§  54.401   Lifeline defined.

   (a) As used in this subpart, Lifeline means a retail local service
   offering:

   (1) That is available only to qualifying low-income consumers, and no
   qualifying consumer is permitted to receive more than one Lifeline
   subsidy concurrently.

   (2) For which qualifying low-income consumers pay reduced charges as a
   result of application of the Lifeline support amount described in
   § 54.403; and

   (3) That includes the services or functionalities enumerated in
   § 54.101 (a)(1) through (a)(9). The carriers shall offer toll
   limitation to all qualifying low-income consumers at the time such
   consumers subscribe to Lifeline service. If the consumer elects to
   receive toll limitation, that service shall become part of that
   consumer's Lifeline service.

   (b) [Reserved

   (c) Eligible telecommunications carriers may not collect a service
   deposit in order to initiate Lifeline service, if the qualifying
   low-income consumer voluntarily elects toll limitation service from the
   carrier, where available. If toll limitation services are unavailable,
   the carrier may charge a service deposit.

   (d) The state commission shall file or require the eligible
   telecommunications carrier to file information with the Administrator
   demonstrating that the carrier's Lifeline plan meets the criteria set
   forth in this subpart and stating the number of qualifying low-income
   consumers and the amount of state assistance. Eligible
   telecommunications carriers not subject to state commission
   jurisdiction also shall make such a filing with the Administrator.
   Lifeline assistance shall be made available to qualifying low-income
   consumers as soon as the Administrator certifies that the carrier's
   Lifeline plan satisfies the criteria set out in this subpart.

   (e) Consistent with § 52.33(a)(1)(i)(C), eligible telecommunications
   carriers may not charge Lifeline customers a monthly number-portability
   charge.

   [ 62 FR 32948 , June 17, 1997, as amended at  63 FR 2128 , Jan. 13, 1998;
    64 FR 60358 , Nov. 5, 1999;  65 FR 47905 , Aug. 4, 2000;  69 FR 34600 , June
   22, 2004;  76 FR 38046 , June 29, 2011]