their choice to enroll in the program Service Providers © 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Service provider verifies eligibility SP submits for reimbursement for service provided to USAC If eligible, begins providing discounted service USAC reimburses SP 5
Program Rules Lifeline is available only to subscribers who can document their eligibility Only one Lifeline benefit is permitted per household Subscribers are required to recertify their eligibility every year Must demonstrate usage at least once every 30 days © 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program 6
Contact Us General inquiries: Lifeline. Program@usac. org Consumer facing materials: www. Lifeline. Support. org Sign up for Lifeline Program email updates and upcoming events • Visit usac. org/li and click “subscribe” in the upper-right corner © 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program 7
