AUTHORITY: Implementing Sections 13-301 and 13-301.1 and authorized by Section 10-101 of the Public Utilities Act [220 ILCS 5/13-301, 13-301.1 and 10-101].

SOURCE: Adopted at 13 Ill. Reg. 14366, effective October 1, 1989; amended at 14 Ill. Reg. 17923, effective October 15, 1990; emergency repealer at 15 Ill. Reg. 5082, effective March 25, 1991, for a maximum of 150 days; Part repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 11929, effective August 12, 1991; new Part adopted at 16 Ill. Reg. 17981, effective December 15, 1992; amended at 20 Ill. Reg. 15257, effective December 1, 1996; emergency amendments at 21 Ill. Reg. 16416, effective December 10, 1997, for a maximum of 150 days; amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 8810, effective May 9, 1998; amended at 23 Ill. Reg. 11875, effective October 1, 1999; amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 346, effective January 1, 2004; amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 18196, effective November 1, 2006; amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 8583, effective June 1, 2008; amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013; amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018.

SUBPART A: GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 757.10  Definitions

 

For the purpose of this Part:

 

            "Act" means the Public Utilities Act [220 ILCS 5].

 

"Broadband internet access service" or "BIAS" has the meaning ascribed in 47 CFR 54.400 (July 1, 2017).

 

            "Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission.

 

            "Eligible new subscriber" is an applicant for local exchange service or broadband internet access service who meets the eligibility guidelines set forth in Section 757.225.  As used in this Part, a subscriber who meets the eligibility criteria set forth in Section 757.225 who relocates his or her principal place of residence is also an eligible new subscriber.

 

            "Eligible subscriber" is any individual currently subscribing to local exchange service who meets the eligibility guidelines set forth in Section 757.225.

 

            "Eligible telecommunications carrier" has the meaning given to it at 47 CFR 54.201, as amended through the FCC's Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 16-38, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197 and 10-90 (released April 27, 2016).  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

            "LEC" means "local exchange carrier", which is a telecommunications carrier providing local exchange telecommunications service as defined in Section 13-204 of the Act [220 ILCS 5].

 

            "Lifeline" means "Lifeline service", as defined in Section 13-301.1(c) of the Act.

 

            "Local exchange service charge waiver" means any reduction in a participant's initial local exchange service installation charge or local exchange service obligation in the amount established under this Part.

 

            "Local exchange service installation charge" means those charges pursuant to either a tariff filed with the Commission or, if no tariff is filed, a written service offering available on the local exchange carrier's website assessed for connecting an eligible new subscriber to the network.  These charges do not include security deposit requirements.

 

"Local exchange service" means local exchange telecommunications service as defined in Section 13-204 of the Act.

 

"Local exchange service obligation" means those charges pursuant to either a tariff filed with the Commission or, if no tariff is filed, a written service offering available on the local exchange carrier's website assessed on a monthly basis for access to the network.  These charges do not include taxes.

 

            "Member Agreement" means the contract between an LEC and a UTAC.

 

            "Program" or "plan" means the telephone assistance programs offered under this Part.

 

            "Proxy Programs" include the assistance programs identified in 47 CFR  54.409, as amended through the FCC's Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 16-38, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197 and 10-90 (released April 27, 2016), which include, with respect to Illinois, only:  Medicaid; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Supplemental Security Income; Federal Public Housing Assistance; and Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

            "Staff" means individuals employed by the Illinois Commerce Commission, exclusive of Commissioners.

 

"UTAC" means the Universal Telephone Assistance Corporation, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation responsible for the administration of the UTSAP as described in Section 757.215.

 

            "UTSAP" means the Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program in which all Illinois LECs shall participate as provided in Section 757.200.

 

            "UTSAP Administrator" is the Universal Telephone Assistance Corporation, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation responsible for the administration of the UTSAP as described in Section 757.215.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.15  Dispute Procedures

 

Low-income subscribers seeking or receiving benefits under the Illinois UTSAP program may appeal to the Commission's Consumer Services Division pursuant to 83 Ill. Adm. Code 735.

