Federal Communications Commission	DA 26-396


Before the
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of

Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization

Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism

Rural Health Care Universal Service Support Mechanism

Universal Service Contribution Methodology
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WC Docket No. 11-42

CC Docket No. 02-6

 
WC Docket No. 02-60


WC Docket No. 06-122

ORDER

Adopted:  April 23, 2026	Released:  April 23, 2026

By the Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau:

I. INTRODUCTION 
1. In this Order and on our own motion, we waive certain Lifeline, E-Rate, E-Rate is formally known as the schools and libraries universal support mechanism.
 Rural Health Care (RHC), and Contributions rules and deadlines to assist participants and service providers, including Universal Service Fund (USF) contributors, located in the areas affected by Typhoon Sinlaku and its immediate aftermath (collectively, the Sinlaku Weather Events).  Typhoon Sinlaku is a tropical cyclone that moved through Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean beginning April 11, 2026.  The Sinlaku Weather Events caused significant power outages, communications network outages, and damage to homes, schools, libraries, and health care facilities throughout the impacted areas.  Because of these compelling and unique circumstances, we find good cause to waive certain rules and deadlines to assist program participants, service providers, and USF contributors in the affected areas.  See Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization; Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism; Establishing the Emergency Connectivity Fund to Close the Homework Gap; Rural Health Care Universal Support Mechanism; Connect America Fund; Universal Service Contribution Methodology, CC Docket No. 02-6, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 21-93, 02-60, 10-90, 06-122, Order, DA 24-1059, 2024 WL 4474868 (WCB rel. Oct. 9, 2024) (Hurricane Milton Order); Affordable Connectivity Program; Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization; Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism; Establishing the Emergency Connectivity Fund to Close the Homework Gap; Rural Health Care Universal Support Mechanism; Connect America Fund; Universal Service Contribution Methodology, CC Docket No. 02-6, WC Docket Nos. 21-450, 11-42, 21-93, 02-60, 10-90, 06-122, Order, 38 FCC Rcd 7922 (WCB 2023) (Hurricane Idalia Order); Affordable Connectivity Program; Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization; Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism; Establishing the Emergency Connectivity Fund to Close the Homework Gap; Rural Health Care Universal Support Mechanism; Connect America Fund; Universal Service Contribution Methodology, CC Docket No. 02-6, WC Docket Nos. 21-450, 11-42, 21-93, 02-60, 10-90, 06-122, Order, 38 FCC Rcd 7587 (WCB 2023) (Hawaii Wildfires Order); Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism; Establishing the Emergency Connectivity Fund to Close the Homework Gap; Rural Health Care Universal Support Mechanism; COVID-19 Telehealth Program; Universal Service Contribution Methodology; Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization; Affordable Connectivity Program; Connect America Fund, CC Docket No. 02-6, WC Docket Nos. 21-93, 02-60, 20-89, 06-122, 11-42, 21-450, and 10-90, Order, 37 FCC Rcd 10803 (WCB 2022) (Hurricane Fiona Order); Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism; Establishing the Emergency Connectivity Fund to Close the Homework Gap; Rural Health Care Universal Support Mechanism; COVID-19 Telehealth Program; Universal Service Contribution Methodology; Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization; Affordable Connectivity Program; Connect America Fund, CC Docket No. 02-6, WC Docket Nos. 21-93, 02-60, 20-89, 06-122, 11-42, 21-450, and 10-90, Order, 37 FCC Rcd 11310 (WCB 2022) (Hurricane Ian Order); Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism; Rural Health Care Universal Service Support Mechanism; Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization; Universal Service Contribution Methodology, CC Docket No. 02-6, WC Docket Nos. 02-60, 11-42, and 06-122, Order, 32 FCC Rcd 7456 (WCB 2017) (Hurricanes Harvey, Irma & Maria Order) (waiving certain E-Rate, RHC, Lifeline, and contribution rules and deadlines for areas impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria); Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service; Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism; Rural Health Care Support Mechanism; Lifeline and Link-Up, CC Docket Nos. 96-45 and 02-6, WC Docket Nos. 02-60 and 03-109, Order, 20 FCC Rcd 16883 (2005) (Hurricane Katrina Order) (adopting temporary rules to provide rural and non-rural public and nonprofit health care providers in areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and in areas where evacuees are located, with assistance in order to help in the recovery efforts).

