Step 7 Invoicing

FCC Form 472 Filing

The FCC Form 472 is used by the applicant to request reimbursement for support on eligible services that have already been paid in full by the applicant to the service provider.

What to File

FCC Form 472

Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form

You can file this form online.

Purpose of Form

Applicants file an FCC Form 472 (BEAR) to request reimbursement for the discount amount on eligible services that have already been billed by the service provider to the applicant and paid in full by the applicant to the service provider.

• If an applicant submits a BEAR Form online, the service provider must approve the form online before submission is complete.
• If an applicant submits a BEAR Form on paper, the service provider must complete page four of the paper form and return it to the applicant before it can be submitted by the applicant.

When to File

BEAR Forms can be filed after the applicant has filed an FCC Form 486, the service provider has filed an FCC Form 473, Service Provider Annual Certification (SPAC) Form for that funding year, services have started, and the applicant has paid for those services in full.

BEAR Forms can be submitted for one-time charges or monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, or less frequently. However, services featured on the BEAR Form must have been paid in full by the applicant.

Deadline: The BEAR Form must be received or postmarked no later than 120 days after the last date to receive service or 120 days after the date of the FCC Form 486 Notification Letter, whichever is later.

If the BEAR Form is submitted after the deadline, the applicant or the service provider must file – and USAC must grant – an invoice deadline extension request before a BEAR Form can be resubmitted.

After Filing

USAC issues an FCC Form 472 (BEAR) Notification Letter to the applicant and mails a copy to the service provider upon successful data entry of the BEAR Form.