FCC Seeks Input Concerning Low Income USF Program

On February 23, 2010, the Universal Service Administrative Company filed a letter with the Wireline Competition Bureau seeking guidance from the Bureau on certain aspects of Line 9 of FCC Form 497, the Lifeline and Link Up Worksheet.

Line 9 of FCC Form 497 is used by eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) to report pro-rated low-income support amounts claimed. Specifically, USAC notes that audits of the low-income program have identified carriers that have not pro-rated requests for Lifeline support amounts for customers whose Lifeline service is initiated or terminated mid-month, and asks the FCC what recovery action, if any, USAC should take against an ETC that has failed to pro-rate support claims for partial-month Lifeline customers. Additionally, USAC seeks the FCC guidance on whether ETCs may use Line 9 for any purpose other than to report the amount of support attributed to partial-month Lifeline customers.

Interested parties may file comments on or before April 9, 2010, and reply comments on or before April 23, 2010. All pleadings are to reference WC Docket No. 03-109.