1. 65-407 PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

   Chapter 294: LIFELINE

SUMMARY: This rule establishes state Lifeline benefits and adopts federal Rules for Lifeline eligibility and verification.

1. TABLE OF CONTENTS

   §1 Definitions 2

§2 Eligibility 2

1. §3 Discounts 2

   §4 Verification 2

   §5 Waivers 2

   §1. DEFINITIONS

   1. A. Commission. "Commission" means the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
   2. B. Eligible Telecommunications Carrier. An "eligible telecommunications carrier or "ETC" is one designated as such by the Commission or the FCC pursuant to the carrier's meeting the criteria outlined in 47 U.S.C. §214(e)(1).
   3. C. FCC. "FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission.
   4. D. Lifeline Service. "Lifeline service" is a non-transferable retail service offering provided directly to qualifying low-income customers as defined in 47 C.F.R. §54.401 and as may be subsequently amended.

   §2. ELIGIBILITY

   State lifeline support eligibility shall be the same as the eligibility for federal Lifeline support pursuant to federal rules. Any low-income customer currently receiving Lifeline based solely on eligibility under a state program may, within 90 days of the effective date of this Rule, provide proof of eligibility under a qualifying federal program.

   §3. DISCOUNTS

   Federal Lifeline support amounts per qualifying low-income customer shall be provided according to federal rules. In addition to any federal support, an ETC offering Lifeline service shall reduce by $3.50 the monthly charges paid by qualifying low-income customers who receive Lifeline service.

   §4. VERIFICATION

   Verification for the state Lifeline service benefit shall be the same as that prescribed by federal rules for the federal Lifeline benefit.

   §5. WAIVERS

   Upon the request of any person subject to the provisions of this Chapter or upon its own motion, the Commission may waive any of the requirements of this Chapter that are not required by statute. Where good cause exists, the Commission, the Director of Consumer Assistance and Safety, or the presiding officer assigned to a proceeding related to this Chapter may grant the requested waiver, provided that the granting of the waiver is not inconsistent with the purposes of this Chapter or Title 35-A.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

35-A M.R.S. §§ 111, 7101, 7104

1. EFFECTIVE DATE:

   This rule was approved as to form and legality by the Attorney General on March 2, 1999 as Lifeline and Link-up Services Programs. It was filed with the Secretary of State on March 3, 1999 (filing 99-96) and became effective on March 8, 1999.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

1. This rule was approved as to form and legality by the Attorney General on June 24, 2013 as Lifeline. It was filed with the Secretary of State on June 26, 2013 (filing 2013-152), and became effective on July 1, 2013.

   EFFECTIVE DATE:

   This rule was approved as to form and legality by the Attorney General on July 27, 2021. It was filed with the Secretary of State on July 28, 2021 (filing 2021-152) and became effective on August 2, 2021.