The FCC’s National Lifeline Accountability Database (“NLAD”) now is operational in all states and has already had a significant impact in reducing waste, fraud, and abuse. The FCC announced today that, so far, the NLAD has identified duplicate subscribers that will result in $169 million in annual savings to the program. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler hailed the NLAD’s “smart use of technology to help prevent waste, fraud and abuse,” and “commend[ed] the industry for working with us to implement this effective solution to eliminating wasteful duplicates.”

On March 27, USAC began migrating carrier data from the final group of states into the “live” production NLAD, and notifying carriers that the data had been migrated. Upon notification, use of the NLAD is mandatory when enrolling, editing, or de-enrolling subscribers. In addition, USAC is continuing to phase-in its duplicate resolution process to the states. So far, USAC has mailed letters to subscribers identified as duplicates in the Group 1 states (Maryland, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Washington). The first states in Group 2 to which letters will be sent are Massachusetts (on April 4) and Ohio (on April 8).

While the NLAD provides a mechanism for enforcing the FCC’s one-per-household rule for Lifeline, it does not verify subscriber eligibility, so carriers must continue to obtain completed certification forms and check each applicant’s proof of benefits.