Year 5 BEAR Deadline is Oct 28 - Do You Have $ Remaining?
Year 5 (2002-2003) BEAR/SPIF Deadline for Recurring Services is October 28
Message Posted October 21, 2003
* PA has 1991 FRNs that need to submit BEARs for recurring services ASAP
* Spreadsheet attached showing affected entities
* Submit Form 500 if not using remaining funds
Applicants and service providers only have until next Tuesday, October 28, 2003 to file Form 472s (BEARs for applicants) or Form 474 (SPIFs for service providers) to collect Year 5 (2002 - 2003) funding for recurring services. Because of the magic of the SLD's Data Retrieval Tool, I am able to filter through the data and determine exactly who still has funding remaining.
Attached to this message is a spreadsheet containing a list of all PA entities that, as of Oct. 21, have more than 40% of an FRNs funding remaining. Meaning, if you have invoiced 60% or more of an FRN, that FRN would not be counted on the list (I figure you didn't spent the small remaining amount and thus couldn't invoice the SLD for it).
The spreadsheet contains the service provider's name, the amount that was committed, and the amount that has been invoiced (if any), and the amount remaining in each FRN. The list does not include internal connections funding (those invoices may be submitted up until January 28 -- see below).
If you sent in your BEAR in the last few weeks, there's a possibility that the SLD hasn't processed it yet, so don't panic.
Reminder, although the SLD intends to make this form available to submit online in the future, it hasn't happened yet and therefore you must print and file MANUALLY. The form is available on the SLD's website. The good news is that the .pdf versions can be typed into and printed out so you don't have to hand-write them or use a typewriter.
And don't forget to fax all 4 pages of the BEAR to your service provider for their signature. After you've received the signed service provider certification page, you can mail all 4 completed pages to the SLD for payment.
CLICK HERE FOR SPREADSHEET
Q. How long do I have to submit a BEAR for a non-recurring services (installation or internal connections?)
A. Applicants have until September 30, 2003 to complete their non-recurring services for Year 5. Thus, the deadline for those BEARs/SPIFs is January 28, 2004 (120 days after Sept. 30).
Q. I already sent my BEAR for a particular FRN... why isn't it showing up on the SLD database?
A. Because most applicants wait until the last month to file BEARs, there is a small backlog at the SLD. So if you mailed your BEAR in the last 2 weeks or so, don't panic. But be sure you retain a proof of postmark just in case it was lost in the mail.
Q. I won't be needing the remaining funding... how do I release the funds?
A. You may submit a Form 500 to the SLD in order to release funding for a particular FRN. Keep in mind that after the funding has been released, there is no way to get it back. The advantage of doing this is to get your name off these lists.
Q. When will I receive my check?
A. The SLD processes your invoice (BEAR) and sends a check to the service provider. The service provider then has 20 calendar days to mail a check to you. Normally, it takes about 6-8 weeks to receive your check, although that may be longer due to the backlog at the SLD. WRITE YOURSELF A REMINDER FOR DECEMBER TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU RECEIVED YOUR REIMBURSEMENT CHECK. In some cases, the checks are mailed to the service providers, but they are never forwarded to the applicant.
Julie Tritt Schell
jtschell@comcast.net
(717) 730.7133 (voice)
(717) 730.9060 (fax)
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