Low Income
About Low Income:
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Low Income Tools:
Latest News / Important Notices / Alerts
Below are current news announcements relevant to the Low Income Program. You can access previous announcements by clicking the latest news archive.
Online 497 System will be unavailable from 5PM EST, November 23rd through 11PM EST, November 26th
The Online 497 System will be unavailable from 5PM EST, November 23rd through 11PM EST, November 26th for System Maintenance. Users will not be able to submit FCC Form 497 online during this period.
2010 High Cost and Low Income Workshop in Washington, DC-Registration Open
FCC Announces Mandatory Electronic Disbursement of USF Support Payments
The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau announced September 28 that all federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support payments must be made by electronic funds transfer (See Public Notice DA 09-2126).
The notice states that recipients of USF support payments shall provide their financial institution information and other relevant information on FCC Form 498, which is being updated to reflect these requirements. USAC encourages all service providers to update their Form 498 information using USAC's E-File System. Once the updated 498 form is processed, all following support payments will be made electronically.
The Wireline Competition Bureau will issue a further public notice announcing the effective date of the electronic payment requirement. After the effective date, USAC will not make USF support payments to any entity that has not provided financial institution information sufficient to enable payment through electronic funds transfer.
Please note: Service providers in the Schools and Libraries Program that currently use the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR Form 472) form will continue to receive check payments even if they provide electronic banking information until further notice.
If you have any questions, please contact USAC at (888) 641-8722 or customerservice@bcd.universalservice.org.
Online Form 497 Bulk Upload and Bulk Certification Webinar-Registration Open!
For more information, please go to Low Income - Webinar Information.
USAC Announces New Address For High Cost and Low Income Filings Effective October 1, 2009
Beginning October 1, 2009, USAC will begin collecting all High Cost and Low Income forms at its Washington, DC mailing address. The High Cost and Low Income email addresses and fax numbers will remain the same.
ETCs must send Low Income FCC Form 497 and High Cost Forms 507, 508, 509, 525, Local Switching Support forms, Interstate Access Support line count filings, CMT revenue filings, and any additional information previously sent to USAC in New Jersey to the address below:
USAC
Customer Operations
2000 L Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
To avoid interruption in form processing, USAC recommends that ETCs file FCC Forms 497 and 525 online.
USAC will continue to receive High Cost and Low Income forms sent to USAC New Jersey until December 31, 2009. After that date, USAC will not process any High Cost or Low Income data mailed to the old address. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to change your records to indicate the new address or, if applicable, submit the Forms 497 and 525 online.
Public Notice: Annual Certification and Verification Deadline
The FCC released a Public Notice reminding ETCS that the deadline for submitting the Annual Certification and Verification Letter is August 31, 2009, and August 31st each subsequent year. The Public Notice includes Frequently Asked Questions and, for companies that must follow the federal verification procedures, instructions for calculating a statistically valid sample.
High Cost and Low Income Regional Workshop in Indianapolis – Registration Open!
For more information, please go to High Cost/Low Income - Indianapolis, IN Workshop Information.
FCC Form 497 is Moving Online!
The FCC Form 497 is the latest form to move online. Starting in August, ETCs will be able to submit Form497 electronically, rather than sending paper copies and faxes. The online form will allow carriers to input their monthly support claims directly. The online Form 497 will include automated validations, which should reduce the number of resubmissions made by carriers. By eliminating the need for USAC to perform manual data input, electronic filing will reduce the amount of time it takes to process Low Income disbursements. And electronic filing is a "greener" alternative to paper!
ETCs using the online Form 497 can submit both original submissions and revisions, including revisions of forms previously submitted offline. Finally, the online filing mechanism has a bulk upload and a bulk certify feature that will allow ETCs with multiple study area codes (SACs) to submit all of their Forms 497 at one time.
USAC strongly encourages all ETC Officers and/or General Contacts to begin establishing E-File accounts for their staff members who usually complete the Form 497. Setting up the accounts earlier will help mitigate any problems that may arise and ensure a smooth transition from the paper form to the online form.
