Lifeline Reform and Modernization, Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support, Connect America Fund

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
3060-0819 Supporting Statement Final_June 2017.docx Supporting Statement A	2017-07-03

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
218853	FCC Forms 555 and 481 Other-Form 555 Field Descriptions	Modified
218852	FCC Form 497 Other-FCC 497 Field Descriptions	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 3060-0819	ICR Reference No: 201704-3060-017
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201606-3060-029
Agency/Subagency: FCC	Agency Tracking No: WCB
Title: Lifeline Reform and Modernization, Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support, Connect America Fund
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 07/03/2017
	Date Received in OIRA: 05/23/2017
Terms of Clearance: Updated supporting statement with clarification and response to public comments.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	07/31/2020	36 Months From Approved	09/30/2019
Responses	23,328,463	0	23,956,240
Time Burden (Hours)	12,148,151	0	13,484,412
Cost Burden (Dollars)	937,500	0	937,500

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Abstract: The Commission adopted the Lifeline Third Reform Order, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197, and 10-90, Third Report and Order, Futher Report and Order, and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 16-38, that imposed sweeping changes to the Lifeline program including laying the groundwork for a National Verifier to determine Lifeline subscriber eligibility and annual recertification. The National Verifier will make eligibility determinications and perform other functions necessary to enroll eligible subscribers into the Lifeline program.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 47 USC 201-205 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
   US Code: 47 USC 214 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
   US Code: 47 USC 254 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
   US Code: 47 USC 1 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
   US Code: 47 USC 4(i) Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
   US Code: 47 USC 403 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
3060-AF85	Final or interim final rulemaking	81 FR 33025	05/24/2016

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 12092	02/28/2017
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 23566	05/23/2017
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
FCC Form 497	FCC 497	Lifeline Worksheet
FCC Forms 555 and 481

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	23,328,463	23,956,240	0	2,375,499	-3,003,276	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	12,148,151	13,484,412	0	723,705	-2,059,966	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	937,500	937,500	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Changing Regulations

Short Statement: The Commission is reporting program changes to reflect the transition to the National Verifier, which will replace the current system of eligibility verification used by service providers and states to verify Lifeline eligibility. The draft National Verifier plan projects that five states/territories will transition to the National Verifier by December 31, 2017. As a result of these program changes, the overall number of respondents increased by 2,374,369, the total number of annual responses increased by 2,375,499, and the total annual burden hours increased by 723,705. The Commission also is reporting adjustments to this information collection, which are due to an update in the number of respondents. For these adjustments, the total number of respondents decreased by 3,001,299, the total number of annual responses decreased by 3,003,276, and the total annual burden hours decreased by 2,059,966. These adjustments are due to the Commission re-evaluating the previous figures used in this collection to better reflect experience in administrating the collections.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 05/23/2017

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