1. A. Annual Verification. The continuing eligibility of customers for lifeline benefits shall be verified annually.
2. B. Verification Methods. The ETC or responsible agency shall verify the continued eligibility of lifeline customers under the program-based and income-based eligibility criteria. The ETC or responsible agency shall establish methods by which program-based and income-based eligibility shall be verified on an annual basis including, but not limited to, self-certification, reviews of state computer data bases, beneficiary audits, income documentation, or the continued eligibility of a statistically valid sample of lifeline customers.
3. C. Restoration Of Service And Payment Plans. ETCs must restore service for any customer who has had telephone service discontinued for nonpayment of basic service charges, provided that the customer was not a participant in LITAP at the time of discontinuance, but now qualifies. The ETC must also make a reasonable payment arrangement allowing six months for payment for past due basic service charges.

4. D. Termination Notices and Dispute Resolution. If a customer fails to establish continued eligibility, the ETC or responsible agency shall notify the customer of its intent to discontinue the customer’s eligibility and the basis for that decision.

   (1) The eligibility termination notice shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the customer’s mailing address.

   (2) The eligibility termination notice must allow the customer at least 60 days to demonstrate continued eligibility consistent with the rule. The customer’s participation in lifeline service may not be discontinued during this 60-day period.

   (3) The eligibility termination notice shall include a statement advising the customer of the option to continue local telephone service after termination of lifeline service benefits at the non-discounted rate.

   (4) If the customer fails to provide proof of continued eligibility as required, or the ETC or responsible agency does not accept the customer’s proof of continue eligibility, the ETC or responsible agency shall notify the customer in writing of its determination to discontinue the customer’s participation in lifeline benefits. The notice shall include instructions for filing an appeal of the determination.

   (5) If the customer disputes the non-eligibility determination, he or she shall notify the ETC or responsible agency. If the customer is still unable to resolve the dispute, he or she may appeal a non-eligibility determination within sixty (60) days of the date of the notice from the ETC or responsible agency by filing a written notice of appeal with the commission. Lifeline benefits will continue pending an appeal of a non-eligibility determination.

   (6) An appeal pursuant to this rule shall be addressed by the commission consistent with the complaint procedures set forth in the commission’s Consumer Protection rule (17.11.16 NMAC).

[17.11.11.9 NMAC - N, 11-15-10]