FAQs

No. The National Verifier conducts the annual recertification for Lifeline subscribers. This process varies in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) opt-out states (California, Oregon, and Texas), where the state manages eligibility verification and the annual recertification process. However, there is an exception for standalone broadband subscribers in California, where the National Verifier manages consumer eligibility and conducts the annual recertification.

Subscribers who cannot be recertified automatically will receive written notice from USAC with instructions on how to complete their recertification through one of the available recertification methods:

R-Applications: Subscribers can recertify online (NV Consumer Portal), IVR, or by mail.

D-Applications: Subscribers can recertify online (NV Consumer Portal, NV Service Provider Portal, NV Carrier API), or by mail.

Subscribers who fail to recertify within their recertification period will be automatically de-enrolled after their 60-day window.

No. Subscribers cannot recertify outside of their 60-day recertification window. However, if a subscriber is de-enrolled but you believe they are still eligible for Lifeline, you can direct them to submit a new application through the National Verifier.

Yes. Any subscriber that does not successfully recertify by the end of their 60-day window will be automatically de-enrolled from NLAD. The de-enrollment will occur five business days after the end of their 60-day window.

A subscriber must be recertified at least one time per year. Once USAC notifies a subscriber that recertification has begun, the subscriber has 60 days to respond. If the subscriber does not complete their recertification within the 60-day notification time, they will be de-enrolled.

The Anniversary Date is the anniversary of a subscriber’s enrollment OR the anniversary of successful reverification in the National Verifier. USAC’s usual process is to conduct recertification activities in the 3 months prior to a subscriber’s Anniversary Date. However, do to waivers and other activity sometimes that is not the case.

An Anniversary Date cannot be changed. The Anniversary Date is not an editable field in NLAD. This date is automatically generated based on the subscribers’ transactional history. In most cases, the subscriber’s Anniversary Date is every 12 months after the Service Initiation Date.

Yes. The Recertification Subscriber Status Report in NLAD is updated daily to show which subscribers currently undergoing recertification have successfully recertified.

USAC will automatically de-enroll subscribers that do not successfully recertify within their 60-day window. However, carriers are responsible for making any necessary updates to a subscriber’s information (e.g. address, service type, etc.) in NLAD after recertification.

Until a subscriber has successfully recertified, there is no limit to the number of times a subscriber may attempt to recertify within their established 60-day recertification window.

If a subscriber loses or does not receive their recertification form, first verify they have an active recertification application by referencing the Recertification Subscriber Status Report in NLAD. If the subscriber has an active recertification application, the following recertification methods are available:

R-Applications – Require the completion of the National Verifier Recertification Form. Subscribers can complete the form via mail, online (NV Consumer Portal), or IVR.

D-Applications – Require additional documentation and the submission of a completed National Verifier Recertification Form. Subscribers can provide documentation and complete the form via mail or online (NV Consumer Portal, NV Service Provider Portal, or NV Carrier API).

Yes, USAC encourages service providers to educate their subscribers about who USAC is, why we are reaching out to them, and our recertification process. However, service providers should not provide or estimate deadlines, as these are subject to change.