II. BACKGROUND
2. On April 12, 2026, the President approved Emergency Declarations for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, allowing authorities to provide disaster relief beginning April 12, 2026. See The White House, President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Declaration for Guam (April 12, 2026), https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20260417/president-donald-j-trump-approves-emergency-declaration-guam;  The White House, President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (April 12, 2026), https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20260416/president-donald-j-trump-approves-emergency-declaration-commonwealth.  We refer to Typhoon Sinlaku and all associated weather impacts as the Sinlaku Weather Events.  Similarly, we refer to the Emergency Declarations as Sinlaku Weather Event Declarations.
  On April 14, 2026, Typhoon Sinlaku made landfall on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands and caused historic flooding, significant infrastructure damage, and communications blackouts to affected areas. See John Seewer and Seth Borenstein, AP News, Monster typhoon in the Pacific Ocean is bearing down on group of remote US islands (April 13, 2026), https://apnews.com/article/super-typhoon-pacific-northern-mariana-islands-sinlaku-a17583af1a47784c6a1fdc19ad14967b; Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, Powerful Typhoon Sinlaku​ barrels over remote U.S. islands in Pacific: "Hitting us hard" (April. 15, 2026), https://www.cbsnews.com/news/super-typhoon-sinlaku-remote-us-islands-pacific/;  John Seewer, Kathy McCormack and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Super Typhoon Sinlaku pounds remote US islands in the Pacific Ocean with ferocious winds (April 14, 2026), https://apnews.com/article/super-typhoon-sinlaku-pacific-northern-mariana-islands-edbd6db03456ee26a15c4d996db531b7;  Lucy Cooper, ABC News, Tropical cyclone Sinlaku causes significant damage in Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-15/tropical-cyclone-sinlaku-hits-northern-mariana-islands-and-guam/106565816 (April 15, 2026). 
  
III. DISCUSSION 
3. Historically, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) has granted waivers of certain USF Program deadlines for program participants, service providers, and USF contributors located in areas affected by natural disasters. See supra note 2. 
  Generally, the Commission’s rules may be waived for good cause shown. 47 CFR § 1.3.
  The Commission may exercise its discretion to waive a rule where the particular facts make strict compliance inconsistent with the public interest. Northeast Cellular Telephone Co., v. FCC, 897 F.2d 1164, 1166 (D.C. Cir. 1990); WAIT Radio v. FCC, 418 F.2d 1153, 1159 (D.C. Cir. 1969).
  In addition, the Commission may take into account considerations of hardship, equity, or more effective implementation of overall policy on an individual basis. Northeast Cellular, 897 F.2d at 1166.

4. In response to the damage from the Sinlaku Weather Events, on our own motion, we waive various provisions of the Lifeline, E-Rate, RHC Program, and Contributions rules for those Commission programs’ participants and for USF contributors located in the Affected Disaster Areas. We recognize that entities in the Affected Disaster Areas may need additional relief relating to Lifeline, E-Rate, RHC, and Contributions obligations or relief from High Cost obligations not addressed in this Order as they complete assessments of the damage to their networks. Such entities should request specific relief from the Bureau to address these individualized circumstances.  
  For the purposes of the waivers we grant today related to Typhoon Sinlaku, we define “Affected Disaster Areas” as the areas covered by the Sinlaku Weather Event Declarations and any other Emergency Declarations or Major Disaster Declarations pertaining to the Sinlaku Weather Events, including declarations issued related to the Sinlaku Weather Events after release of this Order.  
A. Lifeline Program
5. We first waive the Lifeline non-usage and recertification requirements for subscribers residing in the Affected Disaster Areas.  We find that good cause exists to waive sections 54.504(e)(3), 54.405(e)(4), 54.407(c)(2), and 54.410(f) of the Commission’s rules for eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) serving Lifeline subscribers residing in the Affected Disaster Areas through June 11, 2026. See 47 CFR §§ 54.405(e)(3), 54.405(e)(4), 54.407(c)(2), 54.410(f).  
  Given the anticipated devastation from the Sinlaku Weather Events to infrastructure in the Affected Disaster Areas, strict compliance with these rules may be impractical and may risk harm to Lifeline subscribers who may be inappropriately de-enrolled during the recovery efforts. See, e.g., Hurricane Ian Order, 37 FCC Rcd at 11310, para. 1 (waiving certain E-Rate, Emergency Connectivity Fund, Rural Health Care, COVID-19 Telehealth, Lifeline, High Cost, and Affordable Connectivity Program rules and deadlines to assist participants and service providers, including Universal Service Fund contributors, located in the areas affected by Hurricane Ian); Hurricane Idalia Order, 38 FCC Rcd at 7922, para. 1 (issuing similar waivers in response to Hurricane Idalia).
  
