FCC Announces the Next National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier Launch

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau announced that the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier (National Verifier) will soft launch on December 16, 2019 in Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The soft launch period will allow eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) to become familiar with the National Verifier and adjust and test their systems and business processes before use of the National Verifier becomes mandatory. During the soft launch, only ETCs will have access to the National Verifier. ETCs will also have access to a pre-production test environment in the National Verifier to improve their ability to conduct sample transactions and train their employees for readiness. 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. ETCs in Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin should not begin any recertifications for Lifeline subscribers as of December 16, 2019 and should finish any currently open recertifications for Lifeline subscribers in these states no later than February 21, 2020. In addition, USAC will begin reverification of existing Lifeline subscribers in these five states during the soft launch period.