PSC 160.06(5)(5) Applicant requirements. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an applicant is only eligible for low-income assistance programs under this chapter if the applicant provides all of the information required under state and federal law.

PSC 160.06 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, April, 1996, No. 484, eff. 5-1-96; renum. (1) to be (1) (intro.) and am. (1) (intro.), renum. (5) (a) to be (5), cr. (1) (a) to (c), am. (3) and (4), r. (5) (b), Register, April, 2000, No. 532, eff. 5-1-00; CR 13-068: renum. (1) to (1) (a) and am. (a) (intro.), 1., 2., r. (1) (a) 3., cr. (1) (a) 3., 4., (b), (c), am. (2), (3), renum. (4) to (4) (b) and am., cr. (4) (a), r. and recr. (5) Register January 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16.

PSC 160.061PSC 160.061 Link-up program. The commission may fund programs to identify and provide monetary assistance to low-income persons who are unlikely to be able to obtain telecommunications service without such assistance. Such programs may include customers who qualify for federal universal service fund support for eligible residents of tribal lands under 47 CFR 54.400 et seq.

PSC 160.061 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, April, 1996, No. 484, eff. 5-1-96; am. (1) and (6), Register, April, 2000, No. 532, eff. 5-1-00; CR 13-068: r. and recr. Register January 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16.

PSC 160.062(1)(a)(a) For purposes of subs. (2) to (7), “eligible telecommunications carrier” or “ETC” means only full and low-income ETCs, and does not include federal-only ETCs.

PSC 160.062(1)(b)(b) For purposes of this section, “line” means an access line, service to an activated wireless handset, or service to an internet connection used as a substitute for a traditional telecommunications connection.

PSC 160.062(1)(c)(c) For purposes of this section, “lifeline monthly rate” means the lifeline base rate under sub. (2) minus the lifeline adjustment under sub. (2g) or (2r).

PSC 160.062(1g)(1g) Applicability. An eligible telecommunications carrier may apply the lifeline adjustment under sub. (2g) to any residential service that includes voice service, including bundles of voice and data services, and bundles that include optional calling features such as caller identification, call waiting, voice mail and three-way calling.

PSC 160.062(1r)(a)(a) All eligible telecommunications carriers shall offer to all qualified low-income customers a lifeline adjustment to the customer’s rate for either of the following:

PSC 160.062(1r)(a)1.1. Essential telecommunications service, whether stand-alone or as part of a service package.

PSC 160.062(1r)(a)2.2. Internet access, if the customer demonstrates that, because of his or her disability other than cognitive impairment, certified under s. PSC 160.071 (1), the customer requires internet access that is adequate to support service that is substitutable for and comparable to essential telecommunications service.

PSC 160.062 NoteNote: Subd. 2. does not require a provider to offer internet access service. If provider offers a service needed under subd. 2., or bills for such a service provided by an affiliate, the provider applies the lifeline adjustment to the price of that service and collects some of the payment from the customer and some from the USF.

PSC 160.062(1r)(b)(b) An ETC taking an application for the lifeline program shall do the following:

PSC 160.062(1r)(b)1.1. Unless the ETC uses a state or federal duplication prevention database, ask the applicant if he or she is currently receiving a lifeline adjustment on any other line.

PSC 160.062(1r)(b)2.2. Require the applicant to certify that he or she is not currently receiving a lifeline adjustment on any other line or from any other provider.

PSC 160.062 NoteNote: For example, see 47 CFR 54.410 regarding use of state databases for eligibility verification.

PSC 160.062(1r)(c)(c) A customer may not request a lifeline adjustment on more than one line. An ETC shall not apply the lifeline adjustment unless the customer has certified under par. (b) that the customer is not receiving a lifeline adjustment on another line or from any other provider.

PSC 160.062(1r)(d)(d) If an ETC becomes aware that a customer is receiving a lifeline adjustment on more than one line or from more than one provider, the ETC shall provide notice and take action under sub. (4) to ensure that the customer receives a lifeline adjustment on only one line.

PSC 160.062(2)(a)(a) For an eligible telecommunications carrier offering local service on a stand-alone basis, the sum of:

PSC 160.062(2)(a)1.1. The in-state charges and fees for stand-alone single-party residential service with touch-tone, including, as applicable, all of the following: