FAQs

To learn more about establishing and updating user entitlements review How to Use E-File.

Yes. You must still complete the FCC Form 555. Service providers in opt-out states (California, Texas, and Oregon) should report relevant data in blocks A-F for recertifications conducted by their State Lifeline Administrator.

Yes. All ETCs that have a SAC assignment from USAC that has not been relinquished must complete and file FCC Form 555 with USAC, FCC, and relevant state and Tribal governments. ETCs that had no subscribers for the Form 555 data year must certify that they did not claim federal low income support during the data year.

Yes. Only ETCs that do not assess or collect a monthly fee from their Lifeline subscribers need to report de-enrollment for non-usage. Most ETCs subject to the non-usage requirements are wireless service providers who offer a specific allotment of pre-paid minutes per month without a monthly fee after the application of the Lifeline discount. For more information pertaining to the de-enrollment requirements of pre-paid ETCs, refer to 47 C.F.R. Section 54.405(e)(3).
Service providers not subject to the Lifeline program’s usage rules should select “No” to the question “Is the ETC subject to the non-usage requirements,” and then the fields will be inactive/greyed out.

The “Total Number of Subscribers” field states the number of subscribers eligible for recertification.

If the National Verifier is responsible for conducting recertification in your State, you do not need to report any recertification results. When the National Verifier method is selected, the Form 555 filing system disables the option to enter data in blocks A – F.

If a state Lifeline administrator (California, Oregon, and Texas) is responsible for conducting recertification, report the results in blocks A – F and enter the number of subscribers eligible for recertification within the current calendar year for the current FCC Form 555. All service providers in opt-out states must be able to support their claim.

Enter the number of subscribers who de-enrolled from Lifeline before or after the state Lifeline administrator’s attempt to recertify continued eligibility. If you were not responsible for conducting any recertifications (due to being part of NV), you should enter “0” in block B. If you were not required to conduct recertification but you still did, you must report the results for those subscribers.
This number should include all subscribers who de-enrolled for any reason, including those subscribers that discontinued Lifeline service with the service provider on their own initiative and those that the service provider de-enrolled from the Lifeline program (for example, subscribers de-enrolled for non-usage or who transferred their Lifeline benefits). If no subscribers were de-enrolled from Lifeline before or after the recertification attempt, enter zero in block B.

Yes. 497 Officer entitlements allow the user to certify both Lifeline Reimbursement Claims and the FCC Form 555 online.

Yes. One FCC Form 555 is required per SAC. Recertification results are no longer aggregated at the state level.

After filing with USAC via One Portal, service providers need to file a copy in the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System, Docket 14-171. Service providers must also submit a copy of the completed form with the relevant state and Tribal governments. Please check with your state public utilities/service commission for state requirements regarding your annual recertification.

FCC Form 555 Supplemental Information is available and “tooltips” are available within the One Portal. Click the question mark icon to view the relevant tooltip. More information is also available on the Annual Filings page. If you need further assistance, please email Form555@usac.org.