Glossary of Terms

Terms	Program	Definitions
497 Officer	Lifeline	A service provider officer responsible for filing and certifying Lifeline reimbursement claims. The 497 Officer is also responsible for creating and assigning an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Administrator account in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD).
498 Company Officer	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	The officer of a service provider company who is authorized to certify that data set forth in the FCC Form 498 is true, accurate, and complete. The 498 Company Officer has access to certify forms through USAC’s E-File system and occupies a position specified in the company’s corporate by-laws (or partnership agreement): typically, president, vice president of operations, vice president of finance, CFO, comptroller, treasurer, or a comparable position. If the reporting entity is a sole proprietorship, the owner must serve as the certifier.
498 ID/Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	A unique nine-digit number that USAC assigns to a service provider once that service provider has submitted the FCC Form 498 to USAC. Every service provider is required to have a 498 ID/SPIN to participate in any of the four universal service programs and receive payments from USAC. E-Rate program applicants who select the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) invoicing process also need to complete an FCC Form 498 and will receive an applicant 498 ID.
Administrator’s Decision Letter (ADL)	Lifeline	See Appeal Decision Letter.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)	USAC General, Lifeline	An FCC program that made internet connectivity more affordable for eligible low-income households during the COVID-19 pandemic. The $14 billion program provided households with a monthly internet service discount and a one-time discount on internet-connected devices. The ACP, which supplanted the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) in 2021, ended in June 2024 due to a lack of additional funding by Congress.
Appeal	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	A request to reconsider a USAC decision. Any party that wishes to appeal must first do so with USAC before filing an appeal with the FCC. Once USAC has made a decision on an appeal, the party may appeal USAC’s decision to the FCC. Parties seeking a waiver of FCC rules should file an appeal directly with the FCC because USAC cannot waive FCC rules. For more information, visit USAC’s Appeals page.
Appeal Packet of Information	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	The appeal and supporting documents submitted to USAC by the appellant.
Appeal Summary	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	A summary of the facts, logic and recommended decision about an appeal written by an Initial Reviewer at USAC. See also Initial Reviewer.
Appellant	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	The individual or entity filing an appeal of a USAC decision. To see where to send an appeal, visit USAC’s Appeals page.
Approved	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	The status that USAC designates to an FCC form that has been reviewed and found to be compliant with FCC program rules and/or USAC standards.
Audit	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	An examination of documentation and resources that verify the state of compliance with program rules. USAC conducts audits through the Beneficiary and Contributor Audit (BCAP) and Supply Chain Audit Program (SCAP) programs in accordance with the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.
Beneficiary and Contributor Audit Program (BCAP)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	An audit program through which USAC confirms program compliance and the amounts of recoverable funds among universal service beneficiaries and contributors. BCAP audits may be performed by USAC’s internal audit staff or a firm under contract to USAC. For more details, visit USAC’s BCAP webpage.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	The general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by federal government agencies and executive branch departments. Telecommunications rules are located in Title 47 of the CFR. For specific language, see a digital version of the CFR.
Collections Team	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	The team within USAC’s Accounting department responsible for recovering funds.
Commission	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	A common abbreviation for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). See also FCC.
Companies Near Me Tool	Lifeline	A tool that allows consumers to find a list of participating Lifeline providers in their area using their zip code or city and state. Available at https://cnm.universalservice.org/.
Consolidated Post Audit Tracking System (CPATS)	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	A central repository used by USAC’s audit teams to administer workflows across divisions.
Demand Payment Letter (DPL) [Lifeline]	Lifeline	A request for payment sent to an applicant or responsible party for outstanding ACP overpayments. The DPL notifies the applicant that the outstanding balance detailed in the letter must be paid in CORES within 30 days of the date of the DPL.
Denied	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	The status that USAC designates to an FCC form that has been reviewed and found not to be compliant with FCC program rules and/or USAC standards.
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	A designation given to telecommunications service providers by their state public utility commissions or the FCC, enabling them to participate in universal service programs.
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Administrator	Lifeline	An NLAD user account type that is responsible for creating and managing subaccounts (these do not include the 497 Officer) for all users within their company. The ETC Administrator can perform subscriber transactions, query subscriber data, and view reports in NLAD. This account type also has access to the National Verifier to check consumer eligibility.
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Agent	Lifeline	A National Verifier user account type that can check consumer eligibility but does not have NLAD access.
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Analyst	Lifeline	An NLAD user account type that can perform subscriber transactions, query subscriber data, and view reports in NLAD. This account type also has access to the National Verifier to check consumer eligibility.
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Operations	Lifeline	An NLAD user account type that can query subscriber data, submit resolution requests, and create and view reports. This account type also has access to the National Verifier to check consumer eligibility.
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP)	USAC General, Lifeline	A 2021 FCC program that provided eligible low-income households with a monthly internet service discount and a one-time connected-device discount. The $3.2 billion program, which aimed to help Americans stay connected to work, learning, and healthcare opportunities in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, was replaced by the larger Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

497 Officer

Lifeline

A service provider officer responsible for filing and certifying Lifeline reimbursement claims. The 497 Officer is also responsible for creating and assigning an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Administrator account in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD).