6. To promote the maintenance and rebuilding of communities affected by the typhoon and to facilitate continued access to telecommunications services for disaster victims, we find it is in the public interest to temporarily waive sections 54.405(e)(3) and 54.407(c)(2) of the Commission’s rules. 47 CFR §§ 54.405(e)(3), 54.407(c)(2).
  Under these rules, ETCs must de-enroll Lifeline subscribers who do not pay a monthly fee for their Lifeline-supported service and do not use that service for 30 consecutive days. See id.
  Waiving these rules will help low-income consumers retain access to emergency communications services during this natural disaster.  This waiver also allows ETCs to continue providing Lifeline service to disaster victims in the Affected Disaster Areas without requiring those subscribers to de-enroll and re-enroll in the program as they continue to work through the damage of the typhoon. After the end of the waiver period, the subscriber will have 30 days (beginning on June 11, 2026) to use their Lifeline-supported service.  If the subscriber does not use their Lifeline-supported service during that 30-day timeframe, they will enter their 15-day cure period on July 11, 2026.  The 15-day cure period will end on July 25, 2026.  In the event of a future disaster, the Bureau will provide guidance on the restart date for the non-usage rules. 
  
7. We also find that good cause exists to waive through June 11, 2026 sections 54.405(e)(4) and 54.410(f) of the Commission’s rules, which require Lifeline subscribers to demonstrate continued eligibility for the program. 47 CFR §§ 54.405(e)(4), 54.410(f).
  This waiver will prevent the de-enrollment of any Lifeline subscribers who would otherwise have been required to certify their continued eligibility to the National Verifier during the waiver period. See 47 CFR § 54.405(e)(4) (requiring 60 days’ notice to subscribers to respond to recertification efforts prior to de-enrollment).
  Waiver of these rules will allow the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and ETCs serving Lifeline subscribers in the Affected Disaster Areas additional time to complete the recertification process.  Disruptions to telephone and Internet service resulting from the Sinlaku Weather Events could make it difficult, if not impossible, for Lifeline subscribers to receive and respond to recertification requests and reminders.  At the expiration of the waiver period, recertification efforts will resume and subscribers who were subject to the waiver will have an additional 60 days to respond to recertification notices.  
8. Where USAC has already conducted recertification outreach, we direct USAC to not conduct de-enrollments for any subscriber who would have been de-enrolled, and was not actually de-enrolled, after April 12, 2026.  USAC should send new outreach to these subscribers at the end of this waiver period, as is practicable, and give such subscribers an additional 60 days to complete their recertification activity.  Any subscriber who has already recertified their eligibility is not required to undergo an additional recertification at the end of the waiver period, and any subscriber who had previously de-enrolled from the program must re-enroll pursuant to the Commission’s rules.  
9. ETCs in the Affected Disaster Areas that are unable to comply with the Lifeline non-usage and recertification requirements at the end of this waiver period may request additional, narrowly tailored relief from these requirements from the Bureau.  Additionally, if the Sinlaku Weather Events significantly impacts an ETC’s ability to complete an ongoing Lifeline audit, the Bureau will consider requests for extension of any relevant deadlines on a case-by-case basis.  
B. E-Rate Program 
10. For applicants and service providers located in the Affected Disaster Areas, we waive, on a temporary basis, the following E-Rate program rules: (1) the 60-day deadline to file appeals and requests for waiver; (2) the deadline to file FCC Forms 486, 472, and 474; (3) the September 30, 2026 service implementation deadline for non-recurring services; (4) portions of the service and equipment substitution rule; and (5) document retention and production requirements for participating E-Rate applicants and service providers whose documents were destroyed by the Sinlaku Weather Events. 
11. E-Rate Program Deadlines.  For applicants located in Affected Disaster Areas, we waive, on a temporary basis, the following deadlines that may occur on and after April 12, 2026, E-Rate program participants located in the Affected Disaster Areas who may have already missed these deadlines due to damage or disruption caused by the Sinlaku Weather Events may submit the required filings up to 150 calendar days from the release date of this Order.  
 and provide those affected with up to 150 calendar days from the release date of this Order to submit the required filing: We note that USAC, the Administrator of the universal service support programs, including the E-Rate program, has already suspended many of its administrative deadlines for applicants in the Affected Disaster Areas pursuant to its natural disaster procedures.  
 
· Requests for review or waiver of decisions by USAC, directed to USAC or the Commission. 47 CFR §§ 1.106, 54.720.  Parties who rely on this waiver as a basis for filing their request for review or waiver beyond the required deadline should include this waiver in their filing.

· Filing FCC Form 486 (Receipt of Service Confirmation and Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Certification Form). Instructions for Completing the Schools and Libraries Universal Service, Receipt of Service Confirmation Form (FCC Form 486), OMB 3060-0853 at 4; see also Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, Children’s Internet Protection Act, CC Docket No. 96-45, Order, 17 FCC Rcd 12443, 12445, para. 5 (2002).

