USAC Automates the Lifeline Continued Eligibility Process

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will utilize a new process to confirm existing subscribers’ Lifeline program eligibility if there is reason to believe that a subscriber is no longer eligible for their Lifeline service. USAC will reach out to the subscriber and direct them to the National Verifier to verify their eligibility through a continued eligibility application. The National Verifier supports the continued eligibility process by streamlining, automating, and tracking subscriber outreach and response, a process that was previously manual and ad hoc in nature. This new process functions similarly to the Death Master File (DMF) monthly process. In response to USAC’s outreach, consumers are able to confirm their eligibility using the National Verifier consumer portal, National Verifier service provider portal, Eligibility Check API, or via mail. USAC will de-enroll subscribers who do not complete a qualified continued eligibility application five business days after the end of their 30-day resolution window. Service providers can access the Continued Eligibility Subscriber Status Report in NLAD in order to see which of their subscribers are going through the process. The report provides detail for each subscriber, including the contact information, Application ID, expiration date, and errors to be resolved. Subscriber de-enrollment information is also listed (if applicable). The Continued Eligibility Subscriber Status Report updates daily, based on data received from the National Verifier. This new process does not impact the recently extended Lifeline COVID-19 Waivers, and USAC will implement this process in accordance with those waivers.