FCC "Soft" Launches National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier in Another 11 States

The Federal Communications Commission is "soft" launching its national Lifeline eligibility verifier in another 11 states on June 25: Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) in those states who are eligible for the Lifeline subsidies will not be able to begin any subscriber recertifications after June 25 and should wrap up any current certifications under the existing rules by Aug 30. Certification consists of verifying that the subscribers it is serving with subsidies ($9.25 per month) qualify for the program, which is targeted at low-income residents and tied to qualifying for various other government subsidy programs.  ETCs will be able to test the new verifier before the FCC mandates its use so their employees can be ready on day one. During the "soft" launch, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will start recertifying subscribers using the national verifier. Anyone who can't be certified will be excluded from the program.