{"id":31541,"date":"2019-07-09T20:58:23","date_gmt":"2019-07-09T20:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=31541"},"modified":"2019-07-09T20:58:23","modified_gmt":"2019-07-09T20:58:23","slug":"usac-re-issuing-bear-notification-letters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=31541","title":{"rendered":"USAC Re-Issuing BEAR Notification Letters"},"content":{"rendered":"

July 9, 2019<\/p>\n

USAC recently became aware that, due to a system issue, applicants have not been receiving paper BEAR Notification Letters for disbursements made after January 1, 2019.\u00a0 These applicants\u2019 remittance contacts, however, did receive the e-mail notification showing any deposits had been made.\u00a0 The paper BEAR Notification letters (BNLs) are important for two reasons:\u00a0 1) they notify applicants the amounts that have been funded, partially funded or $0-funded and the reasons, and 2) they set the 60-day appeal clock if you receive a partially-funded or $0-funded BEAR. \u00a0These are different than the e-mailed remittance statements because the remittance statements don\u2019t show reductions, denials, or reasons \u2013 just amounts deposited.<\/p>\n

In order to \u201ccure\u201d this problem, USAC is proactively reprinting and mailing copies of all BEAR Notification Letters for BEARs processed on or after January 1, 2019, and those letters will be dated July 8, 2019. \u00a0If you receive one of these letters, please review to ensure that your BEAR was fully paid.\u00a0 If it was erroneously reduced or $0-funded, be sure to resubmit the BEAR if the invoice deadline has not yet passed, or appeal within 60 days if the invoice deadline has passed. \u00a0Note: BEAR payments made prior to January 1, 2019 will not receive new BNLs.<\/p>\n

As a reminder, BEAR Notification Letters are mailed to the contact person who was listed on the Form 486 for that FRN \u2013 not the 471 contact or the BEAR contact. \u00a0Remittance notices are e-mailed to the Remittance Contact listed on the Form 498 (direct deposit banking form) that is on file with USAC.\u00a0 If you want to see who is listed as your Remittance Contact, follow these steps:<\/p>\n