PSC 160.063(1)(1) Funding may be available to fund projects to increase participation of the eligible populations in the universal service fund low-income support programs.

PSC 160.063(2)(2) Funding from the universal service fund for projects under sub. (1) may not exceed $250,000 in one year. Funding shall be limited to not more than 6 projects with at least one project focused statewide and one project focused on the Milwaukee area, if feasible.

PSC 160.063(3)(3) The commission may periodically review applications and grant funding, when funding is available, based on complete responses to a request for applications. An application may involve disbursement of support during multiple state fiscal years. All applications become public documents upon filing.

PSC 160.063(3m)(a)(a) A description of the proposed project.

PSC 160.063(3m)(b)(b) The name and a description of any project partners and the role of each partner.

PSC 160.063(3m)(c)(c) A description of the proposed activities and an explanation of how those activities may increase participation of eligible populations in the universal service fund low-income support programs.

PSC 160.063(3m)(d)(d) A budget showing a breakdown of costs and how a grant under this section would be used.

PSC 160.063(3m)(e)(e) Any other information that the commission considers necessary.

PSC 160.063(4)(4) The commission may authorize funding to conduct or contract for an evaluation of the effectiveness of this program in promoting enrollment in low-income programs and subscribership to telecommunications service. This evaluation shall be completed within 2 years of the date on which the commission grants the project funding. The cost of this evaluation shall not exceed $25,000. This $25,000 shall be included as part of the $250,000 maximum total funding available under this section during the year in which the evaluation occurs.

PSC 160.071(1)(a)(a) A person with a disability may determine whether that disability presents a barrier to use of telecommunications services, or equipment, or both. That person shall determine what accommodations are needed to ensure effective telecommunications access.

PSC 160.071(1)(b)(b) When a provider, the fund administrator, a vendor, or the commission has sound reason to question the self-certification of a customer under par. (a), additional verification of disability, such as an appropriate medical professional’s written diagnosis and description of physical limitations and special needs resulting from that diagnosis, may be required for certification of special telecommunications needs. An appropriate medical professional is one who is qualified to make such a diagnosis and provide such a description.

PSC 160.071(1m)(a)(a) Definitions. In this subsection:

PSC 160.071(1m)(a)1.1. “Cognitive impairment” means a condition that limits every day practical skills and involves significant difficulty with memory, information processing, executive functions, or some combination thereof.

PSC 160.071(1m)(a)2.2. “Disability” means a physical, cognitive, or sensory impairment that limits or curtails an individual’s ability to use telecommunications services or equipment, or both.

PSC 160.071(1m)(am)(am) The universal service fund administrator shall make vouchers available to assist customers with a disability who have special telecommunications needs certification under s. PSC 160.071 (1) in the purchase of equipment needed to personally access and use essential services of the telecommunications network. A customer may not use a voucher to purchase equipment which will be used exclusively for commercial purposes.

PSC 160.071(1m)(b)(b) Vouchers shall be limited to the following amounts by category of disability:

PSC 160.071(1m)(c)(c) A voucher recipient under par. (b) 1. is not required to make a co-payment. All other voucher recipients are required to make a co-payment of $100 when the equipment is purchased. Under par. (f), for certain low income customers the co-payment may be supplied by funding through the telecommunications assistance program administered by the Wisconsin department of health services under s. 46.297, Stats., and ch. DHS 78. For certain low-income customers in the categories under par. (b) 3. and 4. the co-payment may be supplied by the universal service fund if the customer provides a medical professional’s statement confirming the need for telecommunications equipment available under this section and if the customer certifies that he or she would meet the income requirements of the telecommunications assistance program.