On September 3, 2020, the Wireline Competition Bureau released an Order extending the waiver of the E-rate and Rural Health Care (RHC) program’s gift rules through December 31, 2020. In addition, the Commission instructed USAC to “give an additional 30 days to E-Rate program participants that request extensions to respond to: information requests issued through December 31, 2020…related to pending USAC appeals; invoices; FCC Form 500 (Funding Commitment Adjustment Request Form) requests; audits, including Beneficiary and Contributor Audit Program (BCAP) and Payment Quality Assurance (PQA) audits; and PIA requests.”
Citing “unprecedented disruptions across the country” due to COVID-19, the extension of the waivers furthers the relief granted to applicants so that they may “concentrate their attention” on their pandemic response. The waivers were initially set to expire on September 30, 2020.
The Order may be viewed here.