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

SUBPART B: LINK UP PROGRAM

 

Section 757.100  Link Up Service Requirement (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

 

Section 757.105  Link Up Recovery Mechanism (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

 

Section 757.110  Link Up Publicity (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

 

Section 757.115  Link Up Application Procedure and Processing (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

 

Section 757.120  Link Up Filing Requirements (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

 

Section 757.125  Link Up Eligibility (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

 

Section 757.130  Link Up Eligibility Certification (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

SUBPART C: UNIVERSAL TELEPHONE SERVICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

 

Section 757.200  Service Requirement

 

a)         Each LEC shall participate in the local exchange service portions of the Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program (UTSAP) as required and authorized by Section 13-301.1 of the Public Utilities Act and as ordered by the Commission.  All voluntary contributions received by an LEC under Section 757.205 shall be forwarded to the UTSAP Administrator, consistent with the provisions of Section 757.210(d).  The UTSAP Administrator shall invest these funds in:

 

1)         Securities backed by the United States government or its agencies;

 

2)         Investment grade bonds with remaining terms to maturity of three years or less;

 

3)         Mutual funds that invest no less than 80% of their assets in bonds backed by the United States government or its agencies;

 

4)         Investment grade bonds, with weighted-average remaining terms to maturity of three years or less; or

 

5)         Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured certificates of deposit, FDIC-insured money market accounts, and other cash equivalent FDIC-insured investments.

 

b)         On July 1 of each year, UTAC shall file with the Commission a petition requesting the Commission to determine the amount of supplemental assistance, if any, UTAC shall provide each eligible new subscriber or eligible subscriber under the programs set forth in subsection (c).  The petition shall contain recommendations of the UTSAP Administrator as provided in Section 757.215(c).  The Commission may enter an order without a hearing; however, a hearing shall be held if requested by a party or by Staff within 30 days after the date the petition is filed, and a hearing may also be held on the Commission's or the Administrative Law Judge's own motion.  The Commission shall determine, subject to the availability of funds, the amount of supplemental assistance, if any, the LECs shall provide each eligible new subscriber or eligible subscriber under the programs set forth in subsection (c).

 

c)         UTSAP may provide assistance or, in the case of customers of eligible telecommunications carriers, supplement the assistance as provided by Section 13-301.1 of the Act, including, but not limited to:

 

1)         a local exchange service charge waiver of the local exchange service installation charges for eligible new subscribers of local exchange service;

 

2)         a local exchange service charge waiver of all or a portion of the local exchange service obligation of eligible subscribers or eligible new subscribers, which, in the case of eligible telecommunications carriers, is supplemental to any federal Lifeline assistance;

 

3)         a combination of both subsections (c)(1) and (2) as ordered by the Commission under subsections (b), (d), and (e); or

 

4)         any other program authorized by Section 13-301.1 of the Act.

 

d)         Limitation of Eligibility

 

1)         If the Commission determines that a local exchange service charge waiver of all or a portion of the local exchange service obligation should be provided by the UTSAP, in the form of State Lifeline service support or otherwise, the Commission may, if it deems necessary, limit eligibility to:

 

A)        one or more of the individual Proxy Programs identified in the definition of "Proxy Programs" in Section 757.10; or

 

B)        one or more subprograms within, or components of, an individual Proxy Program.

 

2)         Any proposals to limit eligibility pursuant to this subsection (d) shall be made as part of the petition filed annually under subsection (b).

