The FCC’s Office of Managing Director has announced measures the Commission will take to mitigate any harm due to Emergency Broadband Benefit Program enrollments based on the USDA National School Lunch Program’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The EBB Program Order permitted those participating in the CEP to qualify for the program. The FCC’s Office of Inspector General had raised concerns with respect to such enrollments.
In the Public Notice, the OMD outlines the following mitigating measures: (1) directing the Universal Service Administrative Company to modify the application portal to require applications seeking qualification based on the CEP to provide school enrollment documentation and the name of the CEP school; (2) conducting program integrity reviews; (3) issuing a Public Notice notifying providers and consumers of this change; (4) referring bad actors to the Enforcement Bureau; (5) reviewing audit procedures; and (6) recouping improperly disbursed funds.
