R9-06         LIFELINE AND TRIBAL LINK UP PROGRAMS

(a)  Description of programs.

(1)           Lifeline service is a federally administered program providing a monthly discount to qualifying low-income consumers for voice telephone service or broadband service.

(2)           Tribal Link Up service is a federally administered program providing a discount to the customary charge for commencing telecommunications service to a qualifying consumer on Tribal lands.

(b)  Obligations of local exchange companies.

All local exchange companies designated as eligible telecommunications companies (ETCs) by the Utilities Commission in this State pursuant to Section 254(e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 shall provide Lifeline and Link Up services on such terms as are set out in subsection (c), (d), and (e), and in the Orders of the Utilities Commission.  All local exchange companies designated as ETCs shall submit such information to the Utilities Commission, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) as is necessary to fully implement the Lifeline and Link Up programs.

(c)  Program eligibility.

In order to be eligible for assistance, a consumer must meet the eligibility requirements as set forth in 47 C.F.R. part 54, subpart E of the FCC's rules.

(d)  Verification of eligibility.

The method for verification of the eligibility criteria set forth in (c) above shall be a national eligibility verifier.  Until the national eligibility verifier has been established to verify eligibility in North Carolina, the verification method will be self-certification by the recipients of the eligible programs.

(e)  Support.

The support provided to consumers through the Lifeline and Link Up programs is set forth in 47 C.F.R. part 54, subpart E of the FCC's rules.

(NCUC Docket No. P 100, Sub 95, 9/30/87; 4/4/89; NCUC Docket No. P-100, Sub 133f, 12/23/97; 2/3/98; 6/1/98; 07/27/99; NCUC Docket No. P-100, Sub 133f, 3/2/10; NCUC Docket No. P-100, Sub 133f, 5/03/12; NCUC Docket No. P-100, Sub 133f, 6/25/12; NCUC Docket No. P-100, Sub 133f, 10/27/2016.)