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Announcements

Announcements

May 14, 2025
FCC Form 481 Due by July 1, 2025

All service providers participating in the Lifeline and/or High Cost programs must file and certify the FCC Form 481 on an annual basis. This form collects financial and operational information, which USAC uses to validate service provider support. The filing window is now open and service providers can log into One Portal to access and certify the FCC Form 481. Filings are due by July 1, 2025.

USAC’s High Cost team will host a webinar on May 20th at 1 p.m. ET where service providers can learn more about how to file an FCC Form 481 and changes to the form for the current filing window. For more information on the filing process, please visit our File FCC Form 481 page.

May 14, 2025
May Monthly Maintenance Reminder

Monthly System Maintenance, May 16

USAC will perform scheduled monthly maintenance starting Friday, May 16 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET on Saturday, May 17. 

The production environments of the following systems are impacted: 

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API
  • National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD)
  • Lifeline Claims System (LCS)
  • Representative Accountability Database (RAD)
  • Affordable Connectivity Claims System (ACCS)

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Note: All scheduled maintenance dates for NV and NLAD are available on the USAC website.

April 30, 2025
April Lifeline Newsletter
  • New Continued Eligibility Status Report in NLAD
  • New Lifeline Benefit Flyers
  • Lifeline Program Compliance Reminder: Advertise Lifeline
  • May 2025 Monthly Webinar: Getting Started as a New Company
  • May Maintenance Schedule

View full newsletter

April 24, 2025
Updated Lifeline Income Qualifications for 2025

USAC has updated its forms, systems, and resources to reflect the 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines which were released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) earlier this year. Consumers qualify for the Lifeline benefit if their income is at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Service providers may review the following pages for more information:

Service providers should update their forms and systems as soon as possible to reflect this update. Providers operating in National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) opt-out states (California, Oregon, and Texas) should follow their state’s guidance.

April 17, 2025
New Continued Eligibility Status Report in NLAD

On May 21, USAC will implement a new updated, streamlined, and unified Continued Eligibility Status Report in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) production environment. Part of these changes include a new error code and updated description type. The new report will be available for service providers to test in the staging environment on April 23. 

To support this enhancement, API parameters will be updated, but the API endpoint will remain unchanged. 

Report Updates

New Error Code 
INVALID_STATUS_PARAMETER_CE: The status must be one or all of the following values: confirmed, inprogress, deenrolled, all.

Updated Description for Continued Eligibility Type Error Code
INVALID_TYPE_PARAMETER_CE: The type must be one of the following values: addressUpdate, deceasedCheck, adhoc

API Parameters
The API parameters for the report have been updated to the following:

  • sac – Optional, but one or more SACs can be provided. If no SAC is provided, results for all SACs assigned to that user will be returned in the report. 
  • ceType – Optional, but can be one or all of the following: addressupdate, deceasedcheck, adhoc. If no value is provided, then all ceTypes will be returned in the report.1.
  • status – Optional, but can be one of the following: confirmed, inprogress, deenrolled, all. If no value is provided, all statuses will be returned in the report.
  • continuedEligibilityStartDate – Optional, but if no date is provided all subscribers who have undergone and are undergoing continued eligibility will appear in the results.

Status

The report has been reduced to three statuses to show where a subscriber is in the continued eligibility process. These are shown in the “Continued Eligibility Status” field. 

  • Confirmed Eligibility – The subscriber successfully completed continued eligibility. 
  • In Progress – The subscriber is undergoing continued eligibility and must resolve an error on their application.
    • If a subscriber de-enrolls or transfers while in this status, the subscriber will be removed from the report. If a subscriber is re-enrolled in NLAD after being de-enrolled they will no longer show on the report.
  • De-enrolled – Eligibility Not Confirmed – The subscriber was de-enrolled for not completing/failing continued eligibility.

Report Fields

A summary of certain fields within the report is listed below:

Continued Eligibility Type: shows the specific continued eligibility process the subscriber is undergoing:

  • Deceased Check
  • Address Update
  • Adhoc (initiated by USAC)

Continued Eligibility Start Date: the date that the continued eligibility application was created in the National Verifier. 

Continued Eligibility Deadline Date: the date that the continued eligibility application expires. The subscriber must complete continued eligibility by this date to avoid being de-enrolled from the program.

Eligibility Resolution Required: shows if a subscriber will need to provide documentation to complete continued eligibility.

  • If this field says “Yes”, the subscriber will need to provide eligibility documentation
  • If this field says “No”, the subscriber is not required to provide eligibility documentation

The new Continued Eligibility Status Report will not show Safe Connections Act (SCA) subscribers undergoing continued eligibility. These subscribers will still be shown in the SCA Subscriber Status Report. For any questions related to the enhancement, please contact LifelineProgram@usac.org. 

