R746-8-403. Lifeline Support

  (1) In addition to any disbursement calculated under R746-8-401 or R746-8-402, an ETC may receive an ongoing distribution through ongoing participation in a Commission-approved Lifeline program upon a specific finding of public interest by the Commission.

  (2)(a) The support claimed under this Subsection R746-8-403 may not exceed $3.50 per Lifeline subscriber per month of subscription to a service that:

  (i) provides service over landlines; or

  (ii)(A) meets FCC broadband Lifeline requirements as set forth in 47 C.F.R. 54.408; and

  (B) for wireless Lifeline, allows, at no charge beyond the basic monthly fee, unlimited texting and at least 750 voice minutes per month; or

  (iii)(A) meets FCC broadband Lifeline requirements as set forth in 47 C.F.R. 54.408; and

  (B) does not include a voice component.

  (b) Lifeline distributions will be based on eligible Lifeline subscribers as of the first day of each month, with no prorated discounts.

  (3) An ETC that is approved to participate in the Commission Lifeline program shall:

  (a) provide potential Lifeline subscribers with application materials and information;

  (b) provide service to any customer who is verified as eligible for participation through:

  (i) the FCC's national verifier system; or

  (ii) if the FCC's national verifier system is not yet operational, the program administrator with which the Commission contracts to administer the initial and continued eligibility verification of state Lifeline participants;

  (c) waive, for Lifeline subscribers, the following charges:

  (i) customer security deposits, if the customer voluntarily elects to receive toll blocking; and

  (ii) within any 12-month period, the first nonrecurring service charge for:

  (A) changing local exchange usage service to Lifeline service; and

  (B) changing from flat rate service to message rate service; and

  (d)(i) add the Lifeline discount to a customer's account within five (5) business days of notification of the customer's eligibility under FCC Lifeline requirements; and;

  (ii) remove the Lifeline discount from a Lifeline subscriber's account within five (5) business days of notification of the Lifeline subscriber's ineligibility under FCC Lifeline requirements; and

  (e) submit to the Division by May 1 of each year, a complete Lifeline subscriber list, as defined by the FCC.

  (4) An ETC participating in the Commission Lifeline program may not:

  (a) disconnect Lifeline telephone service for nonpayment of toll service;

  (b) require a Lifeline subscriber to purchase additional services from the ETC; or

  (c) prohibit a Lifeline subscriber from purchasing additional services from the ETC, unless the participant fails to comply with the ETC's terms and conditions for those additional services.

  (5) For an access line for which the UUSF surcharge is omitted pursuant to R746-8-301(3)(a)(iii), the UUSF surcharge amount that otherwise would have been remitted pursuant to R746-8-301 shall be deducted from the state Lifeline support paid to the provider.