§ 54.411 - [Reserved]

§ 54.411 Lifeline benefit portability.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 83 FR 2085, Jan. 16, 2018.

(a) A provider shall not seek or receive reimbursement through the Lifeline program for service provided to a subscriber who has used the Lifeline benefit to enroll in a qualifying Lifeline-supported broadband Internet access service offering with another Lifeline provider within the previous 12 months.

(b) A provider shall not seek or receive reimbursement through the Lifeline program for service provided to a subscriber who has used the Lifeline benefit to enroll in a qualifying Lifeline-supported voice telephony service offering with another Lifeline provider within the previous 60 days.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, a provider may seek and receive reimbursement through the Lifeline program for service provided to a subscriber prior to the completion of the 12-month period described in paragraph (a) of this section or the 60-day period described in paragraph (b) of this section if:

(1) The subscriber moves their residential address;

(2) The subscriber's current provider ceases operations or otherwise fails to provide service;

(3) The provider has imposed late fees for non-payment greater than or equal to the monthly end-user charge for the supported service; or

(4) The subscriber's current provider is found to be in violation of the Commission's rules during the 12-month period and the subscriber is impacted by such violation.

(d) If a subscriber transfers his or her Lifeline benefit pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, the subscriber's Lifeline benefit will apply to the newly selected service until the end of the original 12-month period. In these circumstances, the subscriber is not required to re-certify eligibility until the end of the original 12-month period. The subscriber's original provider must provide the subscriber's eligibility records to either the subscriber's new provider or the subscriber to comply with the 12-month service period.

[81 FR 33094, May 24, 2016

[Reserved]