· Filing FCC Form 472 (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form) and FCC Form 474 (Service Provider Invoice Form). 47 CFR § 54.514(a).  Given the significant damage expected from the Sinlaku Weather Events, consistent with precedent we find that extraordinary circumstances exist warranting a waiver of the invoice filing deadline rule.  See Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria Order, 32 FCC Rcd at 7458, n.13 (waiving the E-Rate invoice filing deadline for areas impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria); Hurricane Ida Order, 36 FCC Rcd at 13407-08, at para. 5 (waiving the E-Rate invoice filing deadline for areas impacted by Hurricane Ida); Hurricane Fiona Order, 37 FCC Rcd at 10805, para. 5 (waiving the E-Rate invoice filing deadline for areas impacted by Hurricane Fiona); Hurricane Ian Order, 37 FCC Rcd at 11312, para. 5 (waiving the E-Rate invoice filing deadline for areas impacted by Hurricane Ian); Petition of TeleGuam Holdings, LLC for Waiver and Certain Other Relief; Affordable Connectivity Program; Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization; Schools and Libraries Universal Support Mechanism; Rural Health Care Universal Service Support Mechanism; Connect America Fund; Universal Service Contribution Methodology; Telephone Number Portability; Numbering Resource Optimization, CC Docket Nos. 02-6, 95-116, 99-200, WC Docket Nos. 21-450, 11-42, 02-60, 10-90, 06-122, Order, 38 FCC Rcd 6027, 6034, para. 16 (WCB 2023) (Typhoon Mawar Order) (waiving the E-Rate invoice filing deadline for areas impacted by Typhoon Mawar); Hawaii Wildfires Order, 38 FCC Rcd at 7594, para. 16 (waiving the E-Rate invoice filing deadline for areas impacted by the Hawaii Wildfires); Hurricane Idalia Order, 38 FCC Rcd at 7929, para. 16 (waiving the E-Rate invoice filing deadline for areas impacted by Hurricane Idalia); Hurricane Helene Order, 39 FCC Rcd at 10906, para. 11 (waiving the E-Rate invoice filing deadline for areas impacted by Hurricane Helene); Hurricane Milton Order, 2024 WL 4474868, at *3, para. 12; see also Modernizing the E-Rate Program for Schools and Libraries, WC Docket No. 13-184, Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 29 FCC Rcd at 8965-66, paras. 238-40 (2014).

12. Service Implementation Deadline Extensions.  Additionally, we find that good cause exists to waive section 54.507(d)(4) of the Commission’s rules, subject to the limitations herein, for applicants located in the Affected Disaster Areas.  In light of the recent impact of Typhoon Sinlaku and anticipated impact of the Sinlaku Weather Events, we understand some applicants in the Affected Disaster Areas may not be able to complete the installation of internal connections and other non-recurring services by the September 30, 2026 deadline for Funding Year (FY) 2025.  Consistent with the actions taken for areas affected by Hurricane Helene, See Hurricane Helene Order, at *6, para. 12.
 we extend the FY 2025 implementation deadline for non-recurring services to September 30, 2027 for applicants in the Affected Disaster Areas, and we likewise extend the deadline for all other applicants located in the Affected Disaster Areas that have non-recurring service funding requests with September 30, 2026 as the deadline. 47 CFR § 54.507(d)(4); see also Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, CC Docket No, 02-6, Order, 37 FCC Rcd 10727, 10728, para. 4 (WCB 2022) (extending the service implementation deadline for certain FY 2020 and 2021 funding requests that had September 30, 2022 as the deadline pursuant to section 47 CFR § 54.507(d)(4)). 
  
