1. (1) A residential customer qualifying for the Federal and Oregon Lifeline benefit pays a reduced monthly rate, as established by the Commission, for broadband internet access service or basic service, or both, whether sold separately or in combination with other services, provided by an Eligible Telecommunications Provider. The monthly benefit includes:

   1. (a) The Federal Lifeline program support in accordance with 47 C.F.R. §54.403, if available; and
   2. (b) For a customer paying a monthly rate, the State of Oregon support of up to $15.00. The customer may not receive a monthly Federal and Oregon Lifeline benefit in excess of the customer's monthly rate; or
   3. (c) For a customer that receives the Oregon Lifeline supported service at no charge, the State of Oregon support of $10.00. If an Eligible Telecommunications Provider that offers Oregon Lifeline supported service at no charge to the low-income customer demonstrates to the Commission that it provides unlimited voice minutes for basic service and unlimited data for any broadband internet access service provided to the customer, the Commission may authorize a State of Oregon support amount up to $10.00.
   4. (d) The Commission may reduce the State of Oregon support by order of the Commission when sufficient funding is not available to sustain the current level of support.
2. (2) Federal and Oregon Lifeline benefits become effective on the date the Commission notifies the Eligible Telecommunications Provider of approval unless otherwise specified in the notice of approval.
3. (3) An Eligible Telecommunications Provider that offers Federal or Oregon Lifeline supported service at no charge to the low-income customer must require the customer to contact the Eligible Telecommunications Provider to activate the Federal or Oregon Lifeline supported service. The Eligible Telecommunications Provider must require the low-income customer to provide the last four digits of his or her social security number or Tribal identification number before activating the Federal or Oregon Lifeline supported service.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 183, ORS 756, ORS 759 & 1987 OL Ch. 290

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 756.040, ORS 759.036 & 1987 OL Ch. 290

History

PUC 3-2026, amend filed 04/01/2026, effective 04/01/2026
PUC 1-2022, amend filed 01/28/2022, effective 01/28/2022
PUC 7-2021, temporary amend filed 08/30/2021, effective 09/01/2021 through 01/31/2022
PUC 1-2021, temporary amend filed 02/01/2021, effective 02/01/2021 through 06/30/2021
PUC 7-2020, amend filed 12/30/2020, effective 12/30/2020
PUC 4-2020, temporary amend filed 07/01/2020, effective 07/01/2020 through 12/27/2020
PUC 7-2013, f. & cert. ef. 12-20-13
PUC 5-2013(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 6-28-13 thru 12-24-13
PUC 12-2009, f. & cert. ef. 11-13-09
PUC 2-2002, f. & cert. ef. 2-5-02
PUC 18-1997, f. & cert. ef. 12-17-97
PUC 5-1992, f. & cert. ef. 2-14-92 (Order No. 92-238)
PUC 9-1988, f. & cert. ef. 4-28-88 (Order No. 88-415)