PSC 160.02(17) (17) “Lifeline” means the program that provides reduced monthly service rates for low-income customers.

PSC 160.02(18) (18) “Line” means an access line or service to an activated wireless handset.

PSC 160.02(19) (19) “Link-up” means a program that waives some or all service connection charges for low-income customers.

PSC 160.02(20) (20) “Local exchange service provider” means any wireless provider that has been designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier under s. PSC 160.13, or a telecommunications utility or any other provider of basic local exchange service or standard business lines and usage.

PSC 160.02(21) (21) “Low-income” means a household that meets one of the following criteria:

PSC 160.02(21)(a) (a) Receives benefits from one or more of the following programs:

PSC 160.02(21)(a)1. 1. Wisconsin works under ss. 49.141 to 49.162, Stats.

PSC 160.02 Note Note: This includes all programs, including financial and employment assistance, child care subsidy, etc.

PSC 160.02(21)(a)2. 2. Medical assistance under 42 USC 1396 et seq.

PSC 160.02(21)(a)3. 3. Supplemental security income under 42 USC 1381 to 1383.

PSC 160.02(21)(a)4. 4. Food stamps under 7 USC 2011 to 2029.

PSC 160.02 Note Note: As of April 2015, the generic term “food stamps” refers to programs currently known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Food Share.

PSC 160.02(21)(a)5. 5. The low income household energy assistance program under s. 16.27, Stats.

PSC 160.02(21)(a)6. 6. Unless the provider is a federal-only ETC, Wisconsin homestead tax credit under ss. 71.51 to 71.55, Stats.

PSC 160.02(21)(a)7. 7. BadgerCare Plus programs under s. 49.471, Stats., consistent with the income limits in subd. 11.

PSC 160.02(21)(a)8. 8. SeniorCare 1 and 2a under s. 49.688, Stats.

PSC 160.02(21)(a)9. 9. The national school lunch program’s free lunch program.

PSC 160.02(21)(a)10. 10. Temporary assistance for needy families, other than Wisconsin works under ss. 49.141 to 49.161, Stats.

PSC 160.02(21)(a)11. 11. As approved by the commission, other state or federally administered programs for households with income levels less than or equal to 200% of the poverty line as defined in 42 USC 9902 (2).

PSC 160.02 Note Note: See sub. 160.06 (1) (c) concerning other households that may be considered low-income.

PSC 160.02(21)(b) (b) The customer’s income, as defined in 47 CFR 54.400 (f), is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.

PSC 160.02(21)(c) (c) Eligible under any other federal low-income eligibility criteria.

PSC 160.02(22) (22) “Low-income eligible telecommunications carrier” or “low-income ETC” means a telecommunications provider that the commission has so designated under s. PSC 160.13 for participation only in the lifeline or link-up program, or both.

PSC 160.02(23) (23) “Non-profit group” means an organization described in s. 501 (c) (3) of the internal revenue code that is exempt from federal income tax under s. 501 (a) of the internal revenue code.

PSC 160.02(24) (24) “Nonrecurring charge” means the charge for those activities and materials necessary to connect network services to the customer’s premises, up to and including the network interface device but not including customer premises wiring or customer premises equipment, and not including construction charges.

PSC 160.02(25) (25) “Pay-per-call service” has the meaning given in s. 196.208 (1) (a), Stats.

PSC 160.02(26) (26) “Provider” or “telecommunications provider” has the meaning given in s. 196.01 (8p), Stats.

PSC 160.02(27) (27) “Rural telephone company” has the meaning given in 47 USC 153 (37).

PSC 160.02(28) (28) “Two line hearing carryover” means the technique of using 3-way calling and 2 telephone lines, one for hearing and one for text, to connect a hearing caller who is speech impaired with another caller via the telecommunications relay service.