13. Service and Equipment Substitutions.  Consistent with precedent, See, e.g., Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria Order, 32 FCC Rcd at 9543-44, para. 10 (providing increased flexibility for E-Rate program service substitutions in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria); Hurricane Ida Order, 36 FCC Rcd at 13409, para. 8 (providing increased flexibility for E-Rate program service substitutions following the aftermath of Hurricane Ida); Hurricane Fiona Order, 37 FCC Rcd at 10807-08, para. 8 (providing increased flexibility for E-Rate program service substitutions following the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona); Hurricane Ian Order, 37 FCC Rcd at 11314-15, para. 8 (providing increased flexibility for E-Rate program service substitutions following the aftermath of Hurricane Ian); Typhoon Mawar Order, 38 FCC Rcd at 6036-37, para. 18 (providing increased flexibility for E-Rate program service substitutions following the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar); Hawaii Wildfires Order, 38 FCC Rcd at 7595, para. 18 (providing increased flexibility for E-Rate program service substitutions following the aftermath of the Hawaii Wildfires); Hurricane Idalia Order, 38 FCC Rcd at 7930-32, para. 18 (providing increased flexibility for E-Rate program service substitutions following the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia); Hurricane Helene Order, 39 FCC Rcd at 10907, para. 13 (providing increased flexibility for E-Rate program service substitutions following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene; Milton Hurricane Order, 2024 WL 4474868, at *4, para. 14 (providing increased flexibility after Hurricane Milton). 
 we also provide increased flexibility for service and equipment substitutions in the Affected Disaster Areas.  Section 54.504(d) of the Commission’s rules allows USAC to grant a request by an applicant to substitute a service or product for another where: (a) the service or product has the same functionality; The Commission previously determined that an equipment or service substitution request does not have the same functionality if it “changes the type of service requested pursuant to the original funding request from one category to another (e.g., a change from telecommunications service to internal connections, or a change from Internet access to telecommunications service).”  Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, CC Docket No. 02-6, Third Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 18 FCC Rcd 26912, 26925, n.82 (2003).
 (b) the substitution does not violate any contract provision or state or local procurement laws; (c) the substitution does not result in an increase in the percentage of ineligible services or functions; and (d) the applicant certifies that the requested change is within the scope of the controlling FCC Form 470. 47 CFR § 54.504(d)(1)(iv).
  For applicants located in Affected Disaster Areas that need to replace services or product(s) that may be disrupted, destroyed, or rendered unusable by the Sinlaku Weather Events, we waive this rule to exclude the requirement that the substituted service or product(s) must have the same functionality as the service or product that it is replacing. 47 CFR § 54.504(d)(1)(i).  We remind applicants that they may only request service and equipment substitutions if the implementation deadline for the service or product to be replaced has not passed.  See, e.g., 47 CFR § 54.507(d)(1), (d)(4); see also Modernizing the E-Rate Program for Schools and Libraries, Connect America Fund, WC Docket Nos. 13-184, 10-90, Second Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, 29 FCC Rcd 15538, 15550, 15558, paras. 37, 49 (2014) (Second 2014 E-Rate Order).
  This will allow applicants in the Affected Disaster Areas maximum flexibility to substitute services and product(s) based on their local needs without being constrained by categories of service or service types (e.g., applicants may substitute Internet access service with internal connections and vice versa), In some cases, replacing one type of service with another may require applicants to switch service providers.  The Commission’s rules permit applicants to do so when: (a) it is allowed under an applicant’s state and local procurement rules; (b) it is allowed under the terms of any contract between the applicant and its original service provider; (c) the applicant has notified its original service provider of its intent to change service providers; (d) there is a legitimate reason to change providers (e.g., the service provider is unable to perform the requested services); and (e) the newly selected service provider received the next highest point value in the original bid evaluation.  See Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, et al., CC Docket Nos. 02-6, et al., Sixth Report and Order, 25 FCC Rcd 18762, 18803, para. 91, n.272 (2010) (Schools and Libraries Sixth Report and Order) (citing Request for Review by Copan Public Schools, Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, Changes to the Board of Directors of the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc., Order, CC Docket Nos. 96-45 and 97-21, 15 FCC Rcd 5498 (2000) (Copan Order), and stating that the new requirements are in addition to those outlined in the Copan Order).
 so that they may use already approved E-Rate funding to replace damaged or destroyed products(s) and restore services, subject to the limitations stated herein. Beginning in Funding Year 2021, school districts and library systems were permitted to transfer equipment between schools within a district and libraries within a system without notifying USAC of the transfer.  See 47 CFR § 54.513(d); Modernizing the E-Rate Program for Schools and Libraries, WC Docket No. 13-184, Report and Order, 34 FCC Rcd 11219, 11238-39, para. 49 (2019).  However, both the transferor and recipient must maintain detailed records documenting the transfer and the reason for the transfer for a period of five years as required by the Commission’s rules.  47 CFR § 54.513(d). 
  We believe this additional flexibility will allow applicants, given their specific understanding of their circumstances, to use E-Rate funding in ways that best meet their needs.  The flexibility conferred by this measure effectively waives section 54.504(d)(1)(i) of the Commission’s rules while keeping the remaining aspects of our service and equipment substitution rule intact.  Applicants must continue to ensure that a service and/or equipment substitution: (a) does not violate any contract provisions; The additional flexibility provided for applicants located in the Affected Disaster Areas seeking substitutions for services and products damaged by Typhoon Sinlaku is not intended to invalidate any contracts between applicants and service providers.  Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring that requested equipment and service substitutions are permitted under their agreements with service providers.
 (b) does not violate state or local procurement laws; (c) does not result in an increase in the percentage of ineligible services or functions; and (d) is within the scope of an FCC Form 470. 47 CFR § 54.504(d).  In the event that an equipment or service substitution results in a change in the pre-discount price for the supported equipment or service, support is based on the lower of either the pre-discount price of the equipment or service for which support was originally requested or the pre-discount price of the new, substituted equipment or service.  See 47 CFR § 54.504(d)(2).
  Applicants must also request approval of service and/or equipment substitutions by submitting a service and/or equipment substitution request to USAC.
14. Documentation Retention and Production.  We also recognize that applicants and service providers in the Affected Disaster Areas may lose records as a result of the destruction caused by the Sinlaku Weather Events.  We waive section 54.516(a) of our rules with respect to such destroyed records, which requires schools, libraries, consortia, and service providers to retain all documents related to their application for at least 10 years after the latter of the last day of the applicable funding year or the service delivery deadline for the funding request. 47 CFR § 54.516(a).
  Applicants and service providers will not be penalized for failure to retain or produce records destroyed by the Sinlaku Weather Events.  Applicants and service providers that rely on this waiver as a basis for not retaining or producing records, upon request from USAC or the Commission, will be required to certify that the records, and any copies of such records, were destroyed by the Sinlaku Weather Events.  Additionally, applicants and service providers are responsible for obtaining such records, where available, from a third party upon request by USAC or the Commission.  We note that the record retention and production requirements under our rules continue to apply to all records that were not destroyed by the Sinlaku Weather Events, including records relating to any relief granted by this Order.
15. We find that the significant property damage, power outages, and disruptions in services anticipated to be caused by the Sinlaku Weather Events in the Affected Disaster Areas constitutes extraordinary circumstances warranting the temporary waiver of the rules and procedures described above.  We find that a 150-day waiver period for the filing deadlines listed above and other relief granted by this Order are appropriate measures to accommodate the disruptions caused by the Sinlaku Weather Events, while continuing to protect program integrity.  E-Rate applicants or service providers in the Affected Disaster Areas that are unable to comply with these program deadlines or procedures at the end of this period may request additional, narrowly-tailored relief from these or other requirements from the Bureau.  
C. Rural Health Care Program 
16. For health care providers and service providers located in the Affected Disaster Areas, we waive, on a temporary basis, the following Rural Health Care (RHC) Program rules: (1) the 60-day deadline to file appeals and requests for waiver; (2) the 14-day deadline to respond to USAC information requests; (3) the five-year documentation retention and production rules for participating health care providers and service providers whose documents are destroyed by the Sinlaku Weather Events; and (4) the invoice deadline.  
17. Deadline for Appeals and Requests for Waiver.  We waive and extend the 60-day deadlines in section 54.720(b) of the Commission’s rules for requests for review or waiver of decisions by USAC or directed to USAC or the Commission. 47 CFR § 54.720(a)-(b).
  We find that waiving the deadline for health care providers and service providers in the Affected Disaster Areas for filing appeals and waivers is an appropriate measure to accommodate the extraordinary circumstances anticipated to be caused by the Sinlaku Weather Events.  We understand that the disruptions anticipated to be caused by the Sinlaku Weather Events will continue to impact health care providers and service providers in the affected areas and find that any harm in giving petitioners additional time to submit their filings is outweighed by the significant public interest benefits.  To reduce the burden on petitioners, we direct USAC to automatically provide petitioners with an additional 60 days to file appeals and waivers.  This waiver will be in effect for all deadlines of appeals and waiver requests from April 12, 2026, through 150 calendar days from the release of this Order.  
18. Response Time for USAC Information Requests.  We waive the 14-day deadline for applicants in the Affected Disaster Areas to respond to information requests from USAC. See Rural Health Care Support Mechanism, WC Docket No. 02-60, Order, 30 FCC Rcd 230, 230, para. 1 (2015) (FCC Form 466 Documentation Order).
  This waiver applies to information requests related to funding requests, appeals and waivers, invoices, audits, and other documentation submitted by program participants.  We understand that in response to the Sinlaku Weather Events, health care providers in the Affected Disaster Areas may find it necessary to divert their administrative resources or be unable to access facilities, which would impede their ability to respond timely to USAC information requests.  This waiver will apply to all information requests issued to program participants in Affected Disaster Areas on or after April 12, 2026, regardless of the funding year for which those requests relate.  We provide affected health care providers and service providers with up to 150 calendar days from the effective date of this Order to respond to information requests from USAC.     
19. Documentation Retention and Production.  We also recognize that applicants and service providers in the Affected Disaster Areas may lose records in the destruction anticipated to be caused by the Sinlaku Weather Events.  With respect to such destroyed records, we waive section 54.631(b) of the Commission’s RHC Program rules, which requires health care providers and service providers to retain all documents specified by the rule for at least five years after the last day of the delivery of supported services in a given funding year. 47 CFR § 54.631(b).
  Program participants will not be penalized for failure to retain records destroyed by the Sinlaku Weather Events.  Applicants and service providers are responsible, however, for obtaining such records, where available, from a third party upon request by USAC or the Commission.  Program participants that rely on this waiver as a basis for not retaining or producing records upon request from USAC or the Commission, will be required to certify that the records, and any copies of such records, were destroyed by the Sinlaku Weather Events.  We note that the record retention requirements under our rules continue to apply to all records that were not destroyed by the Sinlaku Weather Events, including records relating to any relief granted by this Order. 
