§  54.1600   Definitions.

   (a) Broadband internet access service. The term “broadband internet
   access service” has the meaning given such term in 47 CFR 8.1(b), or
   any successor regulation.

   (b) Broadband provider. The term “broadband provider” means a provider
   of broadband internet access service.

   (c) Commission. The term “Commission” means the Federal Communications
   Commission.

   (d) Connected device. The term “connected device” means a laptop or
   desktop computer or a tablet.

   (e) Designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier. The term
   “designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier”, with respect to
   a broadband provider, means the broadband provider is designated as an
   eligible telecommunications carrier under section 214(e) of the
   Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 214(e)).

   (f) Direct service. As used in this subpart, direct service means the
   provision of service directly to the qualifying low-income consumer.

   (g) Duplicative support. “Duplicative support” exists when an Emergency
   Broadband Benefit subscriber is receiving two or more Emergency
   Broadband Benefit services concurrently or two or more subscribers in a
   household have received a connected device with an Emergency Broadband
   Benefit discount

   (h) Eligible household. The term “eligible household” means, regardless
   of whether the household or any member of the household receives
   support under subpart E of 47 CFR part 54 (or any successor
   regulation), and regardless of whether any member of the household has
   any past or present arrearages with a broadband provider, a household
   in which—

   (1) At least one member of the household meets the qualifications 47
   CFR 54.409(a) or (b) (or any successor regulation);

   (2) At least one member of the household has applied for and been
   approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced price lunch
   program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42
   U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) or the school breakfast program under section 4 of
   the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773);

   (3) At least one member of the household has experienced a substantial
   loss of income since February 29, 2020, that is documented by layoff or
   furlough notice, application for unemployment insurance benefits, or
   similar documentation or that is otherwise verifiable through the
   National Verifier or National Lifeline Accountability Database;

   (4) At least one member of the household has received a Federal Pell
   Grant under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
   1070a) in the current award year, if such award is verifiable through
   the National Verifier or National Lifeline Accountability Database or
   the participating provider verifies eligibility under 47 CFR
   54.1606(a)(2); or

   (5) At least one member of the household meets the eligibility criteria
   for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program,
   subject to the requirements of 47 CFR 54.1606(a)(2).

   (i) Emergency broadband benefit. The term “emergency broadband benefit”
   means a monthly discount for an eligible household applied to the
   actual amount charged to such household, which shall be no more than
   the standard rate for an internet service offering and associated
   equipment, in an amount equal to such amount charged, but not more than
   $50, or, if an internet service offering is provided to an eligible
   household on Tribal land, not more than $75.

   (j) Emergency period. The term “emergency period” means the period
   that—

   (1) Begins on the date of the enactment of the Consolidated
   Appropriations Act; and

   (2) Ends on the date that is 6 months after the date on which the
   determination by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to
   section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) that a
   public health emergency exists as a result of COVID-19, including any
   renewal thereof, terminates.

   (k) Enrollment representative. An employee, agent, contractor, or
   subcontractor, acting on behalf of an eligible telecommunications
   carrier or third-party entity, who directly or indirectly provides
   information to the Administrator for the purpose of eligibility
   verification, enrollment, subscriber personal information updates,
   benefit transfers, or de-enrollment.

   (l) Household. A “household” is any individual or group of individuals
   who are living together at the same address as one economic unit. A
   household may include related and unrelated persons. An “economic unit”
   consists of all adult individuals contributing to and sharing in the
   income and expenses of a household. An adult is any person eighteen
   years or older. If an adult has no or minimal income, and lives with
   someone who provides financial support to him/her, both people shall be
   considered part of the same household. Children under the age of
   eighteen living with their parents or guardians are considered to be
   part of the same household as their parents or guardians.

   (m) Income. “Income” means gross income as defined under section 61 of
   the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 61, for all members of the
   household. This means all income actually received by all members of
   the household from whatever source derived, unless specifically
   excluded by the Internal Revenue Code, Part III of Title 26, 26 U.S.C.
   101 et seq.

   (n) Internet service offering. The term “internet service offering”
   means, with respect to a broadband provider, broadband internet access
   service provided by such provider to a household, offered in the same
   manner, and on the same terms, as described in any of such provider's
   offerings for broadband internet access service to such household, as
   on December 1, 2020.

   (o) Lifeline qualifying assistance program. A “Lifeline qualifying
   assistance program” means any of the Federal or Tribal assistance
   programs the participation in which, pursuant to 47 CFR 54.409(a) or
   (b), qualifies a consumer for Lifeline service, including Medicaid;
   Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Supplemental Security
   Income; Federal Public Housing Assistance; Veterans and Survivors
   Pension Benefit; Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance; Tribally
   administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF);
   Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying
   standard); or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
   (FDPIR).

   (p) National Lifeline Accountability Database. The “National Lifeline
   Accountability Database” is an electronic system, with associated
   functions, processes, policies and procedures, to facilitate the
   detection and elimination of duplicative support, as directed by the
   Commission.

   (q) National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier or National Verifier. The
   “National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier” or “National Verifier” is an
   electronic and manual system with associated functions, processes,
   policies and procedures, to facilitate the determination of consumer
   eligibility for the Lifeline program and Emergency Broadband Benefit
   Program, as directed by the Commission.

   (r) Participating provider. The term “participating provider” means a
   broadband provider that—

   (1)(i) Is designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier; or

   (ii) Meets requirements established by the Commission for participation
   in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program and is approved by the
   Commission under 47 CFR 54.1601(b); and

   (2) Elects to participate in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.

   (s) Standard rate. The term “standard rate” means the monthly retail
   rate for the applicable tier of broadband internet access service as of
   December 1, 2020, excluding any taxes or other governmental fees.

   (t) Tribal lands. For purposes of this subpart, “Tribal lands” include
   any Federally recognized Indian tribe's reservation, pueblo, or colony,
   including former reservations in Oklahoma; Alaska Native regions
   established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85
   Stat. 688); Indian allotments; Hawaiian Home Lands—areas held in trust
   for Native Hawaiians by the state of Hawaii, pursuant to the Hawaiian
   Homes Commission Act, 1920 July 9, 1921, 42 Stat. 108, et seq., as
   amended; and any land designated as such by the Commission for purposes
   of subpart E of 47 CFR part 54 (or any successor regulation) pursuant
   to the designation process in 47 CFR 54.412.