 

3)         The Commission shall adopt a proposal that limits eligibility for assistance to one or more Proxy Programs or subprograms or components thereof pursuant to this subsection (d) only if it finds that:

 

A)        participation in the Proxy Program, subprogram, or component can be verified;

 

B)        the funds available to the UTSAP from voluntary contributions are sufficient and predictable, so as to permit the UTSAP to provide State Lifeline support to all subscribers or all new subscribers within the Proxy Program, subprogram, or component on an ongoing basis;

 

C)        the proposal will increase accessibility to telecommunications services;

 

D)        the proposal adequately considers the needs of and potential benefits to participants in the Proxy Programs; and

 

E)        the proposal establishes narrowly targeted qualification criteria that are based solely on income or factors directly related to income, consistent with 47 CFR 54.409, as amended through the FCC's Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 16-38, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197 and 10-90 (released April 27, 2016).  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

e)         The Commission, on its own motion, or based upon a petition filed by the UTSAP Administrator, may order the LECs to temporarily suspend payment of or temporarily reduce the amount of the supplemental assistance provided under the programs set forth in Section 757.200(c), if the total program costs, in combination with the costs of any other programs administered by UTAC subject to this Part, exceed, or will exceed, the funds available from contributions specified in Section 757.205.  If the Commission suspends or reduces the amount of payments under this Section, the Commission shall determine, subject to the availability of funds, the amount of supplemental assistance, if any, the LECs shall provide each eligible new subscriber or eligible subscriber under the programs set forth in subsection (c).

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.205  UTSAP Funding

 

a)         All funding for UTSAP will be by voluntary contributions.

 

b)         Customers wishing to participate in the funding of UTSAP may do so by electing to contribute, on a monthly basis, a fixed amount to be included by the LEC on the customer's monthly bill for local exchange service.  This contribution shall not reduce the customer's total amount due for local exchange services or other charges appearing on the bill.

 

c)         Residential customers may elect to contribute either $.50, $1.00, $2.00 or $5.00 per month.  Business customers may elect to contribute $1.00, $5.00, $10.00 or $25.00 per month.  Contributions will be collected on a recurring basis each month from the customer's bill remittance and will be reported and transferred to the UTSAP Administrator as specified in Section 757.210(c).

 

d)         Customers may elect to discontinue or change the amount of the monthly contribution on their bill at any time upon providing at least 30 days' notice to the LEC.

 

e)         LECs shall provide local exchange service customers the ability and the opportunity to make the elections referred to in subsections (b), (c) and (d) on the bill inserts required by Section 757.220(a).

 

f)         Failure by the customer in any month to remit the entire billed amount shall reduce the UTSAP contribution accordingly.

 

g)         One time or periodic contributions in excess of those amounts shown in subsection (d) shall be made directly to the UTSAP Administrator.

 

h)         There are no other funding requirements on any party or individual for UTSAP above and beyond those shown in this Section.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.210  UTSAP Recovery

 

Costs incurred as a result of providing local exchange service under Section 757.200 shall be recovered in the following manner:

 

a)         The LECs shall deduct the local exchange service charge waivers provided to participants for local exchange service obligations and any additional local exchange service charge waivers of the initial local exchange service installation charge as specified in Section 757.200 from the voluntary UTSAP contributions.  Each LEC shall forward to the UTSAP Administrator voluntary UTSAP contributions net of installation local exchange service charge waivers and Lifeline local exchange service charge waivers provided pursuant to Section 757.200(c).

 

b)         The LECs shall be allowed to recover their administrative costs associated with the UTSAP from the voluntary UTSAP contributions.  If seeking recovery, administrative costs shall be reported by LECs annually to the Commission and the UTSAP Administrator through reports in the form of Exhibit B.

 

c)         Each LEC with more than 35,000 access lines shall report in the form of Exhibit C and remit monthly to the UTSAP Administrator, and shall report quarterly in the form of Exhibit A to the Commission and the UTSAP Administrator.  Each LEC with 35,000 or fewer access lines shall report quarterly in the form of Exhibits A and C to the Commission and the UTSAP Administrator, and shall remit quarterly to the UTSAP Administrator.

