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Returning Program Funding

Returning Program Funding

For several reasons, your company or organization may need to return program funding to USAC. For example, USAC may have disbursed funds to you in error, or there may be a discrepancy between your company’s projected support amount and the actual support disbursed, or if your company revised its previous support claims.  

As of September 25, 2026, program participants must return funding using the new Program Recovery Payments system. To make a payment, sign into your account, then click the Return Funding button. Review the sections below for detailed instructions by program. All funds must be returned electronically.

For a step-by-step walkthrough on how to return funding, watch the Return Program Funding video at the bottom of this page.

High Cost and Lifeline

You may receive an invoice to return funds to USAC after USAC has done a true-up between your company’s projected support amount and the actual support disbursed, or if your company revised its previous support claims. 

Click the Sign In button above to sign into your account, and then click Return Funding to access the Program Recovery Payments system. Be sure to have your Original Statement Amount and Statement Number ready. 

If you do not have an account, your Company Officer will need to create an account for you. For additional assistance, contact the Contributor/Service Providers Customer Service Center (CSC) at (888) 641-8722 from Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Rural Health Care (RHC) and E-Rate

If during a review of your funding commitments (audits, appeals, whistleblower calls, etc.), USAC discovers that funds were committed in error, we will send both the applicant and service provider a Commitment Adjustment/Demand Letter (COMAD). The letter will include a funding commitment report with information about the funding adjustment(s). 

Click the Sign In button above to sign into your account, then click Return Funding to access the Program Recovery Payments system. Be sure to have your Original Statement Amount and Funding Request Number (FRN) ready. 

If you do not have an account, your Company Officer or Account Administrator will need to create an account for you.  

Note: If you would like to voluntarily return funds, please fill out the Voluntary Return Request Form for E-Rate, the Cybersecurity Pilot Program, or Rural Health Care and submit it to PIDVoluntaryReturns@usac.org. USAC will use this information to create statements in our system that you can pay online. Once USAC has reviewed your information and confirmed that you can proceed with payment, complete your payment using the Program Recovery Payments system. Your payment must be received by USAC within 60 days of the invoice date.

For additional assistance, contact USAC’s Customer Service Center (CSC):

  • Rural Health Care 
    Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET 
    Phone: (800) 453-1546 
    Email: RHC-Assist@usac.org
  • E-Rate 
    Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET 
    Phone: (888) 203-8100 
    Online: Create a case in EPC