About High Cost:

• Overview of the Program
• Overview of the Process
• USAC FCC Filings
•  
• HCLI Training Events
• Individual Outreach
• Video Tutorials
•  
• Filing Appeals
• Red Light Status (FCC site)
• Requesting Confidential Information
• Understanding Audits
• Understanding Disaggregation

High Cost Tools:

• Required Forms
• Filing Requirements and Deadlines
• Form 525 Online
•  
• Wire Center – UNE Zone Mapping
• IAS Maps
• HCM CLLI Tool
• Disaggregation Maps
• Disaggregation Checklist
•  
• Disbursement Data Search
• Detailed Payment Data Search
• Certification Search
•  
• Latest News
• Contact Us

Step 6: File Certifications

All eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) - rural, non-rural, and competitors - are subject to component-specific certification requirements that have a direct impact on those carriers' receipt of High Cost support.

State regulatory commissions typically submit ETC certifications for rural, non-rural, and competitive carriers that are eligible to receive High Cost support for High Cost Loop, High Cost Model, Local Switching Support, Safety Net Additive Support, or Safety Valve Support in the form of a letter to USAC and the FCC. These are due annually on or before October 1.

ETCs seeking Interstate Access Support and Interstate Common Line Support must file certifications directly with USAC and the FCC annually June 30.

Failure to timely file October 1, ICLS, or IAS certifications affects ETC support as indicated in the table below.

State Commission Certification Requirements

In order for ETCs within a state to receive High Cost support (including High Cost Loop, High Cost Model, Local Switching Support, Safety Net Additive Support, or Safety Valve Support), the appropriate state public utilities commission must file an annual certification, by October 1 each year, with USAC and the FCC.

The certification must state that all federal High Cost support provided to rural and/or non-rural carriers and competitive ETCs within the state will be used only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended. The certification must also reference CC Docket No. 96-45. If a state fails to certify an ETC, that ETC will not be eligible to receive support in the first quarter of the following calendar year.

The Filing Rural Use Certifications section of USAC's website explains the certification filings that state commissions make for rural ETCs and competitive ETCs providing service in the areas of these rural companies.

The Filing Non-Rural Use Certifications section of USAC's website explains the certification filings that state commissions make for non-rural ETCs and competitive ETCs providing service in the areas of these non-rural companies.

If an ETC is not subject to state jurisdiction, it must file a self-certification directly with USAC and the FCC. Filing requirements.

Interstate Access Support and Interstate Common Line Support Certification Requirements
ETCs seeking Interstate Access Support and Interstate Common Line Support must file certifications directly with USAC and the FCC annually June 30. First-time filers must submit a certification the first time they file line count data and annually each June 30.

The File Certifications for Interstate Access Support (IAS) page has information for ETCs seeking IAS.

The File Certifications for Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS) page has information for ETCs seeking ICLS.

Failure to Timely File October 1, ICLS, or IAS Certifications Can Affect ETC Support
In order to receive High Cost support for the various component program years, certifications must be submitted and must be received by the FCC and USAC as indicated in the table below. If a carrier or its state utility regulator (for the October 1 Use certification) fails to timely file the appropriate certification(s), the following support eligibility schedule applies:

Component	Certification Filed by	ETC Eligible For Support
HCL SNA SVS LSS HCM	October 1	January 1 to December 31 of the following calendar year
	January 1	Second, third, and fourth quarters of the same year
	April 1	Third and fourth quarters of the same year
	July 1	Fourth quarter of the same year
	After July 1	No support for the same year
IAS	June 30	July 1 of the current year to June 30 of the following year
	September 30	Fourth quarter of the same year and the first and second quarters of the following year
	December 31	First and second quarters of the following year
	March 31	Second quarter of the same year
ICLS	June 30	July 1 of the current year to June 30 of the following year
	September 30	First and second quarters of the following year
	December 31	Second quarter of the following year
	After December 31	No ICLS for program year (ending June 30 of the same year).
ICLS (first-time filers)	December 30	Second quarter of the following year
	March 30	No ICLS for program year (ending June 30 of the same year).
	June 30	July 1 of the current year to June 30 of the following year
	After June 30 and before July 31	Fourth quarter of the same year and the first and second quarters of the following year
	September 30	First and second quarters of the following year

 

Check if Your Certification was Received by USAC

To see if USAC has received your October 1 Use Certification, IAS Certification, or ICLS Certification, visit the certification checklist.