April 16, 2025
April Monthly Maintenance Reminder

Monthly System Maintenance, April 18

USAC will perform scheduled monthly maintenance starting Friday, April 18 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET on Saturday, April 19. 

The production environments of the following systems are impacted: 

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API
  • National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD)
  • Lifeline Claims System (LCS)
  • Representative Accountability Database (RAD)
  • Affordable Connectivity Claims System (ACCS)

Ad-hoc System Maintenance, April 24

USAC will also perform an ad-hoc system maintenance on Thursday, April 24, from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET.

The production environments of the following systems are impacted: 

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API
  • National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD)
  • Representative Accountability Database (RAD)

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Note: All scheduled maintenance dates for NV and NLAD are available on the USAC website.

April 10, 2025
Scheduled Maintenance on USAC.org

USAC will perform scheduled maintenance on USAC.org on Thursday, April 17 from 9 p.m. – midnight. During this time, users may experience disruptions or outages when visiting USAC.org. We apologize for the inconvenience.

April 9, 2025
April System Notice

Ad-Hoc System Maintenance, April 11

USAC will perform an ad-hoc system maintenance on Friday, April 11 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. ET.
The production environments for the below systems will be impacted:

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API

Users will not be able to submit applications via the National Verifier Portal or National Verifier Carrier API. Additionally, NLAD functions that require the National Verifier will also be affected (e.g., enroll or transfer transactions).
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Note: All scheduled maintenance dates for National Lifeline Accountability Database and National Verifier are available on the USAC website.

March 27, 2025
March Lifeline Newsletter
  • Disaster Assistance Waiver Applications Ending Soon
  • Lifeline Benefit: Key Differences Between Standard and Survivor Support
  • Lifeline Program Compliance Reminder: Obtaining Consent and Consumer Certifications
  • April Webinar: How to Apply for Lifeline
  • April Maintenance Schedule

View full newsletter

March 26, 2025
March Monthly Maintenance Reminder

NLAD System Maintenance 

USAC will perform scheduled monthly maintenance for NLAD starting Friday, March 28 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 29.

The production environments of the following systems are impacted:

  • National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD)
  • Lifeline Claims System (LCS)
  • Representative Accountability Database (RAD)
  • Affordable Connectivity Claims System (ACCS)

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Note: All scheduled maintenance dates for NV and NLAD are available on the USAC website.

March 20, 2025
March Monthly Maintenance Reminder

National Verifier System Maintenance 

USAC will perform scheduled monthly maintenance starting Friday, March 21 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 22. 

The production environments of the following systems are impacted: 

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API

National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) functions that require the National Verifier will also be affected (e.g., enroll or transfer transactions). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Note: All scheduled maintenance dates for NV and NLAD are available on the USAC website.

March 12, 2025
Ad-hoc System Maintenance, March 13

USAC will perform an ad-hoc system maintenance starting on Thursday, March 13, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

Users may experience intermittent performance issues with the following systems:

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API

The staging environments will not be affected. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Note: All scheduled maintenance dates for National Lifeline Accountability Database and National Verifier are available on the USAC website.

February 27, 2025
February Lifeline Newsletter
  • 2025 Recertification Is Ongoing
  • California Wildfires Waiver Expiring Soon
  • Lifeline Program Compliance Reminder: Keep NLAD Up to Date
  • March Webinar: Navigating USAC Systems
  • March Maintenance Schedule

View full newsletter

February 19, 2025
February Monthly Maintenance Reminder

Monthly System Maintenance, February 21

USAC will perform scheduled monthly maintenance starting Friday, February 21 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET on Saturday, February 22. 

The production environments of the following systems are impacted: 

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API
  • National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD)
  • Lifeline Claims System (LCS)
  • Representative Accountability Database (RAD)
  • Affordable Connectivity Claims System (ACCS)

Ad-hoc System Maintenance, February 25

USAC will perform an ad-hoc system maintenance on Tuesday, February 25, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

Users may experience intermittent performance issues with the following systems:

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API

NLAD functions that require the National Verifier will also be affected (e.g., enroll or transfer transactions). 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Note: All scheduled maintenance dates for NV and NLAD are available on the USAC website.

February 12, 2025
Access and Transaction Issues in Lifeline Systems Update

USAC is aware that some users have encountered difficulties accessing and conducting transactions in certain Lifeline systems—including the service provider portal, National Verifier API, and the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD)—since February 10 at approximately 8:45 p.m. ET. As of now, all systems are operational, and some users can successfully access and complete transactions. USAC is actively working to restore full access and will directly reach out to any remaining affected users today with guidance on resolving the issue. 
  
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. 

February 11, 2025
Access and Transaction Issues in Lifeline Systems Update

At this time USAC has restored access for some users; however, certain users may still experience difficulties accessing and performing transactions in certain Lifeline systems, including using the service provider portal, performing National Verifier transactions via API and National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) transactions.

