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DA 18-1042
Released:  October 11, 2018

WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL LIFELINE ELIGIBILITY VERIFIER IN FIVE ADDITIONAL STATES AND ONE TERRITORY 
WC Docket No. 11-42
	By this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announces the launch of the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier (National Verifier) in Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and South Dakota as of October 15, 2018. See 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, 4021, para. 165 (2016) (2016 Lifeline Order) (directing the Bureau to “issue a notification to all interested participants providing information about effective dates and any other relevant obligations” as USAC deploys the National Verifier in each state).     
  The Commission established the National Verifier in the 2016 Lifeline Order to make eligibility determinations and perform a variety of other functions necessary to enroll subscribers into the Lifeline program. See id. at 4006, para. 126.
  
Like the initial states soft launched on June 18, 2018, the five states and one territory joining the National Verifier on October 15, 2018 will have a soft launch period before fully launching. Wireline Competition Bureau Announces the Initial Launch of the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier Database, WC Docket No. 11-42, Public Notice, DA 18-627 (WCB June 18, 2018); Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Full Launch of the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier in Six States, WC Docket No. 11-42, Public Notice, DA 18-1009 (WCB Oct. 2, 2018). 
  The soft launch period will allow Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) to become familiar with and adjust and test their systems and business processes with the National Verifier online portal before its use becomes mandatory.  If an ETC uses existing eligibility processes to enroll subscribers during the soft launch period, the ETC must comply with the Commission’s existing rules for eligibility determinations. See 47 CFR §§ 54.410(a), 54.410(b)(1), 54.410(c)(1), 54.410(d), 54.410(g).
  
During the soft launch, only ETCs will have access to the National Verifier.  Consumers will be able to access the National Verifier at a later date once the full launch for these five states and one territory takes place.  In addition, USAC will use the National Verifier to re-verify the eligibility of consumers that already participate in the Lifeline program in the relevant states and territory. See USAC, Lifeline National Verifier Plan, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 17-287, 09-197 & 10-90 (filed July 31, 2018).
  Any consumer whose eligibility cannot be verified through this process will be de-enrolled from the program.  Finally, on the date of the full launch of the National Verifier in these five states and one territory, all eligibility determinations and recertifications must be conducted by the National Verifier, pursuant to the Commission’s rules. 47 CFR §§ 54.400(o), 54.407(a), 54.410(b)(2), 54.410(c)(2), 54.410(f)(2)(iv), 54.410(f)(3)-(5), 54.410(h).
  
For further information, please contact either Allison Jones at (202) 418-1571, allison.jones@fcc.gov or Allison Baker at (202) 418-8128, allison.baker@fcc.gov, both of the Wireline Competition Bureau’s Telecommunications Access Policy Division.
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