Continued Eligibility

The continued eligibility process confirms that existing Lifeline subscribers are still eligible for the Lifeline benefit. USAC utilizes this process when there is reason to believe that a subscriber may no longer be eligible for the Lifeline program or when more information is needed to confirm a subscriber’s continued eligibility.

Overview

Subscribers undergoing the continued eligibility process are checked against automated database checks to verify the subscriber’s eligibility, identity, or address, where applicable. If a subscriber cannot be automatically verified, or if more information is required, the subscriber will receive outreach from USAC with instructions on how to confirm their continued eligibility. This process is distinct from the annual recertification process.

Subscribers have 30 days to successfully complete the process online or by mail. USAC de-enrolls subscribers from the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) within five (5) business days after the end of their 30-day window.

Continued Eligibility Subscriber Status Report

Providers can review the Continued Eligibility Subscriber Status Report in NLAD to identify and track the status of subscribers undergoing this process.
Subscribers may undergo this process for the following reasons:

• If they are identified as potentially deceased;
• If an address update was performed in NLAD and the new address failed the Address Matching Service (AMS) check and/or was identified as a duplicate address; or
• If there is reason to believe they may no longer be eligible.

The report shares key information about the deadline and what information needs to be confirmed for each subscriber.

Subscriber Outreach

USAC conducts initial outreach to subscribers to both notify them about the continued eligibility process and send final outreach to inform them about the outcome. USAC sends outreach by email or by mail (if an email address is not available). Subscribers undergoing this process receive:

1. An initial notice of the requirement to confirm their continued eligibility
2. A final notice of the outcome of the continued eligibility process
   • Subscribers who successfully complete the process will receive a notice and will not have to take any further action to continue receiving their Lifeline benefit.
   • Subscribers who fail to provide sufficient documentation or to complete the process by the deadline will receive a notice and will be automatically de-enrolled from NLAD by USAC within five (5) business days after their 30-day window closes.

Service Provider Outreach

1. Service providers may receive two different emails from NLAD to help track the status of their subscribers undergoing the continued eligibility process. These notices will be sent to the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) Administrator user role in NLAD, including any other user the ETC added as an email recipient on NLAD notices:
   An initial email notice that one or more subscribers are undergoing the continued eligibility process for a given Study Area Code (SAC).
2. If applicable, a second email with subscribers who have been de-enrolled from the program because they failed to successfully complete the Continued Eligibility process