USAC continues to actively work on a resolution. We apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing.

February 11, 2025
Access and Transaction Issues in Lifeline Systems

USAC is aware that users may be experiencing difficulties accessing and performing transactions in certain Lifeline systems, including using the service provider portal, performing National Verifier transactions via API, performing National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) transactions, and accessing the Representative Accountability Database (RAD). The issues began on February 10, 2025, around 8:45 p.m. ET. 

USAC is actively working on a resolution. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

February 4, 2025
Ad-hoc System Maintenance, February 4

USAC will perform an ad-hoc system maintenance starting today, Tuesday, February 4, from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m. ET.

Users may experience intermittent performance issues with the following systems:

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API

The staging environments will not be affected. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Note: All scheduled maintenance dates for the National Lifeline Accountability Database and National Verifier are available on the USAC website.

February 4, 2025
Recertification Begins February 13, 2025

Recertification is an annual requirement for all active Lifeline subscribers that ensures they are still eligible for the benefit.

Beginning on Thursday, February 13, 2025, USAC will initiate automated eligibility database checks to verify the eligibility of Lifeline subscribers who are due for recertification. Database checks will be run daily throughout the year.

What This Means for Subscribers

  • Subscribers Who Pass the Automated Check: No action is required for their 2025 recertification.
  • Subscribers Who Fail the Automated Check: These subscribers will need to manually recertify their continued eligibility. USAC will send outreach either by email or mail with further instructions on how to complete the process.

Starting February 13th, USAC will conduct outreach to subscribers who fail the automated eligibility checks. Subscribers will have an approximately 60-day window to recertify through a manual process.

If a subscriber receives a letter in the mail from USAC, they must take action to recertify their benefit. They will need to complete the Lifeline Recertification Form (English or Spanish). In some cases, subscribers may need to provide additional income or eligibility documentation. USAC will notify subscribers if this is required.

What This Means for Service Providers
Service providers should regularly monitor the Recertification Subscriber Status Report in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) to identify subscribers undergoing recertification. This report is updated daily to reflect automated check results.

Service providers are encouraged to educate their subscribers about USAC and the recertification process. However, service providers should avoid providing or estimating deadlines, as these are subject to change.

Training and Resources
USAC will host office hours for service providers on Recertification on February 26. Providers can also visit USAC’s Recertification page to learn more.

February 3, 2025
Lifeline Claims System Transaction Issues Resolved

USAC is aware that users experienced difficulties performing transactions in the Lifeline Claims System (LCS), including filing claims, since February 1, 2025. The issue was resolved on February 3, 2025, at approximately 9:45 a.m. ET, and all transactions, including claim filings, can now be completed as usual.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

January 30, 2025
January Lifeline Newsletter
  • Relief to Lifeline Participants Affected by the California Wildfires
  • FCC Form 555 Submission Window Closing Soon
  • Lifeline Program Compliance Reminder: One Benefit Per Household
  • February Webinar: How to Manage Lifeline Benefit
  • February Maintenance Schedule

View full newsletter

January 22, 2025
Relief to Lifeline Participants Affected by the California Wildfires

On January 16, 2025, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an Order that temporarily waives the annual recertification requirements and de-enrollment for failed recertification under the Lifeline rules for households receiving broadband-only Lifeline service in Affected Disaster Areas. “Affected Disaster Areas” are defined as areas covered by the California Wildfires Event Declarations and any other Emergency Declarations or Major Disaster Declarations pertaining to the wildfires, including declarations issued related to these recent California Wildfires after release of this Order. If USAC has already conducted recertification outreach, USAC will not conduct de-enrollments for any subscriber who would have been de-enrolled, and was not actually de-enrolled, after January 13, 2025.

The waiver period under this order is through March 17, 2025. After this period, USAC will resume recertification efforts. 

WCB also encourages the California Public Utilities (CPUC) to implement similar relief under the terms of this waiver for other Lifeline services that are not administered by USAC (qualifying bundled and voice-only services). As a reminder, California is an opt-out state, where USAC administers a broadband-only benefit. Visit the Lifeline opt-out states page for more information. 

January 22, 2025
Reminder: FCC Form 555 Due January 31, 2025

The 2024 FCC Form 555 (Annual Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Certification Form) is now available for completion in One Portal and is due on Friday, January 31, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. ET. This form is used for the annual recertification process and non-usage reporting for the Lifeline program. It must be submitted electronically to USAC via USAC’s One Portal. 

Service providers should reference the resources below for guidance on how to complete the form: 

If providers need assistance with their One Portal account, they can email CustomerSupport@usac.org. 

Providers that have already completed the filing can disregard this reminder.