 

d)         The monthly LEC reports to the UTSAP Administrator required of LECs with more than 35,000 access lines shall be in the form of Exhibit C and shall include:

 

1)         the total UTSAP contributions billed, less adjustments for previous months UTSAP contributions billed but not collected;

 

2)         the total amount of local exchange service obligations waived;

 

3)         the amount of the additional local exchange service charge waivers of the initial local exchange service installation charges as specified in Section 757.200; and

 

4)         any allowable administrative expenses incurred as specified in subsection (b).

 

e)         Costs of the UTSAP Administrator and its functions will be recovered from the UTSAP contributions before any other payments are made under the plan.

 

f)         Subject to its jurisdiction, the Commission may examine at any time the reasonableness of the LEC's costs incurred solely because of participation in UTSAP.  If the Commission determines, after notice and hearing, that those expenditures are not reasonable, the LEC shall remit the amounts determined not to be reasonable to the UTSAP Administrator.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.215  UTSAP Administrator

 

a)         All Illinois LECs shall be members of the Universal Telephone Assistance Corporation (UTAC), an Illinois not-for-profit corporation that will serve as the UTSAP Administrator.

 

b)         The UTAC Board will consist of 9 members.  There shall be three classes of directors:  one class consisting of 5 directors who shall be elected from five or more nominations made by the LECs, one class consisting of two directors who shall be elected from two or more nominations made by the Attorney General and the Citizens Utility Board, and one class consisting of two directors who shall be elected from two or more nominations made by the National People's Action, the Community Action for Fair Utility Practice, and the South Austin Coalition Community Council. The directors of all three classes shall be elected by a vote of the members of UTAC.

 

c)         The responsibilities of the UTAC, as the UTSAP Administrator, shall be:

 

1)         to administer a statewide UTSAP pool to which all LECs will report UTSAP contributions and expenses.

 

2)         to collect UTSAP contributions net of installation and Lifeline local exchange service charge waivers provided pursuant to Section 757.200(c) and reimburse LECs for their administrative expenses.

 

3)         to advise the Commission at any time that the total program costs exceed or will exceed the total contributions, so that the Commission may consider suspending any UTSAP programs or reducing the amount of assistance until such time as there are sufficient funds available to offset the costs.

 

4)         to assess the total UTSAP costs and the total UTSAP revenues and to petition the Commission pursuant to Section 757.200(b) and (d) for the purpose of recommending any changes in the local exchange service charge waiver amounts, the establishment of any new UTSAP programs, or the discontinuance of any existing programs.

 

5)         to provide external promotion and advertising of UTSAP programs in conformance with and in addition to that specified in Section 757.220.

 

d)         The UTAC, with Board approval, may contract with an outside agency to establish and maintain the UTSAP pooling function.  The UTAC shall obtain Commission approval of any such contract.

 

e)         The UTSAP Administrator shall request bids and seek Commission approval of all contracts exceeding $25,000.

 

f)         To receive a payment from the UTSAP Administrator, an LEC must comply with Section 13-301.1 of the Act, all requirements of this Part, and the bylaws and Member Agreement of the UTSAP Administrator.

 

1)         The UTSAP Administrator may request information in writing regarding an LEC's payment request.  An LEC shall have 14 business days to respond.  The UTSAP Administrator may temporarily withhold payment for 60 calendar days after the filing due dates in Section 757.250, or deny, in whole or in part, an LEC payment request if the request is not adequately documented, is inaccurate, or does not comply with all requirements of this Part, Section 13-301.1 of the Act, and the bylaws and Member Agreement of the UTSAP Administrator.

 

2)         The UTSAP Administrator shall notify an LEC in writing, by U.S. mail to the LEC's address of record, of a decision to deny a payment request.

 

3)         An LEC denied a payment request shall have 60 calendar days after the mailing date of the UTSAP Administrator's denial notification to file a complaint pursuant to 83 Ill. Adm. Code 200.170.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.220  UTSAP Contribution Solicitation and Program Publicity

 

a)         All LECs shall publicize the UTSAP to encourage contributions.

