Telephone Assistance Plan. Technical Conference May 29, 2009 Wyoming Public Service Commission

Transcription

1 Telephone Assistance Plan Technical Conference May 29, 2009 Wyoming Public Service Commission

2 Agenda I. Meeting Overview II. Telephone Assistance Program History and Background A. Statutes and Rules B. Participation C. Funding III. Department of Family Services A. Application Process B. Standardization of Application C. Approval Process IV. Advertising V. Lifeline / Link-Up A. Tribal Lifeline / Link Up VI. What s Next?

3 Notice of Technical Conference Sent to ETC Carriers TCT Union Telephone RT Communications CenturyTel Chugwater Telco Qwest Embarq Allwest Project Golden West Silverstar ACT Dubois Telephone AllTel Range Telephone

4 Wyoming Lifeline Customer Counts Company ACT All West Comm. All West WY Chugwater Columbine Dubois Golden West Orbitcom Qwest Range RT Silver Star ILEC Silver Star CLEC TCT West Tri County United/Embarq Union TOTAL USAC 2007 USAC 2008 Dec '

5 II. Telephone Assistance Program History and Background History of TAP A brochure entitled Telephone Assistance for Wyoming: a proposal discusses action by the Wyoming Telecommunications Consumer Panel to drum up support for a Telephone Assistance Program Bill. The Panel examined emerging telecommunications issues. The Telephone Assistance Program Bill was introduced in the Senate during the Wyoming Legislative Session. It was designated SF 170 and approved on February 21, W.S requires the Commission to submit the Program to the FCC for certification and waiver of the federal subscribers line charge. On April 30, 1991, the Commission sent its Petition for FCC Certification of Wyoming Lifeline Program signed by Chairman Bill Tucker to the FCC. On May 21, 1991, the FCC certified Wyoming s Telephone Assistance Program and allowed for a waiver of the Residential End User Common Line Charge. Since 1991, the statutes comprising the Telephone Assistance Program have been revised three times: 1995, 2000 and 2008.

6 History of TAP Continued Notable changes to the statutes: The initial threshold for mandatory participation established in 1991 was for... regulated providers of local telecommunications services with more than fifty thousand (50,000) subscribers. W.S (a). The regulated providers with fewer than 50,000 could petition the Commission to participate in TAP. W.S (b). In 1991, the Department of Health was given the direction to certify eligible subscribers and to report to the Commission those receiving TAP assistance. W.S Preliminary eligibility for TAP established in 1991 was for subscribers who were recipients of Medicaid. In 1995, the threshold for mandatory participation was revised to encompass providers of local telecommunications services with more that thirty thousand (30,000) access lines. W.S (a). Voluntary participation was allowed for the providers with fewer than 30,000 access lines. W.S (b). (Amended 1995.)

7 History of TAP Continued In 2000, W.S was revised to apply to all providers of local exchange services. Therefore, participation became mandatory for all providers of local exchange services. (Amended 2000.) The Department of Family Services replaced the Department of Health with the responsibility to certify eligible subscribers and to report to the Commission in W.S (Amended 2000.) In 2000, TAP eligibility expanded from subscribers eligible for Medicaid to include subscribers eligible for Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), and Personal Opportunities With Employment Responsibility (POWER). W.S (Amended 2000.) In 2008, W.S (a) was amended to delete prepare and replaced that with include such information in its annual reports to the legislature. (Amended 2008.)

8 SF 170 Telephone Assistance Program In 1991, the Telephone Assistance Program Bill, SF 170, created W.S through and W.S through Public Service Commission statutory authority, Title 37, Chapter 2, Article 3, W.S through

9 W.S Telephone assistance program creation; discount. (a) The commission shall administer a telephone assistance program to provide eligible residential subscribers with a discount in the monthly charge for local exchange service in the telephone network. (b) The discount provided by the telephone assistance program shall be the greater of: (i) Three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) per month for each eligible subscriber; or (ii) The amount necessary to obtain the matching waiver available under applicable orders and regulations of the federal communications commission. (c) In no case shall the discount exceed the rate charged for the grade of residential basic local exchange service received by each eligible subscriber.

10 Points from W.S The Commission shall administer a telephone assistance program to provide eligible residential subscribers with a discount. The discount shall be the greater of: $3.50 per month; or The amount necessary to obtain the matching waiver under applicable orders and regulations of the FCC. The discount shall not exceed the rate charged for the grade of residential basic service.

11 W.S Eligibility; certification. (a) The telephone assistance program shall only be used to provide for a single resident line at the principal residence of subscribers certified by the department of family services, its successor agency or the equivalent tribal authority, to the commission pursuant to W.S (b) that the subscriber is eligible to receive services under either article 1 or 2 of chapter 2 or under chapter 4, title 42 of the Wyoming statutes. (b) At least annually providers of residential regulated local exchange services shall submit the names of persons receiving program assistance to the department of family services, its successor agency or the equivalent tribal authority, for recertification that the persons receiving assistance are still eligible.

