§ 54.407   Reimbursement for offering Lifeline.

   (a) Universal service support for providing Lifeline shall be provided to an
   eligible  telecommunications  carrier,  based  on the number of actual
   qualifying low-income consumers it serves directly as of the first day of
   the month.

   (b) For each qualifying low-income consumer receiving Lifeline service, the
   reimbursement amount shall equal the federal support amount, including the
   support   amounts  described  in  § 54.403(a)  and  (c).  The  eligible
   telecommunications carrier's universal service support reimbursement shall
   not exceed the carrier's rate for that offering, or similar offerings,
   subscribed to by consumers who do not qualify for Lifeline.

   (c) An eligible telecommunications carrier offering a Lifeline service that
   does not require the eligible telecommunications carrier to assess and
   collect a monthly fee from its subscribers:

   (1) Shall not receive universal service support for a subscriber to such
   Lifeline service until the subscriber activates the service by whatever
   means specified by the carrier, such as completing an outbound call; and

   (2) After service activation, an eligible telecommunications carrier shall
   only continue to receive universal service support reimbursement for such
   Lifeline service provided to subscribers who have used the service within
   the last 60 days, or who have cured their non-usage as provided for in
   § 54.405(e)(3). Any of these activities, if undertaken by the subscriber will
   establish “usage” of the Lifeline service:

   (i) Completion of an outbound call;

   (ii) Purchase of minutes from the eligible telecommunications carrier to add
   to the subscriber's service plan;

   (iii)  Answering an incoming call from a party other than the eligible
   telecommunications carrier or the eligible telecommunications carrier's
   agent or representative; or

   (iv) Responding to direct contact from the eligible communications carrier
   and confirming that he or she wants to continue receiving the Lifeline
   service.

   (d) In order to receive universal service support reimbursement, an eligible
   telecommunications  carrier  must certify, as part of each request for
   reimbursement,  that it is in compliance with all of the rules in this
   subpart, and, to the extent required under this subpart, has obtained valid
   certification and re-certification forms for each of the subscribers for
   whom it is seeking reimbursement.

   (e) In order to receive universal service support reimbursement, an eligible
   telecommunications carrier must keep accurate records of the revenues it
   forgoes in providing Lifeline services. Such records shall be kept in the
   form directed by the Administrator and provided to the Administrator at
   intervals as directed by the Administrator or as provided in this subpart.

   [ 77 FR 12970 , Mar. 2, 2012, as amended at  77 FR 38534 , June 28, 2012;  80 FR 35577 , June 22, 2015;  80 FR 40935 , July 14, 2015]

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