 

1)         Annually, each LEC shall notify its local exchange service customers that they may elect to participate in the funding of UTSAP by electing to contribute, on a monthly basis, a fixed amount to be included in monthly bills until canceled by the customer.

 

2)         The customer notification specified in subsection (a)(1) shall be in the form of an insert in the customer bill.  The mailing will specify fixed monthly amounts from which customers wishing to contribute may choose.  In addition, the bill insert shall contain a phone number, post card or a mailing address that the customer may use to contact the LEC in order to initiate monthly contribution billing.

 

3)         On an ongoing basis, at least once each quarter, each LEC shall solicit UTSAP contributions from its local exchange service customers through bill inserts, news releases, LEC publications or other suitable means.

 

4)         The LEC will inform customers that they may contribute to UTSAP in connection with all orders for new service installation or move of service within the LEC's territory.

 

b)         Each LEC shall publicize, in all of its exchanges, each local exchange service program offered by the LEC under this Subpart C at least once each calendar quarter.  These advertisements may appear in press releases, brochures, bill inserts, LEC publications, newspapers, radio, television and/or any other suitable means in the LEC's service territory.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.225  UTSAP Eligibility

 

a)         In order to be eligible to receive benefits under the UTSAP Program described in this Subpart C, an individual must meet the Lifeline Program eligibility criteria adopted by the FCC in 47 CFR 54.409, as amended through the FCC's Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 16-38, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197 and 10-90 (released April 27, 2016).

 

b)         Benefits available under the UTSAP program shall be limited to one discount per household at the principal place of residence of the eligible subscriber.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.230  UTSAP Application Procedure and Processing

 

The LECs shall be responsible for processing all UTSAP applications related to local exchange service.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.235  LEC UTSAP Eligibility Determination

 

The LEC shall verify that the individual in the UTSAP for local exchange service qualifies as an eligible subscriber or eligible new subscriber, as applicable. The LEC may rely on eligibility verification provided by a National FCC Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, if one is available for the federal Lifeline Program, or directly verify that the individual in the UTSAP for local exchange service qualifies as an eligible subscriber or eligible new subscriber, as applicable.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.240  Recertification (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 22 Ill. Reg. 8810, effective May 9, 1998)

 

Section 757.245  UTSAP Filing Requirements

 

a)         LECs shall provide for, in tariffs filed with the Commission or in written service offerings available on their websites, an additional local exchange service charge waiver of the initial local exchange service installation charge and/or a Lifeline local exchange service charge waiver pursuant to orders of the Commission under Section 757.200 authorizing such supplemental assistance programs.

 

b)         UTAC shall file with the Commission, on a quarterly basis, a report containing the information specified in Exhibit D.

 

c)         UTAC shall file with the Commission copies of the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors of UTAC.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.250  LEC Filing Requirements

 

Each LEC shall complete Exhibit A and file an original of this report with the Chief Clerk of the Illinois Commerce Commission within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Any LEC seeking administrative cost reimbursement shall complete Exhibit B and file an original of this report with the Chief Clerk of the Illinois Commerce Commission within 30 days after the end of each calendar year.

 

(Source:  Added at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

SUBPART D: STAFF LIAISON

 

Section 757.300  Staff Liaison

 

a)         The Executive Director of the Illinois Commerce Commission shall appoint one Staff member to act as Staff Liaison to the programs provided under this Part.  The Staff Liaison shall serve as contact person, advisor, and monitor of the UTSAP Administrator and low-income residential customers.

 

b)         The UTSAP Administrator and the LECs shall serve one copy of all filings, reports or other information provided to the Commission under this Part on the Staff Liaison.

