USAC Announces Date for Transition to SAM.gov Banking Information For Reimbursements
Hello E-Rate Community,
USAC has announced that, effective August 10, 2026, it will begin using SAM.gov banking information to remit payments for all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices. E-Rate applicants who invoice using the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) method and have an active SAM.gov registration and have added their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) to the FCC Form 498 in EPC do not need to take any additional actions. All invoices paid after August 10 will be disbursed to the bank account associated with their SAM.gov registration. If you only receive discounted bills where your service provider files the Service Provider Invoice (SPI), you are not required to complete this.
Payments Will Be Held for BEAR Filers Without an Active SAM.gov Registration and UEI
All E-Rate applicants who use the BEAR method to invoice USAC and receive USF disbursements must have their current SAM.gov UEI on their FCC Form 498 in EPC and must have a valid bank account associated with their SAM.gov registration.
BEAR Filers who have not registered with SAM.gov or added their UEI to the FCC Form 498 in EPC should do so promptly. Once USAC transitions to SAM.gov banking information, BEAR filers without a UEI in their FCC Form 498 can submit invoices, but their payments will be held until these steps are completed. Please note that if for some reason you are unable to update the Form 498 prior to August 10th, you will still have access to the form to complete the UEI addition after that date. There will be no need to ask for an extension, but again, payments will be held.
For step-by-step instructions on updating the Form 498, or how to file a new Form 498 if there is not a current approved form in EPC, I’ve provided a guide you can access by clicking on Form-498-Filing – Updating-Guide-UEI & Banking Info.
If a payment is held, USAC will send an email to the E-Rate remittance contact notifying them of the hold with the subject line “Action Required: Your Payment is on Hold”.
For questions about a held payment, contact the USAC Customer Service Center at CustomerSupport@USAC.org.
Maintaining SAM.gov Registrations
SAM.gov requires users to renew their registration annually. The renewal process is conducted through the SAM.gov website. Once users complete their renewal, SAM.gov will inform USAC; E-Rate applicants do not need to take any action with their FCC Form 498.
I hope this is helpful, but please let me know if you need additional information.
Sincerely,
Lorrie
Lorrie Germann
State E-Rate Coordinator
On behalf of the Ohio Department of Education
lorrie.germann@education.ohio.gov
www.ohio-k12.help/erate
Office: 740-223-2420
Cell: 740-253-1153