498 Company Officer

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

The officer of a service provider company who is authorized to certify that data set forth in the FCC Form 498 is true, accurate, and complete. The 498 Company Officer has access to certify forms through USAC’s E-File system and occupies a position specified in the company’s corporate by-laws (or partnership agreement): typically, president, vice president of operations, vice president of finance, CFO, comptroller, treasurer, or a comparable position. If the reporting entity is a sole proprietorship, the owner must serve as the certifier.

498 ID/Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A unique nine-digit number that USAC assigns to a service provider once that service provider has submitted the FCC Form 498 to USAC. Every service provider is required to have a 498 ID/SPIN to participate in any of the four universal service programs and receive payments from USAC. E-Rate program applicants who select the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) invoicing process also need to complete an FCC Form 498 and will receive an applicant 498 ID.

Administrator’s Decision Letter (ADL)

Lifeline

See Appeal Decision Letter.

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

USAC General, Lifeline

An FCC program that made internet connectivity more affordable for eligible low-income households during the COVID-19 pandemic. The $14 billion program provided households with a monthly internet service discount and a one-time discount on internet-connected devices. The ACP, which supplanted the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) in 2021, ended in June 2024 due to a lack of additional funding by Congress.

Appeal

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A request to reconsider a USAC decision. Any party that wishes to appeal must first do so with USAC before filing an appeal with the FCC. Once USAC has made a decision on an appeal, the party may appeal USAC’s decision to the FCC. Parties seeking a waiver of FCC rules should file an appeal directly with the FCC because USAC cannot waive FCC rules. For more information, visit USAC’s Appeals page.

Appeal Packet of Information

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

The appeal and supporting documents submitted to USAC by the appellant.

Appeal Summary

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

A summary of the facts, logic and recommended decision about an appeal written by an Initial Reviewer at USAC. See also Initial Reviewer.

Appellant

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

The individual or entity filing an appeal of a USAC decision. To see where to send an appeal, visit USAC’s Appeals page.

Approved

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

The status that USAC designates to an FCC form that has been reviewed and found to be compliant with FCC program rules and/or USAC standards.

Audit

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

An examination of documentation and resources that verify the state of compliance with program rules. USAC conducts audits through the Beneficiary and Contributor Audit (BCAP) and Supply Chain Audit Program (SCAP) programs in accordance with the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.

Beneficiary and Contributor Audit Program (BCAP)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

An audit program through which USAC confirms program compliance and the amounts of recoverable funds among universal service beneficiaries and contributors. BCAP audits may be performed by USAC’s internal audit staff or a firm under contract to USAC. For more details, visit USAC’s BCAP webpage.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

The general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by federal government agencies and executive branch departments. Telecommunications rules are located in Title 47 of the CFR. For specific language, see a digital version of the CFR.

Collections Team

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

The team within USAC’s Accounting department responsible for recovering funds.

Commission

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A common abbreviation for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). See also FCC.

Companies Near Me Tool

Lifeline

A tool that allows consumers to find a list of participating Lifeline providers in their area using their zip code or city and state. Available at https://cnm.universalservice.org/.

Consolidated Post Audit Tracking System (CPATS)

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

A central repository used by USAC’s audit teams to administer workflows across divisions.

Demand Payment Letter (DPL) [Lifeline]

Lifeline

A request for payment sent to an applicant or responsible party for outstanding ACP overpayments. The DPL notifies the applicant that the outstanding balance detailed in the letter must be paid in CORES within 30 days of the date of the DPL.

Denied

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

The status that USAC designates to an FCC form that has been reviewed and found not to be compliant with FCC program rules and/or USAC standards.

Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A designation given to telecommunications service providers by their state public utility commissions or the FCC, enabling them to participate in universal service programs.

Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Administrator

Lifeline

An NLAD user account type that is responsible for creating and managing subaccounts (these do not include the 497 Officer) for all users within their company. The ETC Administrator can perform subscriber transactions, query subscriber data, and view reports in NLAD. This account type also has access to the National Verifier to check consumer eligibility.

Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Agent

Lifeline

A National Verifier user account type that can check consumer eligibility but does not have NLAD access.

Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Analyst

Lifeline

An NLAD user account type that can perform subscriber transactions, query subscriber data, and view reports in NLAD. This account type also has access to the National Verifier to check consumer eligibility.

Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Operations

Lifeline

An NLAD user account type that can query subscriber data, submit resolution requests, and create and view reports. This account type also has access to the National Verifier to check consumer eligibility.

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP)

USAC General, Lifeline

A 2021 FCC program that provided eligible low-income households with a monthly internet service discount and a one-time connected-device discount. The $3.2 billion program, which aimed to help Americans stay connected to work, learning, and healthcare opportunities in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, was replaced by the larger Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

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