 

(Source:  Amended at 20 Ill. Reg. 15257, effective December 1, 1996)

SUBPART E: LIFELINE SERVICE

 

Section 757.400  Lifeline Service Requirements

 

a)         Each eligible telecommunications carrier shall participate in the Lifeline Program adopted by the FCC in 47 CFR 54.Subpart E, as amended through the FCC's Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 16-38, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197 and 10-90 (released April 27, 2016).  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

b)         Each eligible telecommunications carrier shall comply with all Lifeline Program requirements adopted by the FCC in 47 CFR 54.Subpart E, as amended through the FCC's Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 16-38, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197 and 10-90 (released April 27, 2016). This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

c)         Each eligible telecommunications carrier shall meet additional Lifeline service requirements, if any, established by Commission Order.

 

d)         Each eligible telecommunications carrier shall complete Exhibit A and file an original of this report with the Chief Clerk of the Illinois Commerce Commission within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.  Carriers that have eligible telecommunications carrier designations for both wireline and wireless operations shall report separately for wireline and wireless operations.  Any LEC seeking administrative cost reimbursement shall complete Exhibit B and file an original of this report with the Chief Clerk of the Illinois Commerce Commission within 30 days after the end of each calendar year.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.405  Lifeline Recovery Mechanism (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

 

Section 757.410  Lifeline Publicity  (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

 

Section 757.415  Lifeline Application Procedures and Processing  (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

 

Section 757.420  Lifeline Filing Requirements (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

 

Section 757.425  Lifeline Eligibility

 

In order to be eligible to receive benefits under the Lifeline Program described in this Subpart E an individual must:

 

a)         Meet Lifeline Program eligibility criteria adopted by the FCC in 47 CFR 54.Subpart E, as amended through the FCC's Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 16-38, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197 and 10-90 (released April 27, 2016). This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

b)         Meet additional eligibility criteria, if any, established by the Commission pursuant to Section 757.200(d).

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)

 

Section 757.430  Lifeline Eligibility Certification and Verification (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)

SUBPART F: BIAS ASSISTANCE

 

Section 757.500  BIAS Program Administration

 

a)         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part, UTAC may develop a recommendation for UTAC to administer a program to provide assistance to eligible customers and/or eligible new customers of BIAS offered by BIAS providers that voluntarily participate in that program.  If UTAC elects to develop such a recommendation, UTAC shall file with the Commission a petition requesting the Commission to approve the recommended program and determine the amount of assistance UTAC shall provide each eligible new subscriber or eligible subscriber under the program.  The petition shall contain recommendations of the UTSAP Administrator as to the amount of the assistance.  The Commission may enter an order adopting UTAC's recommendation without a hearing; however, a hearing shall be held if requested by a party or by Staff within 30 days after the date the petition is filed, and a hearing may also be held on the Commission's own motion.

 

b)         On July 1 of each year thereafter, UTAC shall file with the Commission a petition requesting the Commission to redetermine the amount, if any, UTAC shall provide each eligible new subscriber or eligible subscriber under the programs set forth in this subsection (b).  The petition shall contain recommendations of the UTSAP Administrator of the amount of that assistance.  The Commission may enter an order without a hearing; however, a hearing shall be held if requested by a party or by Staff within 30 days after the date the petition is filed, and a hearing may also be held on the Commission's own motion.  The Commission shall determine, subject to the availability of funds, the amount of supplemental assistance, if any, the providers shall provide each eligible new subscriber or eligible subscriber.  The petition filed pursuant to this subsection (b) shall be filed together with the petition filed pursuant to Section 757.200(b).

 

c)         The Commission, on its own motion, or based upon a petition filed by the UTSAP Administrator, may order the suspension of payments or temporarily reduce the amount of the supplemental assistance provided under the programs set forth in this Section if the total program costs, in combination with the costs of any other programs administered by UTAC subject to this Part, exceed, or will exceed, the funds available from contributions specified in Section 757.205.  If the Commission suspends or reduces the amount of payments under this Section, the Commission shall determine, subject to the availability of funds, the amount of supplemental assistance, if any, the providers shall provide each eligible new subscriber or eligible subscriber.

