The Missouri Universal Service Board was created by Missouri Revised Statute 392.248 and was charged with establishing a Universal Service Fund ("the Fund") to provide financial assistance to Missouri's low-income and disabled telecommunications consumers. The Fund is governed by the Missouri Universal Service Board pursuant to the rules of the Missouri Department of Economic Development at 4 CSR 240-31. All telecommunications carriers regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission (with the exception of STS providers, payphone providers and carriers with de minimus intrastate revenues) contribute to the fund consistent with the level of their intrastate regulated revenues. Likewise, those same carriers are allowed to withdraw monies to fund telecommunications services they provide to qualified low income and disabled consumers (follow this link for a self-certification form if you believe you may qualify for assistance from the fund).

QSI Consulting, Inc. ("QSI") was contracted by the Missouri Universal Service Board in 2004 to assist in developing and managing the Fund. In this role QSI manages all of the Fund's receipts and disbursements, undertakes educational initiatives to ensure robust participation amongst Missouri's qualified consumers and works closely with the Missouri Universal Service Board , the Missouri Public Service Commission and the Missouri Office of Public Counsel in pursuing the underlying goals of affordable telecommunications services for all Missouri citizens.