1. Lifeline National Verifier
Universal Service Administrative Company

2. What is Lifeline? Monthly discount on phone & broadband service
Subscribers prove eligibility through participation in qualifying program or demonstrating income at or below 135% of federal poverty guideline
Available in every state, territory, commonwealth & on Tribal lands
13 million U.S. households participate in the federal Lifeline program
What it is.
© 2016 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program

3. Background

4. Lifeline National Verifier Background
In the 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order, the FCC directed USAC to develop a National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier (National Verifier)
The National Verifier will use both electronic and manual methods to:
Determine initial subscriber eligibility
Populate the Lifeline Eligibility Database (all subscribers deemed eligible for the Lifeline Program)
Conduct annual recertifications
Calculate support payments
Verification is the process to determine whether a customer is eligible for Lifeline based on income or through participation in a qualifying program.
© 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program

5. Current Lifeline Enrollment Process
Consumer contacts service provider of their choice to enroll in the program
Service provider verifies eligibility
If eligible, begins providing discounted service
SP submits for reimbursement for service provided to USAC
USAC reimburses SP
Service Providers
Applicant
© 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program

6. Future Lifeline Enrollment Process
Apply directly via web, mail, etc.
Applicant
National Verifier:
Lifeline Eligibility Database (LED)
National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD)
Stage gated eligibility check through Federal/State databases
Apply via SP
SP checks eligibility through National Verifier
Must recertify
each year
Service Providers
LED interfaces with Federal/State databases to check eligibility
© 2016 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar

7. National Verfier Roles

8. Roles in the Lifeline National Verifier
USAC
Conduct identity and duplicate checks (NLAD)
Process customer applications and verify eligibility prior to enrollment
Annual recertification
Provide customer support
State & Federal Agencies
Sign computer matching agreements (CMAs) with USAC
Facilitate data transfer from state or federal database to the Lifeline Eligibility Database
Service Providers
Facilitate application process
In stores and online
Support document upload for manual eligibility checks (if needed)
Customer support
Comply with requirements
E.g., review NLAD list of subscribers and confirm service was provided
© 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program

9. Building the National Verifier

10. Lifeline National Verifier Development
As we design and develop the National Verifier, USAC is committed to:
Using an iterative design process based on research and direct feedback from stakeholders
Ongoing communication about our progress
Reducing the burden on carriers, states, and consumers
Streamlining the consumer enrollment experience
© 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program

11. Key Considerations
Throughout the National Verifier Build & Implementation, USAC will consider:
Eligibility verification processes and the databases that house these determinations vary across states and territories and the NV must reflect this complexity
Carriers need information in a timely manner to prepare and implement process changes as the National Verifier is deployed
Until the National Verifier is deployed nationwide, carriers operating in multiple states will employ parallel processes
USAC must provide frequent updates and transparent processes
The National Verifier is a big shift and USAC will remain engaged with all stakeholders to address concerns on how the changes will impact their work
© 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program

12. Lifeline National Verifier Quick Facts
The National Verifier will replace eligibility verification performed by carriers.
The National Verifier will work with both federal and state data sources for qualifying programs to conduct eligibility checks.
The National Verifier seeks a “Yes/No” result to verify what it has been told about a consumer’s eligibility.
USAC is interested in having a flexible process that works best for consumers and carriers.
The National Verifier will be responsible for any manual eligibility reviews.
© 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program

13. National Verifier Timeline

14. Overview of Lifeline National Verifier Launch Schedule
When
What
Started, ongoing
Gather feedback
August 2017
Begin releasing tech specs
August 30, 2017
Announce first states to join the NV
December 2017
Soft launch
March 2018
Hard launch
© 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar

15. National Verifier Feedback & Updates

16. Your Feedback Is Important
Come find us up front, next to registration to:
Review DRAFT National Verifier application screens and share your insight
Talk to us about Lifeline
You can stop by or sign up for a specific time to chat
© 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program

17. Lifeline National Verifier System Build Updates
Visit our website to sign up for National Verifier Build Update s, where we will share system build progress via development and schedule updates
Check the Lifeline Program Newsletter and the National Verifier Blog for general news about the National Verifier
© 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar

18. Other Feedback Opportunities
Stakeholder feedback is important to the National Verifier’s development. We look forward to your feedback via:
Webinars: In the Lifeline Program Update Webinars, USAC will discuss NV feedback. We’re crafting the webinar schedule to suit our stakeholders and will be in touch with updates.
Send us Feedback: You can submit feedback any time via to or as a comment on the National Verifier Blog.
Webinars: We’re trying to get dates that will work for everyone Tech Forum: Specify medium
Feedback: We welcome your feedback…share updates with us via…
© 2017 Universal Service Administrative Co. l Lifeline Program Webinar