The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that it has received Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the following Lifeline rules that were adopted in the June 2015 Lifeline Reform Order:
- Updating the definition of eligible telecommunications carriers, direct service, and Lifeline;
- Updating instructions and number of respondents for FCC Forms 497 and 481;
- Retaining eligibility documentation for enrollment and dispute resolution;
- Revising the burden for consumer recertification;
- Revising FCC Form 555 for annual reporting of subscriber recertification;
- Requiring a uniform snapshot date for payment of low-income support;
- Revising the subscriber usage requirement;
- Requiring marketing and outreach plans;
- Updating the ETC audit requirements; and
- Allowing electronic signatures for Lifeline subscriber certifications;
The announcement of OMB approval of the rules will be sent to the Federal Register on February 4, 2016, for publication. Accordingly, the FCC expects these new Lifeline rules to become effective on or after February 4, 2016.
