Applies to: E-Rate applicants who invoice using the BEAR method
What’s happening
Beginning September 8, 2026, USAC will use SAM.gov banking information to pay all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices. Every invoice paid on or after that date will be disbursed to the bank account tied to your entity’s SAM.gov registration — not to any account previously on file with USAC.
Who needs to act
This change affects applicants who file for reimbursement through the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) method.
No action needed if you already have:
- An active SAM.gov registration with a valid bank account attached, and
- Your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) entered on your FCC Form 498 in EPC
Action required if either item above is missing. You can still submit BEAR invoices, but USAC will hold your payment until the registration and UEI are in place.
If a payment is held
USAC will email your E-Rate remittance contact with the subject line “Action Required: Your Payment is on Hold.” Please forward any such notice to your K&S consultant right away so we can help you clear it.
Questions on a held payment go to the USAC Customer Service Center at CustomerSupport@USAC.org.
An alternative: switch to SPI
Applicants who prefer not to submit a UEI in EPC may elect the Service Provider Invoice (SPI) method instead, under which the service provider invoices USAC directly and discounts your bill. Switching requires following USAC’s process to change your invoicing method — talk to us first, as the change affects cash flow and vendor coordination.
Keeping your registration current
SAM.gov registrations must be renewed annually through the SAM.gov website. When you complete a renewal, SAM.gov notifies USAC automatically — no update to your FCC Form 498 is required.
Proposed next steps
- Verify your SAM.gov registration is active and that the bank account on file is correct and current.
- Confirm your UEI appears on your FCC Form 498 in EPC. If it doesn’t, add it now.
- Check your remittance contact in EPC so hold notices reach a monitored inbox.
- Flag any pending BEAR invoices you expect to be paid after September 8 and let us know if you’d like us to review your setup before then.
If you’re unsure of your status on any of the above, contact us and we’ll walk through it with you. Visit USAC’s Sam.gov UEI Requirement website.