ETCs can set up two types of users, Authorized Users and Authorized Agents. An Authorized User is a company employee. An Authorized Agent is typically a consultant. Each user has different entitlements (see chart below). Because a company employee must sign the FCC Form 497, Officers/General Contacts must create both an Authorized User and an Authorized Agent if a consultant will be completing the Form 497.
|
Authorized User |
Authorized Agent |
Enter 497 Data |
✓ |
✓ |
Save 497 Data |
✓ |
✓ |
Certify 497 Data |
✓ |
|
Instructions for setting up new users and modifying existing user accounts are below.
Online Form 497 – Setting Up Users [PDF, 2.52MB]
USAC respectfully requests that individuals do not begin using the Online 497 until USAC gives the "go ahead." USAC will host three training sessions in late July to help users become oriented with the new form and to troubleshoot any potential problems. Invitations will be sent to current 497 contacts and any user assigned Online Form 497 contacts in the next few weeks.
Please visit our website for updates regarding the Online Form 497. Contact Tanea Davis at tdavis@usac.org or (202) 776-0200 with any questions.
USAC Website Scheduled Outage - Saturday, June 13 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
USAC's website [ www.usac.org | www.universalservice.org | www.lifelinesupport.org ] will be unavailable Saturday, June 13th from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. due to scheduled maintenance.
Update: changes to DTV transition requirements
Changes to DTV Transition Notification
The DTV Delay Act was enacted into law on February 11, 2009. The Act changed the analog to digital broadcasting transition from February 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009. On February 20, 2009, the FCC extended eligible telecommunication carriers' (ETCs) outreach obligations (see FCC 09-11).
Background
In March 2008, the FCC revised Part 54 of the Universal Service rules to include a section on DTV outreach (see Public Notice). 47 C.F.R. § 54.418 required all ETCs to notify their Lifeline and Link Up customers about the DTV transition using bill inserts or language on a monthly bill. On April 23, 2008, the FCC released a reconsideration order (FCC 08-119) that expanded its rules to include stand-alone outreach materials (brochures, postcards, etc.) to the methods in which ETCs could notify their Lifeline and Link Up customers of the DTV transition.
New ETC requirements
ETCs must continue to notify their Lifeline and Link Up customers of the impending DTV transition through June 30, 2009. All materials sent between April 1, 2009 and June 30, 2009 should convey, at a minimum, the following language (emphasis added by FCC):
The nationwide switch to digital television broadcasting will be complete on June 12, 2009, but your local television stations may switch sooner. After the switch, analog-only television sets that receive TV programming through an antenna will need a converter box to continue to receive over-the-air TV. Watch your local stations to find out when they will turn off their analog signal and switch to digital-only broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before to receive low power, Class A or translator television stations and with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products.
Information about the DTV transition is available from your local television stations, www.DTV.gov, or 1-888-CALL-FCC (TTY 1-888-TELL-FCC), and from www.dtv2009.gov or 1-888-DTV-2009 (TTY 1-877-530-2634) for information about subsidized coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes.
All ETCs that receive federal universal funds must include the above language on all Lifeline and Link Up related outreach materials in addition to the monthly bill inserts or stand-alone mailer (postcard, brochure, etc).
High Cost and Low Income Audits Webinar PowerPoint Presentation Available
High Cost and Low Income Audits Webinar PowerPoint Presentation.
Check here to see if USAC received your 2008 Lifeline Verification or Low Income Certification
Both verifications and certifications can be checked weekly on the Verification and Certifications page to see if USAC has received and processed their submissions. Please use the link below to navigate to that page.
2008 Deadline for Annual Lifeline Verification Surveys and Certifications is September 2nd
The submission deadline for all eligible telecommunication carriers (ETCs) to submit their annual certification or verification results has been revised for the 2008 calendar year. Because August 31, 2008, falls on a Sunday and September 1, 2008 is observed as a federal holiday, the submission deadline for ALL certifications and verifications will be September 2, 2008. The Public Notice regarding this recent change can be found below:
- Public Notice -.PDF Format [31kb]
- Public Notice -.DOC Format [58kb]
FCC Releases Revised Version Of Form 497
The FCC has released a revised FCC Form 497 – Lifeline and Link Up Worksheet and Instructions. Eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) use FCC Form 497 to seek reimbursement from the federal Universal Service Fund for providing Lifeline, Link Up and Toll Limitation Support. The revisions to the Form 497 will not result in any changes to support calculations.
Changes to Form 497 include:
- Removal of all references to the Presubscribed Interexchange Carrier Charge (PICC), which is no longer available.