 

d)         Whenever UTAC elects or is obligated to make a filing under this Section or any other provision of this Part, UTAC may address BIAS and local exchange service in the same filing, provided that any discussion of programs, supplemental assistance or recommendations shall clearly identify whether the discussion pertains to BIAS, local exchange service, or both.

 

e)         If and when UTAC develops a recommendation for UTAC to administer a program to provide assistance to eligible customers and/or eligible new customers of BIAS offered by BIAS providers that voluntarily participate in that program, UTAC may propose to extend the BIAS program to include assistance to eligible customers and/or eligible new customers of Voice Telephony Service (as that term is defined in 47 CFR 54.400 (July 1, 2017)) other than local exchange service offered by Voice Telephony Service providers that voluntarily participate in the BIAS program.

 

(Source:  Added at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)







Section 757.EXHIBIT A   LEC and ETC Quarterly Report to Commission

 

LIFELINE AND

UNIVERSAL TELEPHONE SERVICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION

 

Company Mailing Address

Date of Submission

Data Period:

Year

Quarter:        1st     2nd     3rd    4th

Contact Name

Type of Filing:    Original    Correction

Telephone

Service Type:    Wireline    Wireless

Program

(a) Month:

(b) Month:

(c) Month:

(d) Quarter Totals

(e) Year-to-Date Totals:

1.0  UTSAP INSTALLATION WAIVER

1.1 Number of applications approved during the month

1.2 Number of customers for whom supplemental local exchange service installation charges were waived during the month

1.3 Supplemental local exchange service installation charges waived

$

$

$

$

$

2.0 LIFELINE – FEDERAL

2.1 Number of Federal Lifeline customers at end of month

2.2 Number of Illinois Federal Lifeline applications approved during the month

2.3 Number of Illinois Federal Lifeline customers added during the month

2.4 Number of Illinois Federal Lifeline customers lost during the month

2.5 Total Illinois Federal Lifeline Assistance

$

$

$

$

$

3.0 LIFELINE – UTSAP

SUPPLEMENTAL

MONTHLY ASSISTANCE

3.1 Number of UTSAP funded Lifeline customers at end of month

**

3.2 Number of UTSAP funded Lifeline applications approved during the month

3.3 Number of UTSAP funded Lifeline customers added during the month

$

$

$

$

$

3.4 Number of UTSAP funded Lifeline customers lost during the month

3.5 UTSAP funded total Lifeline Supplemental Assistance

 

NOTES:

 

a)         Each LEC must file the original of this Exhibit A with the Chief Clerk of Illinois Commerce Commission and forward a copy to the UTSAP Administrator and the Staff Liaison within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.  Each ETC, if not otherwise required by this Part, shall complete the "LIFELINE AND UNIVERSAL TELEPHONE SERVICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION" portion of this Exhibit A and file an original of this report with the Chief Clerk of the Illinois Commerce Commission within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter unless the ETC participates solely in BIAS programs subject to this Part.

 

b)         A Lifeline customer should be counted as approved during the month if the LEC accepts the customer for participation in the Lifeline Program during the month.  A Lifeline customer should be counted as added during a month if the LEC provided an initial Lifeline subsidy to the customer during the month and claimed reimbursement for the subsidy.  Please note that counts of approved and added customers will differ to the extent that customers approved in a month are not added (i.e., provided service and Lifeline subsidies) until subsequent months.  A Lifeline customer should be counted as lost during a month if the LEC ceased providing the Lifeline subsidy to the customer during the month and did not claim reimbursement for the subsidy.


QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION   STATUS OF UTSAP EXPENDITURES

LOCAL EXCHANGE COMPANY:

FOR CALENDAR QUARTER ENDING:

UTSAP EXPENDITURE REPORT

Current Quarter

Year to Date*

1.

Telecommunications Expenses

a.

Billing and Data Processing

$

$

b.

Customer Notification and Bill Inserts

c.

Certification Administration (LEC) and Contact Time

(Total of Lines 1-6 below)

1.

