Account Types
There are varying account permissions available in the Lifeline Claims System (LCS), the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), and the National Verifier (NV) depending on whether the user is a service provider or state agency. All account types are created in NLAD.
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Service Provider Access
The chart below outlines the account types available in LCS, NLAD, and NV for service providers and the functionalities a user may perform with the account.
| Account Type | LCS Access | NLAD Access | NV Access* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 497 Officer | The user can file and certify reimbursement claims. | The user can assign or create NLAD ETC Administrator accounts. | No access with this account. |
| ETC Administrator | No access with this account. | The user can perform subscriber transactions, query subscriber data, create and view reports, and submit resolution requests. The user can create and manage the three account types below. | The user can request eligibility checks, documentation uploads, and status checks of consumers. |
| ETC Analyst | No access with this account. | The user can perform subscriber transactions, query subscriber data, create and view reports, and submit resolution requests. | The user can request eligibility checks, documentation uploads, and status checks of consumers. |
| ETC Operations | No access with this account. | The user can query subscriber data, create and view reports, and submit resolution requests. | The user can request eligibility checks, documentation uploads, and status checks of consumers. |
| ETC Agent | No access with this account. | No access with this account. | The user can request eligibility checks, documentation uploads, and status checks of consumers. |
* As a reminder, consumers are required to independently review and agree to the Lifeline certifications in the application, including any certifications that are required with submission of documentation. The National Verifier user cannot agree to any certifications (i.e., enter the applicant’s or benefit qualifying person’s initials or e-signature) on the consumer’s behalf.
For information on how to create the service provider accounts outlined above, review the NLAD User Guide available in NLAD.
API User
The Application Programming Interface (API) specifications are available inside the NLAD system. For an API User account, contact your company’s ETC administrator.
State Agency and Tribal Partner Access
State agencies (including territories and the District of Columbia) that can request access to the NLAD and NV are as follows:
- State public utility commissions,
- State regulatory commissions,
- State departments of health and human services,
- Social service agencies,
- Agents of such entities, as is consistent with applicable federal and state laws, and
- Other authorized third parties that have been approved by USAC for purposes of assisting individuals in applying for Lifeline support.
Tribal partners (e.g., Tribal governments and government agencies and nonprofits serving Tribal communities) that can request access to the NV are as follows:
- Tribal Nation entities and their agents,
- Social service agencies, and
- Other authorized third parties that have been approved by USAC for purposes of assisting individuals in applying for Lifeline support
The chart below outlines the account types available in NLAD and NV for state agency and Tribal partner (individually referred to as a “Tribal agency”) users and the functionalities a user may perform with the account.
| Account Type | NLAD Access | NV Access* | Number of Accounts Permitted |
| State-Operations | The user can query the database for individual consumers in the state. | No access with this account. | Five State-Operations accounts are permitted per state agency. |
| State-Enhanced | The user can query the database and run reports for individual consumers in the state. | No access with this account. | Two State-Enhanced accounts are permitted per state agency. |
| State-NV | No access with this account. | The user can request eligibility checks and perform documentation uploads and status checks of consumers. | Seven State-NV accounts are permitted per state agency. |
| Tribal-NV | No access with this account. | The user can request eligibility checks and perform documentation uploads and status checks of consumers. | Seven Tribal-NV accounts are permitted per Tribal agency. |
* As a reminder, consumers are required to independently review and agree to the Lifeline certifications in the application, including any certifications that are required with submission of documentation. The National Verifier user cannot agree to any certifications (i.e., enter the applicant’s or benefit qualifying person’s initials or e-signature) on the consumer’s behalf.
Although the NLAD opt-out states (California, Oregon, and Texas) conduct their own Lifeline eligibility and duplicate checking processes, state agencies in these states may request access as needed for certain limited purposes.
Request State Agency Access
- Complete the State Access Request form.
Note: A State Access Request form must be completed for each user and each user must be assigned to a State-Operations, State-Enhanced, or State-NV account type. State agency commissioner sign-off is required for all new users. - State-NV users must register for a representative ID in the Representative Accountability Database (RAD) by visiting LifelineRAD.org.
Note: State users will be required to have a representative ID associated with their State-NV account to submit applications to the National Verifier. - Email the completed State Access Request form to LifelineProgram@usac.org.
- USAC will review the request, grant access as appropriate, assign the user account, and notify the state user via email once their access has been granted
Request Tribal Partner Access
- Complete the Tribal Access Request Form.
Note: A Tribal Access Request form must be completed for each user and each user must be assigned to a Tribal-NV account type. Tribal agency leader sign-off is required for all new users. - Tribal-NV users must register for a representative ID in the Representative Accountability Database (RAD) by visiting LifelineRAD.org.
Note: Tribal users will be required to have a representative ID associated with their Tribal-NV account to submit applications to the National Verifier. - Email the completed Tribal Access Request form to LifelineProgram@usac.org.
- USAC will review the request, grant access as appropriate, assign the user account, and notify the Tribal user via email once their access has been granted.
Quarterly Reauthorization
Each state agency that has access to NLAD or NV must complete a user reauthorization quarterly. The state agency’s commissioner or the commissioner’s delegate will receive a list of current NLAD and NV users for the state agency from USAC and must verify that the NLAD and NV users should retain access to NLAD and/or NV. Failure to reauthorize a user will result in a deactivation of the user’s account.
Each Tribal partner that has access to the NV must complete a user reauthorization quarterly. The Tribal agency’s leader or the leader’s delegate will receive a list of current NV users for the Tribal agency from USAC and must verify that the NV users should retain access to the NV. Failure to reauthorize a user will result in a deactivation of the user’s account.
Access Agreement
Upon logging in to NLAD, each user is prompted to agree to the NLAD Access Agreement. Upon logging in to the NV, each user must accept the NV Terms and Conditions. State-NV users and Tribal-NV users must register for a representative ID using the RAD and must accept the RAD Terms and Conditions.
Print the NLAD Access Agreement, NV Terms and Conditions, or RAD Terms and Conditions.