How to apply

Instructions for Consumers

To obtain the Lifeline benefit of $130 toward a wireless handset and 300 minutes of use, consumers who believe they are eligible should contact the wireless telecommunications carrier serving the area in which they are currently living.  Applicants for the Lifeline benefit must certify:  that they were residents of a county that was designated by FEMA as eligible for individual assistance; that they are the head of their household; and that they are receiving only one Lifeline special support package.  Applications for this Lifeline benefit must be received by June 1, 2006.

To obtain the Link Up benefit of $30 off the cost of commencing telecommunications service at a temporary residence, consumers who believe they are eligible should contact the telecommunications carrier serving the area in which they are currently living.  To obtain the Link Up benefit of $30 off the cost of reconnecting telecommunications service at a permanent residence in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area, consumers who believe they are eligible should contact the telecommunications carrier serving the area in which their permanent residence is located.  Applicants for this special Link Up Assistance must certify that they were residents of a county that was designated by FEMA as eligible for individual assistance.  Applications for this Link Up benefit must be received by March 1, 2007.

Instructions for Eligible Telecommunications Carriers

Eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) must submit information pertaining to the discounts they have provided to consumers affected by Hurricane Katrina to USAC.  The information should be provided on the Sample Letter posted on USAC’s website.  Support claims for the Lifeline benefit must be postmarked by July 17, 2006.  Support claims for the Link Up benefit must be postmarked by April 13, 2007. 

Sample letters containing claims for Hurricane Katrina Lifeline or Link Up support should be sent to USAC at:

Hurricane Katrina Low Income Support
Universal Service Administrative Company
2000 L Street, NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC  20036

Sample letters can also be sent via fax to:

(202) 776-0080

Requests for support will be processed only when signed by an officer or employee of the company.

USAC will process these support claims along with support claims made on FCC Form 497 (Lifeline and Link Up Worksheet).  Support will be disbursed monthly on the last business day of the month.  In general, support for claims received during a month will be disbursed at the end of the next month.  ETCs seeking Hurricane Katrina Lifeline and Link Up Assistance must have on file a complete FCC Form 498 (Service Provider Identification Number and Contact Information) with USAC in order to receive a disbursement.  Please call USAC’s Billing, Collections, and Disbursement hotline at 1-888-641-8722 with questions about FCC Form 498.

Instructions for Non-ETCs seeking “Temporary” ETC Designation from FCC for Lifeline Support

Carriers seeking to be designated a “temporary” ETC to offer the special Hurricane Katrina Lifeline support must submit to the FCC a detailed description of the plan, including how many and type of minutes offered, the brand and model of the handset(s), the carrier’s licensed service area, and any limitations or conditions associated with the plans. This temporary ETC status applies only to the special Hurricane Katrina Lifeline support and not to the Link-Up support.

In addition, the petition must include (1) a certification that the petitioner intends to offer Lifeline services to qualifying subscribers consistent with this Order; and (2) a description of how the petitioner intends to advertise the availability of the Lifeline service, as required by section 47 C.F.R. § 54.405(b) of the FCC’s rules.  The FCC will conduct an expedited review to ensure compliance with its rules.  Within ten days, the FCC will determine whether the carrier will be temporarily designated as an ETC for purposes of providing Hurricane Katrina Lifeline support.