PSC 160.062(2g)(a)1.1. If the lifeline base rate is $25 or less, the lifeline adjustment shall be $10. PSC 160.062(2g)(a)2.2. If the lifeline base rate is greater than $25, the lifeline adjustment shall be the lesser of the following: PSC 160.062 NoteNote: Subsection (2g) (a) 2. b. caps the adjustment at, essentially, double the maximum amount available from the federal USF at the time the rules went into effect. In the future, the amount available from the federal USF may increase, but the state portion is frozen at $9.25 so that if, for example, the federal subscriber line charge is raised and paid for through the federal USF, the state does not automatically increase its reimbursement portion. This step was taken to protect the state fund by blocking any automatic increase in state reimbursement due to federal action.
PSC 160.062(2g)(b)(b) If the ETC offers prepaid wireless service, the lifeline adjustment for that service shall be the greater of the following: PSC 160.062(2g)(b)1.1. The number of minutes that, when calculated using the lowest per minute rate the ETC offers to its prepaid wireless customers, equals or exceeds the value of the adjustment under par. (a) that would otherwise apply. PSC 160.062(2g)(b)2.2. The number of minutes recognized by the federal communications commission as an acceptable compliance plan provision for that provider. PSC 160.062(2g)(c)1.1. A federal communications commission order or a change in federal law causes an increase in a customer’s lifeline base rate. PSC 160.062(2g)(c)2.2. The state reimbursement amount after the increased lifeline adjustment is not greater than it was before the federal communications commission order or change in federal law. PSC 160.062 NoteNote: A provider may petition the commission under s. PSC 160.01(2)(b) for an increased lifeline adjustment if the increased adjustment would increase the state reimbursement amount. PSC 160.062(2g)(d)(d) Notwithstanding subs. (2g) and (2r), the lifeline adjustment for partial months of service shall follow the policy set by the federal universal service administration corporation or its successors. PSC 160.062(2r)(a)(a) When a customer qualifies for federal universal service fund support for eligible residents of tribal lands under 47 CFR 54.400 et seq.: PSC 160.062(2r)(a)1.1. If the lifeline base rate under sub. (2) is $25 or less, the lifeline adjustment shall be $10, plus whatever federal universal service fund support the customer qualifies for as an eligible resident of tribal lands. PSC 160.062(2r)(a)2.2. If the lifeline base rate under sub. (2) is greater than $25, the lifeline adjustment shall be the amount necessary to reduce the lifeline monthly rate to the level at which the adjustment results in a state reimbursement amount that is equal to what it would be under sub. (2g) (a) 2., plus whatever federal universal service fund support the customer qualifies for as an eligible resident of tribal lands. PSC 160.062(2r)(b)1.1. A federal communications commission order or a change in federal law causes an increase in a customer’s lifeline base rate. PSC 160.062(2r)(b)2.2. The state reimbursement amount after the increased adjustment is not greater than it was before the federal communications commission order or change in federal law. PSC 160.062 NoteNote: A provider may petition the commission under s. PSC 160.01(2) (b) for an increased lifeline adjustment if the increased adjustment would increase the state reimbursement amount. PSC 160.062(3)(a)(a) Except as provided in par. (b), the eligible telecommunications carrier shall show the lifeline adjustment either as an adjustment to the full tariffed or standard rate on a customer’s bill or as a special rate designation. Whenever possible, the eligible telecommunications carrier shall begin showing the lifeline adjustment or rate on an eligible customer’s bill on the next bill date following the date of application for lifeline assistance. If the ETC does not apply the lifeline adjustment or rate on the next bill date, when the ETC does apply the credit it shall be applied back to the date of application. PSC 160.062(3)(b)(b) If an eligible telecommunications carrier offers prepaid service and does not render a bill for that service, if it maintains a statement of account or account balance for a prepaid service customer the provisions of par. (a) apply to the statement of account or account balance. If the ETC does not maintain a statement of account or account balance, the ETC shall include information about adjustments and applicability dates in its terms of service. PSC 160.062(4)(4) Termination and notice of impending termination. Providers shall follow the provisions of 47 CFR 54.405 (e) to terminate lifeline enrollment. The provider shall query the state database used to verify the customer’s eligibility in order to obtain information about whether the customer is still eligible according to that database. If that database indicates that the customer is no longer eligible, the ETC shall follow the de-enrollment procedures in 47 CFR 54.405 (e). The ETC shall send the notice separately from the customer’s regular monthly bill, if one is provided. The notice shall state the termination date and shall provide information about how to demonstrate continued eligibility. PSC 160.062(5)(a)(a) Only low-income and full eligible telecommunications carriers may receive reimbursement from the state universal service fund. PSC 160.062(5)(b)(b) An ETC may only receive reimbursement if it complies with all federal lifeline requirements, including the requirement to stop requesting federal universal service fund reimbursement for a prepaid wireless telephone that has not been used in 60 days and the requirement to use the appropriate state database where possible to verify lifeline eligibility.