The following steps must be completed when filing a BEAR:

1. The applicant submits a completed FCC Form 472 BEAR to USAC
   
   LEARN MORE Learn more about the Form 472 BEAR
2. USAC reviews the invoice and processes a payment if payment is approved
3. USAC issues a BEAR Notification Letter to the applicant and the service provider

Beginning July 1, 2016, applicants that pay the full cost of the E-Rate supported services to a service provider will receive reimbursement from USAC via direct deposit. Applicants must file a Form 498 to provide banking information prior to filing a BEAR request.

LEARN MORE Learn more about the Form 498

Before USAC will pay a BEAR:

• USAC must issue an FCDL for the Funding Request Number (FRN)
• Services must have been delivered
• The applicant must file and successfully certify the Form 486 to indicate services have started
• The applicant must file and successfully certify the Form 498 to provide direct deposit information
• The service provider must file a Form 473, Service Provider Annual Certification (SPAC) Form for that funding year and that Service Provider Identification Number
• The invoice must have been paid in full

The deadline for BEAR Forms is no later than 120 days after the last day to receive service or 120 days after the FCC Form 486 Notification Letter date, whichever is later.

For most applicants, the deadline keys off the service date, making deadlines as follows:

• October 28 following the end of the funding year for recurring services
• January 28 following the end of the funding year for non-recurring services and one-time purchases

Applicants must specifically request an extension, if needed. A single 120 day extension will be automatically granted only upon request before the invoice deadline. If the deadline is nearing, and you have any outstanding BEARs from the previous funding year, play it safe by requesting an invoice extension from USAC for all active FRNs for which invoices have not yet been submitted. Should you need an extension after the fact, your only remedy is to request one from the FCC.

Save the following documentation:

• A copy of all bills
• Proof of payment of all bills
• A copy of completed BEAR forms
• BEAR Notification Letters
• Proof of receipt and deposit of all reimbursements received

After the end of each calendar quarter, USAC issues a Quarterly Disbursement Report that details all invoicing activity (BEAR Forms and SPI Forms) processed during that quarter. This report allows you to track all of the invoicing activity related to your Billed Entity Number (BEN).