UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND – LIFELINE

Universal service has been defined by Congress as “an evolving level of telecommunications services . . . taking into account advances in telecommunications and information technologies and services.” 47 U.S.C. 254(c). Universal service support generally is distributed only to eligible telecommunications carriers and must be used “only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended.” 47 U.S.C. 254(e). In addition, policies for the advancement and preservation of universal service must be based on certain principles established by Congress. See 47 U.S.C. 254(b). Consistent with these statutory provisions, the FCC has established the Universal Service Fund, which disburses support for the provision of telecommunications services, as well as other services and facilities (including broadband) for high-cost areas, schools and libraries, rural health care providers, and low-income consumers.

Individuals may apply if their income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or if they participate in the following federal assistance programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit; and the following Tribal-specific federal assistance programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance, Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Support is available only for one line per household.

Individuals may also receive emergency Lifeline support for no more than six months if they qualify as a survivor (as that term is defined in 47 CFR 64.6400(m)) suffering from financial hardship and have requested a line separation. Survivors may show they are suffering from financial hardship if their income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or if they receive any of the following benefits: participation in the free and reduced price lunch program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, or enrollment in a school or school district that participates in the Community Eligibility Provision; (2) a Federal Pell Grant under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in the current award year; or (3) assistance through the special supplemental nutritional program for women, infants and children established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1996.

Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov.

All applications must be received by the established deadline.

Reimbursement is provided monthly to Eligible Telecommunications Carriers, who claim support for providing discounted Lifeline service to eligible consumers.

Eligible Telecommunications Carriers must submit one reimbursement claim for each month they are claiming support, and may file either quarterly or monthly and up to one year after the data month.