12 Points from W.S The Telephone Assistance Program shall only be used to provide for a single resident line at principal residence of subscribers certified by the Department of Family Services to the Commission that the subscriber is eligible to receive services under either article 1 or 2 of chapter 2 or under chapter 4, title 42 of the Wyoming statutes. Title 42, Chapter 2, Article 1 is the Wyoming Public Assistance and Social Services Act. Title 42, Chapter 2, Article 2 is entitled Employment and Training Program. Title 42, Chapter 4 is the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act or the Medicaid Program. At least annually, the participating telephone companies shall submit the names of persons receiving program assistance to the Department of Family Services for recertification that persons receiving assistance are still eligible.

13 W.S Reimbursement for discounts. (a) The commission shall authorize an additional monthly charge not to exceed twenty cents ($.20), for each residential access line and each business access line not to exceed one hundred (100) lines per customer to fully reimburse providers of local exchange services for discounts given eligible subscribers under the telephone assistance program. The additional monthly charge shall not be imposed on eligible subscribers. (b) The additional monthly charge for local exchange service applies to persons who receive access lines from a provider of local telecommunications services. (c) In administering the telephone assistance program the commission shall have the public interest as a primary concern.

14 Points from W.S The Commission shall authorize an additional monthly charge for each residential access line to fully reimburse providers for discounts given eligible subscribers. The additional monthly charge shall not be imposed on eligible subscribers. The additional monthly charge for local exchange service applies to persons who receive a residential access line from a provider of local telecommunications services who participates in the telephone assistance program. The Commission shall have the public interest as a primary concern in administering TAP. This has legal significance.

15 W.S Administration; rules. (a) The commission shall monitor the effectiveness of the telephone assistance program and include such information in its annual reports to the legislature. (b) The commission shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations necessary to administer and implement the telephone assistance program and to receive matching federal low income telephone assistance. (c) The commission shall submit the telephone assistance program to the federal communications commission for certification and waiver of the federal subscribers line charge.

16 Points from W.S The Commission shall monitor the effectiveness of the program and include information regarding the effectiveness of the program in its annual reports to the legislature. The Commission shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to administer implement and to receive matching federal low income telephone assistance. The Commission shall submit the telephone assistance program to the federal communications commission for certification and waiver of subscriber line charge (SLC). [Completed in 1991.]

17 W.S Federal requirements. The commission and providers of local exchange services shall comply with federal requirements for receipt of matching federal low income telephone assistance.

18 W.S Applicability. (a) W.S through apply to all providers of local exchange services. (b) Repealed by Laws 2000, Ch. 51, 2.

19 III. Department of Family Services Telephone Assistance Program Statutory authority in Title 42, Chapter 2, Article 3, W.S through

20 W.S Definition. As used in this article "program" means the telephone assistance program created by W.S and administered by the public service commission.

21 W.S Eligibility. Any person who is eligible to receive services under either article 1 or 2 of chapter 2 or under chapter 4, title 42 of the Wyoming statutes is eligible for assistance through the program.

22 W.S Rules; Certification of eligibility. (a) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to establish procedures for taking applications for assistance through the program and to periodically certify to the public service commission the applicants eligible for the program. The applications for assistance shall contain authorization for disclosure of information necessary to administer the program. (b) The department shall upon request by the public service commission certify to the public service commission the names of applicants eligible for the program. (c) At least annually, the department shall review the names of persons receiving program assistance and shall certify to the commission the eligibility of the persons receiving program assistance.

23 DFS-Medical Programs General TAP Rules Section 1. Authority. These rules are promulgated by the Department of Family Services pursuant to W.S (a) and the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act at W.S et seq. Section 2. Purpose and applicability. This rule establishes procedures for taking applications and defines covered Services under the Telephone Assistance Program. Section 3. General Provisions. This rule is intended to implement and be read in conjunction with W.S through and through , which established the Telephone Assistance Program, and any rules promulgated thereunder by the Commission.

24 DFS TAP Rules Continued Section 4. Definitions. (a) Commission. The Wyoming Public Service Commission, its designee, agent or successor. (b) Covered services. Telephone services that are covered pursuant to this rule. (c) Department of Family Services. The Wyoming Department of Family Services, its designee, agent or successor. (d) Local telephone company. The provider that furnishes regulated local telecommunications services to the area where a recipient s residence is located. (e) Medicaid. Medical assistance and services provided pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act and the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act. (f) Principal residence. A recipient s domicile other than an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) or Institution of Mental Disease. (g) Provider. An entity that furnishes regulated local telecommunications services. (h) Recipient. A person who has been determined eligible. (i) Recertification. A determination, pursuant to section 7, that an individual receiving telephone assistance remains eligible to receive covered services. (j) Single resident line. Basic residential telephone services, other than expanded services. Single resident line includes touchtone services. (k) Subscriber. A recipient who is liable for telephone bill payments. (l) Telephone assistance. The telephone assistance program established pursuant to W.S through , through and the rules promulgated thereunder.