20. Invoice Deadline.  We next waive section 54.627(a) to automatically grant a 120-day extension of the invoice deadline for all funding year 2025 funding requests from health care providers in Affected Disaster Areas.  Section 54.627(a) requires that RHC Program participants submit invoices to USAC within 120 days after the later of: (1) the service delivery deadline; or (2) the date of a revised funding commitment letter issued pursuant to an approved post-commitment request made by the applicant or service provider or a successful appeal of a previously denied or reduced funding request. 47 CFR § 54.627(a).
  Program participants may request a one-time extension of the invoice filing deadline. 47 CFR § 54.627(b).
  If the extension is timely requested, USAC is required to grant a 120-day extension. Id.
  We find that waiving the invoice deadline is an appropriate measure to accommodate the extraordinary circumstances anticipated to be caused by the Sinlaku Weather Events.  We also understand that the disruptions caused by the Sinlaku Weather Events will continue to impact health care providers and service providers in the Affected Disaster Areas and find that any harm in giving program participants additional time to submit their invoices is outweighed by the significant public interest benefits.  To reduce the burden on participants, we direct USAC to automatically provide participants in the Affected Disaster Areas with an additional 120 days to submit their invoices. 
D. Contributions
21. To provide further relief for affected companies, we waive additional rules and requirements for affected contributors to the USF.  We find that good cause exists to waive these rules and requirements, subject to the limitations herein, for providers serving the Affected Disaster Areas.  The extensive damage to property and facilities caused by the Sinlaku Weather Events may render many providers unable to serve the Affected Disaster Areas.  We find that these extremely unusual circumstances warrant a temporary waiver of the contributions rules and requirements described below.  We have taken similar action under extreme circumstances in the past, See Hurricane Milton Order, 2024 WL 4474868, at *9-10, paras. 29-34 (waiving certain contribution rules and deadlines to assist contributors affected by Hurricane Milton). 
 and find that granting this emergency relief will temporarily alleviate burdens on service providers in the Affected Disaster Areas.  
22. Form 499-Q Deadlines and Late Fees.  First, we extend the third quarter FCC Form 499-Q filing deadline by 30 days and extend the 45-day revision deadline until the start of the next quarter for contributors serving the Affected Disaster Areas. Not all FCC Form 499-Q filing deadlines are extended for contributors in the Affected Disaster Areas, only those filings that are either due within 30 days of the declaration or are within the 45-day revision period. 
  Extending these deadlines will allow USAC to recalculate the contribution obligations for affected providers to immediately reflect the effect of the Sinlaku Weather Events on contributor revenues rather than having to wait until next year’s FCC Form 499-A true-up process.
23. We next temporarily waive sections 54.713(b)-(c) of the Commission’s rules for providers located in the Affected Disaster Areas. 47 CFR § 54.713(b)-(c).
  We direct USAC to refrain from assessing late fees on FCC Form 499-Q filings made by these providers after the upcoming May 1 filing deadline until July 1, 2026. 47 CFR § 54.713(c).  We direct USAC to utilize Line 109 of the FCC Form 499-A to determine whether a provider’s headquarters is located in an Affected Disaster Area.
  We extend this temporary waiver to consultants and third-party preparers that are based in Affected Disaster Areas and whose operations may likely sustain damage due to the Sinlaku Weather Events thus preventing them from meeting the May 1 FCC Form 499-Q deadline.  We find that this temporary waiver will prevent these groups whose operations may likely be substantially impacted by the Sinlaku Weather Events from being unfairly penalized for missing this filing deadline.  We additionally direct USAC to refrain from assessing interest and penalties incurred by affected contributors until after July 1, 2026.  Finally, we direct USAC to temporarily suspend certain collection activities for providers in the Affected Disaster Areas, as described below.  
24. Red Light Rule.  We waive the red light rule for providers in the Affected Disaster Areas.  Collections and disbursement rules associated with the Debt Collection Improvement Act (DCIA), Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1358 (1996).
 stated in Part 1 of the Commission’s rules, describe specific provisions which include a rule commonly referred to as the red light rule. Amendment of Parts 0 and 1 of the Commission's Rules/Implementation of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 and Adoption of Rules Governing Applications or Requests for Benefits by Delinquent Debtors, Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 6540 (2004).  
  The red light rule requires that action be withheld on any application or other request for benefits made by an entity that is delinquent in debts owed to the Commission and dismissal of such applications or requests if the delinquent debt is not resolved. See 47 CFR § 1.1910(b).
  With respect to universal service, when an entity’s account becomes delinquent by one day, that entity, as well as any other entity associated with it through a shared taxpayer identification number, will be subject to the red light rule and considered to be in red light status. See USAC, Late Payments, DCIA, Red Light, https://www.usac.org/service-providers/making-payments/late-payments-dcia-red-light/ (last visited April 17, 2026).
  USAC will withhold all program support payments to that entity and any associated entities until the delinquency has been satisfied. Id.
  Although entities owing debts to the government generally should not receive further benefits from it, we find that the disruption expected to be caused by the Sinlaku Weather Events constitutes extremely unusual circumstances and justifies an exception in this case.  We find that it is in the public interest and good cause exists to waive the red light rule until July 1, 2026 for providers in the Affected Disaster Areas.
25. Transfer to Treasury.  Once a debt with USAC becomes 91 days delinquent, the full amount of the outstanding debt is eligible for a DCIA transfer to the United States Department of Treasury for debt collection. Id.; see also 31 U.S.C. § 3711(g); 31 CFR §§ 285.12(c) and 901.1; 47 CFR § 1.1917.
  Consistent with the additional relief provided for contributors impacted by the Sinlaku Weather Events and to the extent possible, any debts incurred by providers located in the Affected Disaster Areas will not be transferred to Treasury for collection activities between the effective date of this Order and July 1, 2026. See 31 U.S.C. § 3711(a)(3); 31 CFR § 903.2(a)(2).
 