- Moving the ETC payment block from Line 22 to Line 19.
- Modifying the Instructions to accurately reflect the total amount of Lifeline and Enhanced Lifeline support available.
- Changing the Instructions for Line 5(b) to clarify that Tier 1 support is an amount equal to the incumbent’s end user common line charge.
- Adding clarifying language to the Instructions in reference to Toll Limitation Service (TLS).
Please review the revised Instructions and begin using the updated Form 497 to submit your company’s Low Income support claims.
Annual Lifeline Certification and Verification Letter Available
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has recently approved a new version of the Annual Lifeline Certification and Verification Letter. The new document can be used for submitting both a certification or verification results, which are due each August 31. The new document can be used beginning in 2008 and in subsequent years.
Beginning in 2008, ETCs are no longer required to submit follow-up verification information. Instead, ETCs should contact consumers who do not initially respond and indicate their final designation as eligible or ineligible on the verification submission filed by August 31.
The new Annual Lifeline Certification and Verification Letter allows eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) to indicate if they have not claimed federal Low Income support for any Lifeline customers during the year.
Companies who have already submitted their 2008 certification or verification do not have to re-file using the new Annual Lifeline Certification and Verification Letter.
Annual Certification and Verification Deadline is August 31
The Universal Service Administrative Company reminds companies that the deadline for submitting annual certifications and verification results is fast approaching. An ETC in a state with its own state-based Low Income program must submit a certification, signed by an officer of the company, to USAC by August 31, 2008, attesting that the ETC has complied with the state verification procedures. All ETCs in federal default states must submit their annual Lifeline verification survey results to USAC by August 31, 2008.
The Federal Communications Commission is still reviewing the format for the 2008 certification and verification sample letters. Regardless of when this review is complete, certifications and verification results must be submitted by August 31. Companies can reference the 2007 verification and certification sample letter format as an example of the information that must be included in for their 2008 letters.
Check USAC's Low Income Program News page to see if your verification or certification has been received.
Check here to see if USAC received your 2008 Lifeline Verification or Low Income Certification
ETCs submitting 2008 Lifeline verification survey results (federal default states) or 2008 Low Income certifications (all non-federal default states) can check here weekly to see if USAC has received and processed their submissions. Both verifications and certifications must be signed by an officer of the ETC. Check the Low Income Calendar for deadlines.
UPDATE – Digital Television (DTV) Notification
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requiring all eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) that receive federal universal service funds to provide information about the television broadcasting transition from analog to digital service (the "DTV Transition") to their Lifeline and Link Up customers. See FCC 08-56 released March 3, 2008.
The FCC released a reconsideration order (FCC 08-119) April 23 that expanded its rules regarding the method in which ETCs must notify their Lifeline and Link Up customers of the February 2009 DTV transition. ETCs are now permitted to mail customers monthly stand-alone outreach materials (brochures, postcards, etc.) instead of including the notice as a monthly bill insert. The language that must be included on the mailer has not changed.
ETCs are still required to include DTV transition information on all Lifeline and Link Up outreach materials. These revised rules will be effective May 30, 2008. However, carriers may still use stand-alone mailers for the April 30 deadline.
For more information on these requirements, please see USAC's March 19 DTV Important Notice.
2007 Lifeline Program Participation Rate Data
Each year, USAC staff completes a study of participation rates in the Lifeline program in each state. The study uses United States Census data to determine the number of households in the United States. The study compares the eligibility criteria used by each state against government and other publicly available data to determine the number of households eligible under each program. In addition, because many states, including those that use the federal default criteria, include income as a criterion, the study uses the Poverty Guidelines to determine the number of households eligible based on income in these states. The study relies on data published for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps to calculate an average number (54%) of households that are receiving assistance through more than one program. This amount was subtracted from the total number of eligible households in states that included multiple programs in their eligibility criteria. The study then compares the number of eligible households in each state against USAC's data on Lifeline participation to calculate an estimated participation rate for each state.
2007 Lifeline Participation Rate Data
- 2007 Participation Rates by State
This map shows the Lifeline participation rates by state for 2007. Eligibility criteria differ by state and sometimes by individual telephone company. - 2007 ETC with the Most Lifeline Subscribers by State
This map shows the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) that serves the most Lifeline subscribers in each state. ETCs with multiply study area codes have been combined within each state.
2006 Lifeline Participation Rate Data
2005 Lifeline Participation Rate Data
Digital Television (DTV) Notification
On March 28, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice announcing the effective date for the new rule requiring ETCs to notify Lifeline customers about the upcoming transition to digital television is March 31, 2008. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2008, ETCs must begin using bill inserts or language on a monthly bill to notify their Lifeline and Link Up customers about the DTV transition. For more information please see the March 19 DTV Important Notice.
ETCs Must Notify Lifeline Customers about the Transition to Digital Television (DTV)
On March 3, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order requiring all eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) that receive federal universal service funds to provide information about the television broadcasting transition from analog to digital service (the "DTV Transition") to their Lifeline and Link Up customers. The notification requirement will go into effect 30 days after the FCC's Order is published in the Federal Register, and will remain in effect through March 2009.
ETCs must use bill inserts or language on a monthly bill to notify their Lifeline and Link Up customers about DTV Transition. The FCC's rules mandate that each DTV Transition notice convey at least the following information:
"After February 17, 2009, a television receiver with only an analog broadcast tuner will require a converter box to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation's transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products."
"Information about the DTV transition is available from www.DTV.gov and from www.dtv2009.gov or 1-888-DTV-2009 for information about subsidized coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes."
The FCC's rules also require that DTV Transition notices must be:
- part of the bill or bill notice, a bill insert or a secondary notice mailed with the bill or bill notice;
- in the same language or languages as the bill or bill notice;
- in clear and conspicuous print; and
- provided in the same medium as the customer's monthly bill information, if the customer does not receive paper versions of either a bill or notice of billing.
ETCs must also provide information on the DTV Transition in conjunction with any publicity campaign conducted to promote Lifeline and Link Up.
These requirements are set out in the Code of Federal Regulations at 47 C.F.R. 54.418. Please contact the FCC for additional information.
2008 Federal Poverty Guidelines Released
On January 23, 2008 the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released the 2008 Federal Poverty Guidelines in the Federal Register, 73 Fed. Reg. 3971-3972 (January 23, 2008). ETCs in federal default states, ETCs with customers residing on federally recognized tribal lands, and ETCs in non-federal defaults states that use total household income as a criterion for Lifeline and Link Up should update any materials containing the federal poverty guidelines.
USAC has updated all pages on www.lifelinesupport.org to reflect these changes. USAC also posts the federal poverty guidelines at 100%, 125%, 135%, 150%, and 175% because some states have an income-based eligibility criterion at one of these levels Please contact USAC’s Low Income Team via e-mail with any questions.
Notice to Eligible Telecommunications Carriers Serving Low-Income Lifeline Customers: Deadline for Filing FCC Form 497 for 2006 is March 31, 2008
March 31, 2008 is the last day to file FCC Form 497, new or revised, for any month in 2006.
USAC's administrative window for submitting FCC Form 497 will close March 31, 2008, for all months prior to January 2007. This applies to submission of data on FCC Form 497, including original (first-time) submissions and revisions of previously submitted data. Therefore, we would like to remind all eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) to submit to USAC any FCC Form 497s for any month in 2006 prior to March 31, 2008. USAC's administrative window for submitting data for the year 2005 and all prior years is currently closed.
FCC Form 497 is available on USAC's web site. You may submit FCC Form 497 via e-mail or via fax to 866-873-4665. Signed e-mailed copies can be sent in Excel or Adobe format. You may also mail FCC Form 497 to the following address:
USAC - Low Income Program
444 Hoes Lane
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Should you have further questions, please contact the Low Income Customer Service Center at 866-873(USF)-4727.
Is Your Company Listed on USAC's Consumer Website www.lifelinesupport.org?
More than 800 ETCs have used the online Lifeline Support ETC Posting Tool to create a company page with outreach information for low-income consumers concerning the availability of Lifeline and Link Up on www.lifelinesupport.org. This website is designed to assist low-income consumers in their search for telephone service. The tool includes links to each company’s home website, downloadable applications, and a customer service number which allows consumers to find important information easily and quickly. Please use the following link to submit your company’s data:
Online Tool: E-mail your SPIN and SAC combination to USAC to receive login information.
Instructions: PowerPoint Presentation
The online tool will allow you to make updates to your company’s page at any time without having to reenter the same data. Please let USAC know if you have any questions or comments via E-mail.
