Glossary

Audit: A review of documentation and resources that verify the state of compliance with program rules.

Benefit transfer window: The 60-day benefit transfer window begins on the service initialization date. An ETC cannot transfer Lifeline Program benefits, or re-enroll a subscriber in the Lifeline Program, within 60 days of the last service initiation date.

BO: BackOffice. Department that processes customers´ applications and proof documentation.

BVS: Benefit Verification System. It may be involved in the approval of some enrollments created under Program participation, in the state of WA.

CR: Country Road

DCF: Department of Children and Family. It may be involved in the approval of some enrollments created under Program participation, in the state of FL.

De-enroll: An NLAD transaction type with which an ETC may remove a subscriber from NLAD used when the subscriber leaves the ETC, or when the subscriber ceases to be eligible for, or declines Lifeline Program benefits.

EID: Enrollment ID number assigned to each application.

Eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC): A designation given to telecommunications service providers by their state public utility commissions or the FCC, enabling them to participate in universal service programs.

FCC: Federal Communication Commission. A government agency in charge of telecommunications, who regulates most of the requirements for applicants to be eligible for the service.

FPG – federal poverty guidelines: Determined by the Department of Health and Human Services, the guidelines are a simplification of the poverty thresholds used for administrative purposes, such as determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs. A household at or below 135 percent of the FPG is eligible for Lifeline Program support when the federal eligibility criteria apply.

HHW: HouseHold Worksheet is the form or recording procedure that has to be completed whenever an address containing multiple households needs to be used for different enrollments.

HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. A group of rules and guidelines that ensure and provide protection, confidentiality and privacy to personal information listed on health records.

HMO: Health Maintenance Organization. A health insurance plan that provides different benefits and services.

Household: an individual, family or group of people who live together at the same address and share income and expenses.

Lite-Up Texas: validation system in the state of Texas in charge of the approval of some enrollments created under Program participation.

NLAD: National Lifeline Accountability Database. It is a database which contains the information about the persons receiving a Lifeline benefit.

OPC: Office of Public Counsel. It may be involved in the approval of some enrollments created under Income qualification, in the state of FL.

OPHR: One per household rule. This means that only one Lifeline service is allowed per household.

PUC: Public Utilities Commission. It may be involved in the approval of some enrollments in different states.

SNAP / PAN: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program / Programa de Asistencia Nutricional. If applicants participate in this program, they may be eligible for the service in many states.

SSA: Social Security Administration. An independent government agency that provides disability and retirement benefits, among others, through social insurance programs.

SSI: Supplemental Security Income. If applicants participate in this program, they may be eligible for the service in many states.

USAC: Universal Service Administrative Company. It is an independent, not-for-profit corporation designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as the administrator of universal service.

USF – universal service fund: Money collected from telecommunications companies and dedicated to fulfilling the goals of universal service. Under the authority of the 1996 Telecom Act, the FCC created the USF as well as the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the organization charged with administering universal service. Companies make contributions to universal service based on revenues from providing international and interstate telecommunications services.

WI Cares: It may be involved in the approval of some enrollments created under Program participation, in the state of Wisconsin.

WI DOR: Wisconsin Department of Revenue. It may be involved in the approval of some enrollments created under WI Homestead Tax Credit, in the state of Wisconsin.