Annual Filings

All Lifeline program service providers are required to file two forms annually. This webpage outlines each form's purpose and requirements.

Jump To

• FCC Form 555
• FCC Form 481

FCC Form 555

The Purpose of FCC Form 555

The FCC Form 555, or “Annual Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Certification Form,” reports the results of the annual recertification process and includes data accuracy certifications.

Who Must File FCC Form 555

All Lifeline program service providers are required to file FCC Form 555.

Deadline for FCC Form 555

FCC Form 555 is due on January 31 each year. If January 31 falls on a federal holiday or weekend, the form will be due on the next business day.

How to File FCC Form 555

Service providers must submit one form per SAC participating in the Lifeline program.

The form must be filed online using One Portal, USAC’s single sign-in dashboard for all USAC systems, including Lifeline systems. Single-form entry and bulk upload are both available. Service providers may file with the bulk upload option using the FCC Form 555 Bulk Upload Template.

Service providers must also file a copy of their FCC Form 555 in the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System, Docket 14-171, with their state regulatory commission, and relevant Tribal governments.

For more details on the filing process, review:

• The December Monthly Webinar: FCC Form 555
• The FCC Form 555 Demo
• The FCC Form 555 Supplemental Information
• The FCC Form 555 FAQs
• The FCC Form 555 User Guide

FCC Form 481

The Purpose of FCC Form 481

The FCC Form 481, or the “Carrier Annual Reporting Data Collection Form,” collects financial and operations information used to validate service provider support and fulfills the annual 54.313 certification requirement.

Who Must File FCC Form 481

Service providers participating in the Lifeline program and/or High Cost program must file FCC Form 481 with USAC.

Deadline for FCC Form 481

The FCC Form 481 is due on July 1 each year.

How to File FCC Form 481

The form must be filed online using One Portal, USAC’s single sign-in dashboard for all USAC systems, including Lifeline systems.

For more information on how to file FCC Form 481, visit High Cost’s File FCC Form 481 webpage.