Salaries & Fringe Benefits

2.

Materials

3

Postage

4.

Transportation Expenses

5.

Preprinted Forms

6.

Other

d.

Certification Administration (IDPA/SSI)

e.

Service Representative Training

f.

Other, please specify

__________________________________

TOTALS

$

$

Less UTSAP Reimbursement Received

$

$

BALANCES

$

$

*

Includes Current Quarter

NOTES::

Each Local Exchange Company must file the original of this Exhibit A with the Chief Clerk of the Illinois Commerce Commission and forward a copy to the UTSAP Administrator and the Staff Liaison within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.  Expenses associated with the Federal Lifeline Program should not be reported on this form.

LECs shall maintain supporting documentation in such a manner as to be able to readily identify the above expenses in appropriate subaccounts.

Quarterly "Totals" reported on this page should correspond to the sum of the monthly "Administrative Costs" reported on Exhibit B by LECs with over 35,000 access lines.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)




Section 757.EXHIBIT B   LEC Annual Report to the Commission

 

LOCAL EXCHANGE COMPANY:

FOR CALENDAR YEAR ENDING:

UTSAP EXPENDITURE REPORT

Calendar Year

1.

Telecommunications Expenses

a.

Billing and Data Processing

$

b.

Customer Notification and Bill Inserts

c.

Certification Administration (LEC) and Contact Time

(Total of Lines 1-5 below)

1.

Materials

2.

Postage

3.

Transportation Expenses

4.

Preprinted Forms

5.

Other

d.

Certification Administration (HFS/SSI)

e.

Service Representative Training

f.

Other, please specify

TOTAL

$

Less UTSAP Reimbursement Received

$

BALANCE

$

2.      Notes:

 

 

 

 

(Source:  Added at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)




Section 757.EXHIBIT C   LEC Supplemental Assistance Charge and Contributions Report

 

Monthly/Quarterly LEC Supplemental Assistance Charge and Contribution Report

LEC

Month/Quarter

Contributions:

a)

Total Contribution Billed

b)

Less Uncollectible Contributions

from previous months

c)

Total Contributions

Supplemental Assistance:

a)

Total Supplemental Local Exchange Service Installation Charges

(Exhibit A, line 1.3)

b)

Total Monthly Supplemental

Assistance (Exhibit A, line 3.5)

c)

Total Supplemental Assistance

Amount Due from UTSAP Administrator (Supplemental Assistance exceeds Contributions)

or

Amount to be Remitted to UTSAP Administrative (Contributions exceed Supplemental Assistance

Administrative Costs

Note:  Exhibit C is to be forwarded monthly to the UTSAP Administrator by LECs with more than 35,000 access lines and quarterly by LECs with fewer than 35,000 access lines.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16417, effective August 15, 2018)




Section 757.EXHIBIT D   Quarterly UTSAP Administrator Report to Commission

 

Quarterly UTSAP Administrator Report

 

For Calendar Quarter Ending
1.	Balance in Pool at Beginning of Quarter
	Total Contributions to UTSAP
	a)	Billed by LECs
	b)	Directly to UTSAP Administrator
	c)	Interest Earned
	d)	Less Uncollected Contributions
2.	Total Contributions
	Total Costs
	a)	LEC Supplemental Installation
		Charges
	b)	LEC Supplemental Monthly Assistance
	c)	LEC Administrative Expenses
	d)	UTSAP Administrator Expenses
3.	Total Costs
4.	Balance in Pool at End of Quarter
	(Line 1 plus Line 2 minus Line 3)

 

(Source:  Exhibit C reunumbered to Exhibit D at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)




Section 757.EXHIBIT E   Lifeline Verification Ineligibility Notice (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Exhibit D renumbered to Exhibit E and repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)




Section 757.EXHIBIT F   Link Up/Lifeline Programs Certification Form (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Exhibit E renumbered to Exhibit F and repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 11287, effective July 2, 2013)