25 DFS TAP Rules Continued Section 5. Covered services. Telephone services shall be limited to a single resident line in the subscriber s principal Residence except as provided in Section 4 (b). Eligibility shall be restricted to one recipient per residence. Section 6. Eligibility. (a) All recipients, who are receiving services pursuant to W.S through 114, through 203, or through 208 and who are subscribers to a local telephone service shall be eligible for telephone assistance. (b) Applications. A recipient that desires telephone assistance shall submit a written application, along with a copy of a current Medicaid coupon, or a copy of an approval letter, in the form specified by the Department of Family Services, to the local telephone company. The application form shall contain an authorization for the release of the information from the Department of Family Services to the local telephone company to provide verification for eligibility for telephone assistance. (c) Determination of eligibility. The local telephone company shall accept an application submitted in accordance with (b) and following eligibility verification shall declare the applicant eligible for Telephone Assistance. (d) Duration of eligibility. A recipient determined eligible for telephone assistance shall remain eligible for covered services until determined ineligible by the Department of Family Services.

26 DFS TAP Rules Continued Section 7. Recertification. (a) Frequency. At least once per calendar year the local telephone companies shall provide the Department of Family Services with a list of all telephone assistance participants for review and verification of continuing eligibility. (b) List of eligible and ineligible persons. Within a reasonable time after receiving the list described in (a), the Department of Family Services shall return a list of eligibles and ineligibles to the local telephone company with a copy of the list provided to the Commission in a format agreed upon by the Commission. (c) No right of appeal. An individual whose telephone assistance is terminated because of the loss of eligibility, is not entitled to an administrative appeal of the termination of telephone assistance. Such individual s remedy is restricted to the right to appeal the termination of eligibility pursuant to applicable federal or state laws or regulations. Section 8. Severability. If any portion of these rules is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in effect.

27 Standardized Application

28 IV. Advertising How to reach our target audience? Standardized advertising? Posters Cards Flyers Methods of Distribution DFS Local Service Providers

29 V. Lifeline / Link-Up WPSC Request Matching Federal Lifeline Assistance Benefits The Commission Requested on April 30, 1991, certification of state lifeline assistance program as qualifying for reduction or waiver of federal End User Common Line Charge. Certification received from FCC May 21, Directs participating companies to make revisions to their access tariffs that the subscriber line charge does not apply to lifeline program subscribers in Wyoming.

30 Lifeline and Link-Up Under Congressional mandate, the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) supports the Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up America programs. These programs provide discounts on basic monthly service and initial installation or activation fees for telephone service at the primary residence to income-eligible consumers.

31 Lifeline Assistance Provides discounts on basic monthly service at the primary residence for qualified telephone subscribers. These discounts can be up to $10.00 per month. TAP $ 3.50 SLC $ 6.50 Total $10.00 Residents of Native American Indian and Alaska Native tribal communities may qualify for enhanced Lifeline assistance (up to an additional $25.00)

32 Link-Up Helps income-eligible consumers initiate telephone service. This program pays one-half (up to a maximum of $30) of the initial installation fee for a traditional, wireline telephone or activation fee for a wireless telephone for a primary residence. It also allows participants to pay the remaining amount they owe on a deferred schedule, interest-free. Residents of Native American Indian and Alaska Native tribal communities may qualify for enhanced Link-Up assistance (up to an additional $70.00).

33 Qualifications The Lifeline and Link-Up Programs are available to qualifying consumers in every state, territory, and commonwealth. Eligibility criteria vary by state. Wyoming s criteria was addressed previously.

34 Native American Indian Qualifications Residents of Native American Indian communities qualify for enhanced Lifeline and Link-Up support if they qualify under the state s Lifeline program or participate in one of the following assistance programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF), Head Start (if income eligibility criteria are met), and Tribal National School Lunch Program.

35 Who Pays for the Lifeline and Link-Up Programs? All telecommunications service providers and certain other providers of telecommunications must contribute to the federal USF based on a percentage of their interstate and international end-user telecommunications revenues. These companies include: wireline phone companies wireless phone companies paging service companies and certain Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers.

36 Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Certification Rules 513 Designation Rule 514 Annual Certification

37 VI. What s Next? Standardized Application Form Advertising (Coordinated Outreach?) Local Service Providers Requirements for Reporting to Commission Reporting to DFS for Certification DFS Reporting to Commission

38 Thank you for your participation today. A copy of this presentation will be available at the PSC s website at: