Reverification
Reverification is the one-time process to confirm that all subscribers enrolled in the Lifeline program through legacy processes (i.e., pre-National Verifier processes) meet the National Verifier’s eligibility standards.
USAC implemented reverification in state groups based on a state’s National Verifier launch group. Once a database check was completed, each reverification group proceeds through a two-part process to reverify subscribers that did not automatically pass the database check:
- Part One: Collect on-hand documentation from service providers (At this stage, service providers were not expected to collect documentation from subscribers).
- Part Two: Perform direct consumer outreach to collect documentation from subscribers.
Reverification Grouping
USAC is reverifying subscribers in four groups. Service providers may have subscribers in all or some of these groups.
Reverification grouping is based on which two-part process needs to be completed.
Most states are part of Group One and have completed Part One of the reverification process. Part Two has begun for Group One.
A summary of required action steps for each group are detailed below:
| Group | Location | Part One: SP Document Submission |
Part Two: USAC Consumer Outreach |
Service Provider Action Required |
| Group 1 | All states/territories (except PR, CA broadband only, FL, IL, MN, OH, and WI) | Complete | Complete | None |
| Group 2 | PR, CA broadband only, FL, IL, MN, OH, and WI | March 6 – May 5, 2024 | TBD | Collect and submit on-hand documentation |
| Group 3 | Select Study Area Codes (SAC): 489014 499011 499016 509014 499001 509002 459024 459001 |
December 6, 2023 – June 28, 2024 | NA | Collect on-hand documentation and conduct consumer outreach to obtain documentation. Submit documentation to USAC |
| Group 4 | All states/territories | N/A | Starts May 15, 2024 Ends between July 17- 19, 2024 |
None. USAC will notify service providers later in 2024 when more details are available |
- Group One: There is no required action. Reverification for this group is complete.
- Group Two: USAC resumed reverification for subscribers in Group Two. Starting March 6, service providers have 60 days to view the Reverification Subscriber Status Report in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD); review any failures; and gather and submit existing on-hand documentation to resolve the failure(s).
- Existing on-hand documentation will be accepted to resolve address, duplicate address, or identity failures. All on-hand documentation is due between March 6 and May 5, 2024.
- Note: Proof of life and eligibility documents must be current and valid. Service providers are not expected to have these documents on hand. USAC will perform outreach to consumers if these documents are needed.
- Group Three: Service providers review the Reverification Subscriber Status Report in NLAD to identify which consumers need to reverify, what failures are remaining, and review document requirements for those failures. Service providers collect on-hand documentation and outreach to consumers directly to collect documentation. All final documentation is due by June 28, 2024.
- Group Four: No action is required at this time. USAC will notify service providers later in 2024 when more details are available. All final documentation is due between July 17 – 19, 2024.
Providers should refer to the “Reverification Group” listed on the Reverification Subscriber Status Report in NLAD to identify the timeline for each subscriber.
De-Enrollments
De-enrollments will occur within 5 business days of a subscriber’s reverification due date. Service providers are encouraged to monitor the Reverification Subscriber Status Report.
Overview
The chart below provides a high-level overview of the reverification process.
Step 1: National Verifier Performs Automated Database Checks
Reverification utilizes several checks to verify a subscriber’s eligibility, identity, and address.
- Eligibility databases
- Third-Party Identity Verification (TPIV), including checking whether the subscriber is deceased
- USPS Address Matching Service (AMS)
- Data checks for duplicate benefits for the same address
Step 2: Service Providers Review Failures and Submit Existing Documentation
If the National Verifier cannot verify a subscriber’s eligibility through the database checks, service providers will be required to submit any available documentation they have on file for failed subscribers.
Once USAC makes an announcement opening the 60-day on-hand submission window, service providers will:
- Login to NLAD and pull the Reverification Subscriber Status Report. View Quick Reference Guide to assist with interpreting report data.
- Review the failures and gather any existing on-hand documentation that would resolve the failures.
- Existing on-hand documentation will be accepted to resolve address, identity, or duplicate address failures.
Note: Proof of life and eligibility documents must be current and valid. Service providers are not expected to have these documents on-hand. USAC will perform outreach to consumers if these documents are needed.
| Failure | Failure Description (Y/N) |
Documentation Required to Resolve Failure |
| Data Source Check Fail | Y = Subscriber failed the eligibility check | Proof of program or income eligibility (must have an issue date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date and requires submission of a new Lifeline application) |
| TPIV DOB Failure | Y = Subscriber failed third-party identity verification | Proof of date of birth |
| TPIV SSN Failure | Y = Subscriber failed third-party identity verification | Proof of last four digits of SSN or Tribal ID number |
| TPIV Not Found Failure | Y = Subscriber failed third-party identity verification | Proof of identity |
| TPIV Deceased Failure | Y = Subscriber failed deceased check | Proof of life (must have an issue date within last 3 months) |
| AMS Failure | Y = Subscriber failed AMS validation | Proof of address |
| Duplicate Address Failure | Y = Subscriber failed duplicate address validation | Lifeline Household Worksheet |
| Cert Form Required | Y = Certification form must be submitted for review | Current Lifeline Application Form |
For more information on acceptable documentation, visit the Resolve Application Errors page.
- Send the documents to USAC within 60 days after USAC’s on-hand document submission announcement.
Documentation Submission Options
Service providers have two options to submit on hand documentation – online and via mail.
To streamline the documentation submission process, USAC released an online option on March 6, 2024, enabling service providers to also submit documents digitally.
Upload documents using secure webpage
Service providers must adhere to the online submission process to ensure the documents are successfully submitted. Documents that are not formatted properly will not be processed.
Mail paper documents
Ensure mail is postmarked by day 60 of your submission deadline and includes a Reverification Cover Sheet for each subscriber in the submission. A Reverification Cover Sheet must include completed “Application ID” and “Last Name” fields and should be used to create separation between each subscriber’s documentation (do not staple or paper clip).
Mail Items to:
Lifeline Support Center
PO Box 9100
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773-9100
Step 3: Outreach to Subscribers to Collect New Documentation
If the National Verifier cannot verify a subscriber’s eligibility through the database checks, or from the documentation provided by the service provider, USAC will reach out to subscribers to collect documentation for unresolved errors.
Subscribers will receive a letter from USAC requesting the documentation needed to reverify their eligibility in Lifeline. The letter will provide details on what documentation is needed and how they can submit it to USAC. They will be required to submit documentation within 60 days.
Step 4: National Verifier Determines Eligibility for Subscribers
USAC will review all of the documentation collected, whether the service provider or USAC conducted the subscriber outreach.
- Subscribers that successfully complete reverification will keep their Lifeline benefit. No further action is required until they are required to recertify their eligibility.
- USAC will de-enroll subscribers that fail reverification from NLAD and mail a de-enrollment notice.
After the reverification process is complete, the Failed Reverification De-Enroll Report in NLAD will show which subscribers failed the reverification process and that USAC has de-enrolled.
USAC Communications
USAC will make several announcements (via email and the USAC website) regarding the reverification process and window openings.
- On-hand Documentation Submission: Opens the 45-day window for service providers to provide on-hand documentation to USAC.
- Reminders: Notifications to service providers reminding them of upcoming document submission deadlines.
- Outreach to Subscribers: USAC will notify service providers when outreach is conducted to subscribers who require additional documentation to complete reverification. Subscribers will be given 60 days to respond with the documentation.
Service providers may reach out to their subscribers before USAC begins outreach to subscribers to inform them about USAC and the reverification process. Correspondence may include:
- General information about USAC and the requirement to reverify their eligibility to keep their benefits.
- USAC will reach out to them and request personal documentation from them.
- If they do not respond with the needed documentation within the 60-day window, they will lose their Lifeline benefit.
Service providers should not tell subscribers timeframes of when they should expect to receive these letters as these dates are subject to change.