How to Transfer ACP Benefits to Another Provider Online

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal initiative designed to help eligible households afford internet service, officially concluded on June 1, 2024, due to a lack of additional funding from Congress. New applications for the program ceased on February 8, 2024. Understanding how its benefits could be transferred between providers offers insight into its operational framework. This article details the former process of transferring ACP benefits online, explaining the steps and information that were required when the program was in effect.

Understanding Benefit Transfers

Transferring benefits allowed eligible households to switch their internet service discount from one participating provider to another. This flexibility enabled beneficiaries to choose a provider that better suited their needs, whether for improved service quality or more favorable service plans. A household could only have an active ACP benefit with one internet provider at any given time.

The process of transferring benefits was generally limited to one transfer per calendar month to prevent uninformed or unwanted changes. However, certain exceptions allowed for more frequent transfers, such as when a provider stopped operating, failed to provide service, or if an unwanted transfer occurred without consumer consent. Such transfers were typically initiated by the new service provider on behalf of the consumer, often through the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) after obtaining explicit consent.

Information Needed for Transfer

To initiate an online transfer of ACP benefits, beneficiaries needed to gather several specific pieces of information. Key items included the National Verifier Application ID or Household ID, which served as the primary identifier for the benefit.

Additionally, individuals were required to provide their full legal name, date of birth, and current address, matching the information registered with the ACP. Details about the current ACP provider, such as their name and account information, were often necessary. The name of the new provider to whom benefits were being transferred was also essential. Furthermore, other personal identification details like the last four digits of a Social Security Number or a Tribal ID number might have been required for online verification purposes.

Online Transfer Steps

The online transfer of ACP benefits typically commenced by visiting the official National Verifier website or a specific online portal designated for ACP transfers, such as the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) consumer portal. Users would generally log in or enter their National Verifier ID to access their existing benefit information.

Once logged in, individuals would navigate to a section often labeled “Transfer My Benefits” or a similar option. From there, they would be prompted to select their desired new provider from a list of participating companies. The online system would then guide them through confirming various details, often auto-populating fields with information already on file, which users would verify for accuracy. Digital consents and acknowledgments were required, affirming understanding of the transfer. The transfer request would then be submitted electronically.

Confirming Your Transfer

After an online transfer request was submitted, beneficiaries could typically verify its status through the National Verifier portal or by contacting their new internet service provider. Many providers would also send confirmation emails or notifications once the transfer was complete. The typical timeline for a transfer to be processed and become effective could vary, often taking a few business days.

In instances where a transfer did not appear to go through or if issues arose, former beneficiaries would have been advised to first contact the customer service department of their new provider for assistance. They could also check the status directly on the National Verifier website for any error messages or delays. While the ACP is now concluded, former participants are encouraged to contact their internet service providers directly to understand how the program’s end impacts their current service and billing arrangements.