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iwinner

New Contributor II

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COX ACP Dead End at ID.me

I got approval to receive benefit from FCC USAC.

Unfortunately, COX uses ID.me and ID.me does not accept IRS 1040 forms as proof of income.

I am retired and I only have IRS 1040 forms. I don't have other documents for proof of income.

I received this response from ID.me:  

Prior year’s state, federal, or tribal tax return

This document does not match the document type selected

Do you think FCC can help me?

i.e. Filing an ACP complaint

https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us

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Bruce

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Honored Contributor III

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I've read in the Forum, the obstacle isn't with Cox but instead the gov't.  I'd have to find the post but it appears the gov't is slow to update whatever databases the providers use.

I think the original "lesson learned" in the post was to initiate your process with your provider instead of the FCC.

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iwinner

New Contributor II

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15 Messages

The problem is with ID.me a private company, a COX contractor.

The FCC USAC approved my application, I only need to upload my 1040 form.

https://www.id.me/

I had contacted ID.me and COX with no success.

The response from ID.me:

Hi, 
 
I am sorry that we couldn't help you in this instance. If you have any other questions about your ID.me account please let me know.

Regards

Member Support Associate

ID.me, Inc.

I spoke with a senior manager at COX support and waiting for her research on the issue.

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Bruce

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It reads like OP is requesting approval twice:  1 with FCC and 1 with Cox.

I'm no expert on this but the gist of the lesson learned on the other post was to just apply at 1 source.

If OP is retired, OP should be using whatever the form is for retirement income.

UPDATED:  Form 1099-R

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iwinner

New Contributor II

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Hi Bruce,

I started the ACP benefit re-qualification from COX website and was directed to ID.me. COX subcontracts the verification work to ID.me.

I have no problem in 2021 when I applied for ACP benefit with 1040 from tax year 2020.

COX wants me to re-qualify for next year, 2023 ACP benefit.

I think that ID.me decided no to accept 1040 form for proof of income.

I contacted ID.me and COX before I applied directly to FCC USAC.

FCC USAC listed all ACP Internet providers participants which includes COX communication.

AT&T does not work with ID.me. AT&T works directly with FCC USAC.

It's clearly, ID.me is the stumbling block as it has its own rule for not accepting 1040 forms.

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Bruce

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Honored Contributor III

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I understand ID.me not accepting 1040 because you wouldn't have completed one yet for 2022.  Maybe you have if you keep your own records.  I don't know.

If ID.me has since changed their policy, yes, you're now ineligible without proper proof.  However, Cox is the one delegating this approval process and if Cox isn't reassessing and compensating for the new policy of ID.me, Cox is ultimately declaring you ineligible.

All my efforts would now be focused on the Consumer Protection agency for your state.

www.usa.gov/state-consumer

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iwinner

New Contributor II

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I submitted the 1040 form for the tax year 2021.

FCC USAC accepted and processed the exact file that I uploaded to both ID.me and FCC USAC portal.

ID.me does not accept previous tax year (tax year 2021) 1040 form for proof of income.

I will try to contact the protection agency for my state and my local representative for help.

Thanks for your help.

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