Form 498 – Adding UEI Number & Banking Info Updates

April 23, 2026

Per the April News Brief, USAC reminds us that, beginning in August 2026, they will use SAM.gov banking information to pay all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices. To continue receiving USF disbursements, all service providers and E-Rate participants who use the FCC Form 472/BEAR for invoicing must have an active SAM.gov account, a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on their FCC Form 498, and a valid bank account associated with their SAM.gov account.

E-Rate applicants who file  BEAR forms and believe they have an active SAM.gov Account, UEI, and a linked valid bank account should:

  • Log into EPC to confirm that the FCC Form 498 includes a UEI.
  • Log into SAM.gov to confirm that the UEI is connected to a valid bank account—specifically, the bank account designated to accept USF disbursements, the SAM.gov account is active, and check the annual renewal due date.

After completing these steps, E-Rate applicants who file BEARs will be set to continue receiving USF disbursements.  Please remember that you must renew your SAM.gov account annually. The renewal due date is included in your account on SAM.gov.  You will not be able to receive USF disbursements if your SAM.gov account becomes inactive. 
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.

BEAR filers who do not think they have an active SAM.gov Account, UEI, and a linked valid bank account should:

  • Visit SAM.gov and follow the registration process through to completion. Visit the SAM.gov  Learn How to Register Your Entity page to get started.
  •  Once registered with SAM.gov, you will be automatically assigned a UEI.
  •  Log into SAM.gov to link the UEI to a valid bank account—specifically, the bank account designated to accept USF disbursements.
  • Reference the  Form-498-Filing – Updating-Guide-UEI & Banking Info guide to add the UEI to the FCC Form 498.

Because the SAM.gov registration process can take up to six weeks, USAC recommends starting as soon as possible. For more information, visit USAC’s  SAM.gov UEI Requirement webpage.

If you have questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Lorrie

Lorrie Germann
Pennsylvania E-Rate Coordinator
717-576-2737 – o
lgermann@e-ratepa.org
www.e-ratepa.org

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