FCC, USAC, and your free phone
Three federal acronyms come up constantly in Lifeline conversations: FCC, USAC, and ETC. Here's what each one actually does in plain English.
FCC — Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is the federal agency that writes the rules for the Lifeline program. The FCC decides who qualifies (the 135% FPL threshold, the list of qualifying programs), how much the subsidy is ($9.25 standard / $34.25 Tribal), and which carriers can participate. The FCC does not handle individual applications and does not run the day-to-day program — that's USAC's job.
USAC — Universal Service Administrative Company
USAC is a non-profit corporation created by the FCC in 1996 to administer the Universal Service Fund, which funds Lifeline. USAC operates the National Verifier (which approves your application), the National Lifeline Accountability Database (which prevents duplicate enrollments), and the consumer portal at checklifeline.org. USAC also handles annual recertifications and processes carrier reimbursement claims.
ETC — Eligible Telecommunications Carrier
An ETC is a wireless carrier that has been formally approved to participate in the Lifeline program by the FCC and the relevant state public utility commission. Becoming an ETC is a regulatory process that takes months. The carriers featured on FreePhone Guide are all approved national or multi-state ETCs.
Where state PUCs fit in
State public utility commissions (PUCs) approve ETC designations within their state and, in a handful of states (California, Texas, Oregon, Vermont and a few others), administer state Lifeline supplements that stack with the federal benefit. Otherwise, state PUCs play a relatively minor role in day-to-day Lifeline administration.
Who actually answers the phone?
For application help: the carrier you're applying with. For National Verifier issues: USAC at 1-800-234-9473. For program-rule questions: the FCC consumer help line at 1-888-225-5322. For Universal Service Fund or auditing matters: USAC. For anything related to a specific state Lifeline supplement: that state's public utility commission.
Continue reading: browse state-by-state Lifeline guides or compare approved carriers.