PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: https://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
DA 17-636
Released:  June 29, 2017
WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU REMINDS ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
CARRIERS OF THEIR ONGOING RESPONSIBILITY TO CLAIM LIFELINE SUPPORT 
ONLY FOR ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS
WC Docket No. 11-42
By this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) reminds eligible 
telecommunications carriers (ETCs) of their primary responsibility to ensure the eligibility of Americans 
seeking Lifeline support. Even as the Commission implements reforms to the Lifeline program to further 
protect the Universal Service Fund (Fund) from waste, fraud, and abuse, ETCs are, and will remain, 
responsible for any fraud that forms the basis of their claims for Lifeline reimbursement.
1
The Commission created the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) to “detect and 
prevent duplicative support”
2
and the National Verifier to make Lifeline subscriber eligibility 
determinations.
3
  These reforms do not relieve ETCs of their obligation to claim Lifeline reimbursement 
only for customers who are actually eligible for the Lifeline program under the Commission’s rules.  The 
Commission has been clear on this point.  In the 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order, the Commission 
stated that the National Verifier would “reduc[e],” but not eliminate, providers’ “risks of facing a 
verification-related enforcement action,”
4
and that the National Verifier would “remove many”—but not 
all—“opportunities for Lifeline providers to inappropriately enroll subscribers.”
5
  Thus, while the 
National Verifier will be a critical and powerful tool in the fight against waste, fraud, and abuse, its 
implementation will not provide a “safe harbor” for ETCs that improperly claim or obtain reimbursement. 
Providers must continue to take steps to detect and prevent fraud and improper claims.
6
                                                     
1
See 47 CFR § 54.407(a) (Lifeline reimbursement “shall be provided directly to an eligible telecommunications 
carrier based on the number of actual qualifying low-income customers it serves...”); 47 CFR § 54.407(d) (“In order 
to receive universal service support reimbursement, an officer of each [ETC] must certify... that [t]he [ETC] is in 
compliance with all of the rules in this subpart....”); 47 CFR § 54.409 (establishing consumer qualification for the 
Lifeline benefit, including a requirement that the consumer “must not already be receiving a Lifeline service”); 47 
CFR § 54.410(a) (requiring all ETCs to “implement policies and procedures” to ensure that all of their Lifeline 
subscribers are eligible to receive Lifeline services).
2
Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization et al., Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking, 27 FCC Rcd 6656, 6734, para. 179 (2012) (2012 Lifeline Order).
3
Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization et al., Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order, and 
Order on Reconsideration, 31 FCC Rcd 3962, 3964, para. 7 (2016) (2016 Lifeline Modernization Order).
4
Id.
5
Id. (emphasis added).
6
See 47 U.S.C. § 217 (“In construing and enforcing the provisions of this chapter, the act, omission, or failure of 
any officer, agent, or other person acting for or employed by any common carrier or user, acting within the scope of 
(continued….)
2Notwithstanding the development of NLAD and the eventual implementation of the National 
Verifier, ETCs will remain primarily responsible for ensuring submissions for Lifeline support are 
accurate and those for whom support is requested are eligible. ETCs enjoy no “safe harbor” from 
auditing and enforcement, which may include, but is not limited to, repayments to the Fund, monetary 
penalties, and revocation of Commission authorizations.  In the case of fraud, ETCs may be subject to 
civil and/or criminal penalties.  
In sum, ETCs must ensure that they are in full compliance with the Commission’s rules, even 
after the National Verifier is operational.
For further information, please contact Nathan Eagan, Telecommunications Access Policy 
Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-0991.
– FCC –
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his employment, shall in every case be also deemed to be the act, omission, or failure of such carrier or user as well 
as that of the person.”); 47 CFR § 54.404(b)(6).