SECTION 165:59-9-25. Procedures for requesting reimbursement from the OLF

(a)   Any eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider required to file Lifeline Service tariffs may apply to the OLF Administrator or contracted agent of the OLF for reimbursement of the Lifeline Service Program credits provided for residential basic local service.

(b)   Upon receipt of a "Request for OLF Funding", the OLF Administrator or contracted agent shall independently evaluate and review the Request and supporting documentation and, as appropriate, pay the applicable amount to the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider, as provided in the Oklahoma Telecommunications Act.

(c)   An eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider seeking reimbursement of eligible Lifeline Service Program credits from the OLF shall:

(1)   File a "Request for OLF Funding" with the Commission's Court Clerk.

(2)   Concurrent with filing the Request for OLF Funding, the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider who is requesting funding from the OLF shall provide notice, which shall include the dollar amount of the request for lump sum and any recurring amounts, of the Request for OLF Funding to the OLF Administrator, the Oklahoma Attorney General, and to each contributing provider by providing an electronic copy of such notification to the OLF Administrator on the date the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider files its Request for OLF Funding with the Commission's Court Clerk, for posting on the Commission's website. The OLF Administrator will then place the notification on the Commission's website within five (5) business days.

(d)   An eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider may not receive reimbursements from the OLF unless it demonstrates that its rates have been reduced by an amount equal to the amount of the Lifeline payments that were previously included in the rate structure of the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider. An eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider shall be eligible for support from the OLF for any amount which is greater than the amount which has been previously included in the rate structure of the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider.

(e)   The OLF Administrator and/or contracted agent shall independently evaluate, review, and determine the accuracy of the complete request and issue a Determination of the eligibility for funds, which details the amount of funding recoverable from the OLF, within ninety (90) calendar days. Simultaneously with the OLF Administrator or contracted agent advising the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider and parties to the cause, the OLF Administrator or contracted agent shall file the written Determination with the Commission's Court Clerk and post it to the Commission's website.

(f)   Any affected party may file a Request for Reconsideration within fifteen (15) calendar days of the Determination being filed by the OLF Administrator, by following the procedures in OAC 165:59-3-72.

(g)   Any Request for Reconsideration will be processed using the provisions set forth in OAC 165:59-3-72.

(h)   The OLF Administrator or contracted agent shall ensure that all OLF funds have been received and are on deposit in a sufficient manner so as to pay requests for OLF Funding in accordance with the Oklahoma Telecommunications Act and this Chapter. The OLF Administrator or contracted agent shall provide the approved funding to the requesting eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider, consistent with the procedures in O.A.C 165:59-3-68.

(i)   Any request for funds from the OLF will be returned to the requesting party and deemed denied if the appropriate forms are not used or said forms are not completed in a satisfactory manner.

[Source: Added at 15 Ok Reg 1195, eff 1-6-98 (emergency); Added at 15 Ok Reg 1915, eff 7-1-98; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 2255, eff 7-25-11; Amended at 34 Ok Reg 5, eff 8-12-16 (emergency); Amended at 34 Ok Reg 1011, eff 9-11-17]