USAC Offers FCC Draft Lifeline National Verifier Plan; Public Welcomed to Comment

On March 31, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission adopted the 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order, with the goals of ensuring the affordability of voice and broadband service for low-income consumers and promoting the fiscal integrity of the Lifeline program. In the Order, the FCC established a National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier (National Verifier) to make eligibility determinations and perform other functions necessary to enroll eligible subscribers into the Lifeline program. The Order also directed the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to submit a Draft National Verifier Plan to the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau and the Office of the Managing Director (OMD) before December 1, 2016.

By this Public Notice, the Bureau announces that USAC submitted the Draft National Verifier Plan to the Bureau and OMD on November 30, 2016. The Draft Lifeline National Verifier Plan is now available for public review. Beginning December 5, 2016, USAC will accept comments, questions, and feedback. Feedback is welcome throughout the implementation of the National Verifier, however, stakeholders are encouraged to provide comments by December 30, 2016 with respect to the National Verifier Plan.