December 30, 2024
December Lifeline Newsletter
  • Reminder: Updated Minimum Service Standards Effective December 1, 2024
  • Reminder: FCC Form 555 Due January 31, 2025
  • Survivor Benefit: Helping Survivors Stay Connected
  • Support Center: Closed for New Year Day
  • Lifeline Program Compliance Reminder: Minimum Service Standards
  • January Webinar: How to Apply for Survivors
  • January Maintenance Schedule

View full newsletter

December 18, 2024
December Monthly Maintenance Reminder

National Verifier System Maintenance

USAC will perform scheduled monthly maintenance starting Friday, December 20 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET on Saturday, December 21.

The production environments of the following systems are impacted:

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API

National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) functions that require the National Verifier will also be affected (e.g., enroll or transfer transactions). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Note: All scheduled maintenance dates for NV and NLAD are available on the USAC website.

December 11, 2024
Monthly Maintenance Notice

USAC will perform monthly maintenance on Friday, December 13 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET on Saturday, December 14.

The production environments of the following systems are impacted:

  • National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD)
  • Lifeline Claims System (LCS)
  • Representative Accountability Database (RAD)
  • Affordable Connectivity Claims System (ACCS)

Note: This maintenance was originally scheduled for Friday, December 20th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

All scheduled maintenance dates for NV and NLAD are available on the USAC website.

December 11, 2024
FCC Form 555 Now Open: Submit by January 31, 2025

The FCC Form 555 (Annual Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Certification form) is now available for the 2024 filing year. Service providers must submit the form to USAC in One Portal by Friday, January 31, 2025, and must file a copy in the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System, Docket 14-171, and with relevant state and Tribal governments. 

All Lifeline service providers are required to file the FCC Form 555 to report the results of non-usage de-enrollments and the annual recertification process.

Submissions
Service providers have the option to submit FCC Form 555 using either a single-entry or bulk data submission method. The bulk data submission method allows service providers to submit forms for multiple Study Area Codes (SACs).

All submissions must be certified by a 497 Officer for the filing to be complete.

Resources
For further details on the filing process, USAC encourages service providers to review the resources listed below: 

For technical support and additional information on completing the FCC Form 555 filing, email Form555@USAC.org.

December 9, 2024
Request for Contact Information: Lifeline Survivor Benefit Outreach

On November 15, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an Order implementing the Safe Connections Act (SCA) of 2022 to help survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes stay connected to phone and internet service. As of September 4, 2024, survivors can qualify for the Lifeline Survivor Benefit that is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and receive a monthly discount of up to $9.25 off the cost of phone, internet, or bundled services for up to six months.

Reaching Survivors

USAC and the FCC are committed to providing critical information to survivors and advocates about the Lifeline Survivor Benefit. We understand your organization may work with the survivor community and kindly request updated contact information for specific team member(s) who engage with and help survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes.

Please email LifelineProgram@usac.org with the subject line “Survivor Benefit Contact” and include any relevant contact details. Upon receipt, USAC will update its contact information and include the provided contacts in outreach about the survivor benefit, such as trainings on how survivors can apply for Lifeline and available resources to help survivors through the application process.  

USAC also invites your organization to subscribe to the Lifeline Program monthly newsletter as a “Consumer Advocate” to receive survivor benefit and general Lifeline program updates.

Upcoming Training and Resources

USAC is hosting a live training on January 8, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET on how survivors can apply for the Lifeline Survivor Benefit. Register here to attend.

USAC has several resources to assist survivors and advocates helping survivors understand and apply for the Lifeline Survivor Benefit including:  

About Lifeline Lifeline is a federal program, administered by USAC, an independent not-for-profit organization designated by the FCC. Lifeline provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 off the cost of phone, internet, or bundled services. Consumers residing on qualifying Tribal Lands are eligible for an enhanced monthly benefit of up to $34.25 a month.

November 21, 2024
November Lifeline Newsletter
  • FCC Form 555 Due January 31, 2025
  • Key Differences Between the Standard Lifeline Benefit and Survivor Benefit
  • Disaster Relief Waivers Expiring Soon
  • Support Center: Operating Schedule Through Year-End
  • Lifeline Program Compliance Reminder: Consumer Qualification for Lifeline
  • December Webinar: FCC Form 555 and Upcoming NLAD System Enhancements
  • December Maintenance Schedule

View full newsletter

November 20, 2024
November Monthly Maintenance Reminder

System Maintenance

USAC will perform scheduled monthly maintenance starting Friday, November 22 from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET on Saturday, November 23.

The production environments of the following systems are impacted:

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API
  • National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD)
  • Lifeline Claims System (LCS)
  • Representative Accountability Database (RAD)
  • Affordable Connectivity Claims System (ACCS)

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Note: All scheduled maintenance dates for NV and NLAD are available on the USAC website.

All announcements can be found in the Announcements Archive.

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