How to Receive Instant Invoice Deadline Extension Approvals
October 21, 2016
~ Can only be used if you have a PIN ~
~ Updated BEAR-Due List Attached ~
~ Updated 498 (Direct Deposit Form) Approval List Attached ~
USAC has just released a slick new Invoice Deadline Extension Request (IDER) tool and it can provide instant IDER approvals for applicants that have PINs. The tool is not available on the public-facing website and therefore cannot be used by applicants that don’t have PINs. For instructions how to use the new Tool, see Section Abelow. For applicants that don’t have a BEAR PIN, see Section B. Note: If you already submitted the IDER using Submit a Question, you are welcome to submit a new IDER using the new IDER Tool to obtain instant approval (the Submit a Question IDER will be later denied as duplicate). If I were you, and you have a PIN, I would log-in to the new IDER Tool in the Online BEAR System and submit the IDER to receive instant approval. For information on requesting a BEAR PIN or finding the real-time status of the Form 498, see Section OTHERbelow.
SECTION A – New IDER Tool (if you have a PIN)
To use the Invoice Deadline Extension tool, you must first log in to the online BEAR to establish your identity. Then follow these steps:
> Log into the Online BEAR at: http://www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx (if you don’t have a PIN, see “How to Request a BEAR PIN” above)
> Click the Deadline Extension tab at the top of the screen.
> Enter the first Funding Request Number (FRN) for which you want to request a deadline extension. You can only request an extension for one FRN at a time.
> The screen will display the details of the FRN – e.g., FCC Form 471 application number, FRN, Billed Entity Number (BEN), Service Provider, Commitment Status, Committed Amount, Amounts Disbursed on the FRN, and current Last Date to Invoice – so that you can verify that you entered the correct FRN.
> When you’re ready to request the extension, click “Submit.”
Timeline? Within a few minutes you will receive an automatic approval or denial message on your screen and USAC will also send you an email containing the same message. (Note that the email will come from the sender “no-reply” and the domain “solixinc.com,” so you may want to add this information to your safe senders list.)
Invoice deadline extension requests can be denied for the following reasons:
- The entire commitment on the FRN has already been paid.
- An invoice deadline extension request was recently requested and approved. For example, your service provider may have submitted a request, or you or someone in your organization may have used Submit a Question to submit a request.
- You have already received one 120-day invoice deadline extension for this FRN and USAC cannot approve a second 120-day extension. You can check the FRN Extension Table to determine the invoice deadline date.
- USAC has not yet made a commitment on the FRN.
- The FRN was denied.
- The FRN is not associated with your login credentials. If this is the case, please try to resubmit with the correct information.
- The request was made after the last date to invoice.
SECTION B – IDER via Submit a Question (if you don’t have a PIN)
All BEARs are now submitted online using USAC’s Legacy BEAR System (not in EPC) at: http://www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx. To access the Online BEAR, you will need an E-rate PIN. If you can’t find your old E-rate PIN, don’t have a PIN, or have requested a PIN and haven’t received it yet, you must submit the IDER using Submit a Question on the USAC website at: http://www.slforms.universalservice.org/EMailResponse/EMail_Intro.aspx.
> Under ‘Topic Inquiry’ select “Invoice Deadline Extension Request”
> Then select “Other”
> Complete the information cover page, and then in the ‘Questions’ text box, list the FRN (or multiple FRNs).
Timeline? An e-mail approval will be sent within 3-4 days.
OTHER:
How To Request a BEAR PIN
Complete the attached PIN Request Template and send to USAC using Submit a Question: http://www.slforms.universalservice.org/EMailResponse/EMail_Intro.aspx.
> Under ‘Topic Inquiry’ select “PIN Request”
> Then select “Other”
> Indicate ‘YES,’ you want to upload an attachment. USAC will send you a separate e-mail asking for your attachment, which will be the completed spreadsheet.
Timeline? An e-mail with the new BEAR PIN will be send within 2-3 days. If you don’t receive it within 3 days, contact CSB at 888-203-8100.
How to Check the Form 498 Status in Real-Time:
As you know, the Form 498 must be submitted AND approved by USAC before the BEAR can be submitted. Why? Beginning immediately, no paper reimbursement checks will be mailed; all payments will be electronically transferred from USAC to the applicant’s bank account. In order for USAC to know where to transfer the funds, all BEAR-users must complete the Form 498 in order to provide USAC with their bank account and bank routing information. The Online Form 498 Banking Information Status Toolcan be accessed at: http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/498-ID-Status.aspx. After you submit the 498, immediately upload a copy of the voided check at: http://efileweb.usac.org/ContributorManagement/V1/BankValidation. You should receive an e-mail approval from USAC in about 2-3 days. If you don’t receive the approval within 3 days of uploading the voided check, call USAC’s Billings and Disbursements Office at: 888-641-8722, Option 5, then Option 1.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jtschell@comcast.net!
– Julie
Julie Tritt Schell
PA E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 – o
717-730-9060 – f
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org
Penn*link