PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE MOORE UNIVERSAL TELEPHONE SERVICE ACT - GENERAL ORDER

Sep 19, 2026

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General Order 153-A sets procedures for administering California’s Moore Universal Telephone Service Act, also known as the California Lifeline Program. It states the order’s intent to provide low-income households access to affordable basic residential telephone service, defines applicability to providers and eligible residential customers, and describes optional participation by non-traditional providers such as wireless, VoIP, and internet service providers. The order also explains program support through a prescribed Specific Support Amount (SSA) and notes coordination with federal Lifeline support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages59

Reading Time21 min

AccessFree to download

1. GENERAL

1.1 Intent

1.2 Applicability

1.3 Participation by Non-Traditional Providers

1.4 Support Amount (SSA) and Federal Coordination

1.5 Appendices

2. DEFINITIONS

2.1 Anniversary Date

2.2 Annual LifeLine Notice

2.3 Applicant

2.4 Application Date

2.5 Application Form

2.6 Application Process

2.7 Basic Residential Telephone Service

2.8 Business Day

2.9 California High Cost Fund B (CHCF-B)

2.10 California LifeLine Administrator

2.11 California LifeLine Program

2.12 California LifeLine Service

2.13 California LifeLine Service Provider

2.14 Carrier

FILED 06/02/26 10:16 AMR2511005 Attachment B GENERAL ORDER 153-A Public Utilities Commission of the State of California PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE MOORE UNIVERSAL TELEPHONE SERVICE ACT (CALIFORNIA LIFELINE PROGRAM) GENERAL ORDER Adopted November 7, 1984; Effective November 7, 1984; D.84-11-028 Amended February 21, 2002; Effective February 21, 2002; Res. T-16591 Amended December 1, 2005; Effective July 1, 2006; D.05-12-013 and Res. T-16996 Amended August 21, 2008; Effective April 16, 2009; D.08-08-029 and Res. T-17202 Amended November 19, 2010; Effective July 18, 2011; D.10-11-033 and Res. T-17321 Amended September 23, 2021; Effective September 23, 2021; D.21-09-023 Superseded by GO 153-A; Effective November 20, 2025; D.25-11-008 1. GENERAL 1.1 Intent – The purpose of this General Order is to implement the Moore Universal Telephone Service Act [AB 1348, Ch. 1143, Stats. 1983, California Public Utilities Code §871 et seq.] . The Act is intended to provide low-income Households with access to affordable Basic Residential Telephone Service. 1.2 Applicability – This General Order is applicable to all California LifeLine Service Providers operating in California and to residential Customers eligible for California LifeLine furnished pursuant to the Moore Universal Telephone Service Act. 1.3 Participation in California LifeLine by Non-Traditional Providers (wireless, VoIP, Internet Service Providers, etc.) is optional. However, any Non-Traditional Provider that offers LifeLine (either California LifeLine or federal-only Lifeline) in California must comply with the rules established in this General Order. 1.4 The California LifeLine Program provides support to participating California LifeLine Service Providers through a Specific Support Amount (“SSA”) prescribed by the Commission that reduces the rate for eligible services purchased by LifeLine Subscribers. Where Subscribers also qualify for support through the federal Lifeline program, Subscribers may be eligible for further reduced rates based on both federal and state support, subject to certain limitations set forth in this General Order. Where Subscribers are not eligible for federal Lifeline support, Subscribers may continue to receive California LifeLine support, provided that they qualify for support under this General Order. 1.5 This General Order includes Appendices, identified as A-1, A-2, B, and C, respectively. The Appendices have the same weight as the text of the General Order. 2. DEFINITIONS 2.1 “Anniversary Date” –The Anniversary Date falls on the one-year anniversary ofthe LifeLine Subscriber’s Application Date and annually thereafter. 2.2 “Annual LifeLine Notice” – The written notice that each California LifeLine Service Provider annually sends to all of its residential Customers regarding the availability, terms, and conditions of California LifeLine. 2.3 “Applicant” – A new or existing voice service Customer who has requested California LifeLine Service and is undergoing the Application Process. 2.4 “Application Date” – The date a new or existing Customer ~~calls~~ submits his/her California LifeLine application requesting LifeLine Service. ~~Service Provider and requests LifeLine Service~~. The “Application Date” serves as the starting point for LifeLine discount back-credits once the California LifeLine Administrator determines eligibility and notifies the applicant’s California LifeLine Service Provider. 2.5 “Application Form” – The document sent by the California LifeLine Administrator to Applicants that they must fill out (either on paper or online) and return to the California LifeLine Administrator to be considered for California LifeLine eligibility. 2.6 “Application Process” – A process that an Applicant must undergo when applying to enroll in California LifeLine. 2.7 “Basic Residential Telephone Service,” "Basic Service" – A class of local telephone service, whose use is for dome

FAQs

What is the purpose of General Order 153-A?

It implements the Moore Universal Telephone Service Act to provide low-income households access to affordable basic residential telephone service.

Who must comply with this General Order?

California Lifeline service providers operating in California and residential customers eligible for California Lifeline under the Act must comply.

How does the program support eligible services?

The Commission prescribes a Specific Support Amount (SSA) that reduces rates for eligible services purchased by Lifeline subscribers, and further reduced rates may apply where federal Lifeline support also qualifies.

Sep 19, 2026

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