26. We expect that suspending collection activities along with the extensions of filing deadlines and waivers of late fees may help affected providers to continue operations and enable them to accurately file or revise their projected revenues for the second, third, and fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027.  Accordingly, the contribution obligations for those quarters will account for the impact of the Sinlaku Weather Events on the business of these providers.  Thus, we do not find it necessary to extend relief beyond July 1, 2026.  However, we note that any provider that is unable to comply with the Commission’s contributions rules and requirements after July 1, 2026 may request additional, narrowly-tailored relief from the Bureau. 47 CFR § 1.3.

E. Protecting Program Integrity
27. We are committed to protecting the integrity of the Lifeline, E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Contributions, and High Cost programs (collectively, FCC programs).  Although we grant the limited waivers described herein, program participants, service providers, and USF contributors remain otherwise subject to audits and investigations to determine compliance with FCC program rules and requirements.  We will require USAC to recover funds through its normal process that we discover were not used properly.  We emphasize that we retain the discretion to evaluate the uses of monies disbursed through the FCC programs and to determine on a case-by-case basis that waste, fraud, or abuse of program funds occurred, and that recovery is warranted.  Additionally, in the event we discover any improper activity resulting from our action today, we will subject the offending party to all available penalties at our disposal, including directing USAC to recover funds, assess retroactive fees and/or interest, or both.  We remain committed to ensuring the integrity of the FCC programs.
IV. ORDERING CLAUSES 
28. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to the authority in sections 1-4, 251(b)(2), 251(e), and 254 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended 47 U.S.C. §§ 151-154, 251(b)(2), 251(e), and 254, and sections 0.91, 0.291, and 1.3 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §§ 0.91, 0.291, and 1.3, that sections 47 CFR §§ 1.1910(b), 54.405(e)(3), 54.405(e)(4), 54.407(c)(2), 54.410(f), 54.504(d)(1)(i), 54.507(d)(4), 54.514(a), 54.516(a), 54.627(a), 54.631(b), 54.713(b)-(c) and 54.720(b) of the Commission’s rules ARE WAIVED to the extent provided herein.
29.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to section 1.102(b)(1) of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 1.102(b)(1), this Order SHALL BE EFFECTIVE upon release.


FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION




Joseph S. Calascione
Chief
Wireline Competition Bureau


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