Common Transactions in NLAD

Enrolling Subscribers

Service providers must enroll subscribers in NLAD in order to be able to claim reimbursement for ACP discounts passed through to those subscribers.

To enroll subscribers, users with the appropriate NLAD user accounts can upload files containing batches of subscriber data. Service providers with API systems can connect their customer management systems to the NLAD API.

In all cases, enrollment will only be successful if subscribers 1) have qualified through the National Verifier or a FCC-approved eligibility process and 2) are not already receiving a benefit. After entering subscriber data but before completing enrollment, providers have the option to verify that subscribers do not have potential enrollment errors or issues.

Watch a recording of our NLAD Get Started Webinar for an NLAD enrollment walkthrough, or log in to NLAD through One Portal to start enrolling subscribers.

Enroll Subscribers Using a Batch File

Service providers can use our batch file to upload large batches of subscriber data. Visit our NLAD batch file page to learn more, or read one of the following guides or resource documents:

• Uploading an ACP Subscriber File
• List of Subscriber File Field Descriptions
• List of NLAD Error Descriptions

Enroll Subscribers Using an API

Service providers can enable an Application Programming Interface (API), which connects their billing or customer management system directly to NLAD so that their system can send enrollments or other transactions and pull reports automatically.

The use of an API is optional and at the service provider’s discretion. To use an NLAD API, service providers must have a signed Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA) with USAC.

Please refer to the NV API specifications document for more information on the specific constructs available for testing. The ACP NLAD API specs are available in NLAD via the “Tools and Resources” page.

Benefit Qualifying Person

Many subscribers will be eligible through a Benefit Qualifying Person (BQP)—a child or dependent who meets one of the ACP eligibility requirements. In NLAD, service providers must enter the BQP’s information (e.g., a child who is approved to participate in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program) as well as the information of the primary subscriber (e.g., their parent). The ACP benefit is limited to one benefit-per-household, and a single BQP cannot be used to qualify multiple households for the program.

When manually entering subscriber data, the BQP fields are optional fields. Leave them blank if there is no BQP or if you are performing the enrollment using application ID.

Identity Verification

In the ACP, consumers can choose how they will prove their identity – using the last four digits of their social security number (SSN4), their Tribal ID or by submitting identity documents. If the consumer did not provide their SSN4 or Tribal ID, service providers should use 0000 (four zeros) in the SSN4 field at the time of enrollment.

Service providers who use an alternative verification process must review and retain copies of identity documentation for consumers who choose to prove their identity that way.

Enter Consumer Data in NLAD

When enrolling existing Lifeline consumers or consumers who qualified using the National Verifier, service providers generally must enter the consumer’s personally identifiable information (PII) exactly as it appears in the National Verifier (or in NLAD for existing Lifeline consumers). The most common errors are mismatched name (e.g., Thomas vs Tom) or mismatched addresses (e.g., 123 Main Rd. vs 123 Main St). Service providers can ask consumers to review the information they entered in the National Verifier by logging into their consumer portal accounts and confirming the information submitted.

If the PII entered in NLAD for enrollment or verify calls does not match the information submitted to National Verifier, service providers will receive a “Verification Failed” error that says the consumer has not qualified through the National Verifier or their application has expired. Service providers can correct this error by updating the consumer’s PII to match the information in the National Verifier.

Service providers can reduce matching issues by enrolling a consumer using their application ID.

Transfer Consumers in NLAD

To learn more about transferring ACP consumers visit our Transfer Consumers in NLAD page.

Perform Transactions Using a National Verifier Application ID

ACP service providers can perform enroll, verify, and transfer functions using a consumer’s National Verifier application ID, full name, and date of birth.

Service providers can access this functionality by uploading the updated NLAD batch upload template through the NLAD batch upload process. Service providers who connect to NLAD using an API can access updated API specs in the NLAD resources section.

Service providers who choose not to enroll, verify, or transfer consumers using the application ID functionality can use the original batch upload template or the new template.

When enrolling, verifying, or transferring consumers in NLAD using the Application ID, service providers should complete the following fields:

• applicationID
• transactionType
• transactionEffectiveDate
• sac
• lastName
• firstName
• phoneNumber OR consumerEmail
• dob
• serviceType
• mailing address (if applicable)
• serviceInitializationDate
• ebbpTribalBenefitFlag
• deviceReimbursementDate (if applicable)
• deviceType (if applicable)
• devicemake (if applicable)
• certind
• repid OR repNotAssisted

Only consumers who have an active, qualified ACP or Lifeline application in the National Verifier can be enrolled, verified, or transferred using the application ID function.

Check Application Status Tool

The Check Application Status tool assists service providers in determining a prospective consumer’s application status in the National Verifier.

The tool is available in the National Verifier service provider portal, on the provider’s home page. It can be used to confirm the status of a prospective consumer’s Lifeline or EBB Program application.

To sign into the NV service provider portal, please go to nv.fcc.gov/lifeline and click “Sign In as a Service Provider.”

To check an application status, a service provider will need to provide the consumer’s:

1. Application ID
2. First and Last Name
3. Date of Birth

If an application is found, the National Verifier will return additional information from the consumer which can be used to enroll them into NLAD. This information includes the consumer’s:

1. Qualifying status and whether they are eligible to be enrolled for the ACP
2. Application expiration date
3. Whether the consumer provided their last 4 digits of their SSN, or if they provided alternate identification
4. Whether the consumer applied with a child/dependent, also known as a benefit qualifying person (BQP)
5. Full address to be used for enrollment

Service providers can obtain access to the National Verifier service provider portal through their NLAD account. To request an NLAD account, users can request their account be created by their company’s ETC Administrator in NLAD. Each of the following user roles in NLAD will be able to access the NV portal:

• ETC Administrator
• ETC Analyst
• ETC Operations
• ETC Agent