How to get Reimbursed

STAP Voucher Reimbursement Procedure

Vendors must submit the following documentation to the Public Utility Commission of Texas for voucher reimbursement:

1. A. The vendor's copy of the STAP voucher signed by both, the vendor (or an authorized representative) and the voucher recipient or parent/guardian. By signing the voucher, the vendor and voucher recipient are certifying that the device or service has been received by the voucher recipient, and that the equipment was new when delivered and was not used or re-conditioned.

   (Or) B. If the vendor is unable to obtain the recipient's signature on the voucher, other evidence of delivery, such as a postal or private delivery service receipt, may be used for proof of delivery (POD) to the recipient. However, the POD receipt must include the signature of the voucher recipient or the signature of the recipient's parent or guardian. The signature of an authorized agent will not suffice as a substitute for the signature of the recipient or the recipient's parent or guardian. Failure to obtain POD will result in the voucher not being reimbursed to the vendor.

2. A receipt that contains a description of the device or service exchanged for the STAP voucher and the price charged to the customer for the device or service exchanged. The price charged to the customer for the device or service exchanged for the voucher cannot exceed the standard retail price charged by that vendor to all of its customers who purchase the same equipment or service. No state sales tax is due for STAP-authorized devices. (See TEX. TAX CODE § 151.313 and 34 TAC § 3.284.)
   

   The receipt must have the following information:

   Cost of item

   Description of the equipment or services sold, including:
   

   • Make and Model of the phone (EX: Clarity C2210, Clear Sounds A50, etc)
   • Serial number (Only required for two way pagers)
   • STAP voucher category (EX: Amplified phone, Two Way Paging Device)

   The price charged to the customer for the device or service exchanged for the voucher cannot exceed the standard retail price charged by that vendor to all of its customers who purchase the same equipment or service. No state sales tax should be charged on STAP-funded devices. (See TEX. TAX CODE § 151.313 and 34 TAC § 3.284.)

   Vendor Reimbursement Information must be sent to:

   Public Utility Commission
   C/O STAP Vouchers
   1701 N. Congress Ave
   PO Box 13326
   Austin, TX 78711-3326
   

   1. If the submitted documentation is incomplete, PUC or the TUSF Administrator (Solix Inc.) will notify the vendor of any deficiency.

   2. Within 45 days of receipt of all required documentation, Solix Inc. will reimburse vendors who are properly registered under Part I above by an electronic funds transfer into the vendor's registered bank account, with exceptions as explained below.

      Note: The PUC may delay payment of a voucher to a vendor if there is a dispute regarding the amount or propriety of the payment or whether the device or service is appropriate or adequate to meet the voucher recipient's needs. Delay may continue until the dispute is resolved.

   3. The PUC may provide that payment of the voucher is conditional on the return of the payment if the device is returned to the vendor within 30 days of receipt or if the service is not used by the person to whom the voucher was issued within 30 days of its availability. The PUC may attempt to resolve any disputes regarding equipment or services provided under STAP using alternative dispute resolution procedures.

   4. Submission of all required information will create the presumption of a valid transaction under the STAP; however, transactions for the sale of devices or services under the STAP shall be subject to investigation and audit for two years after the payment. Vendors are required to maintain records of all sales transactions conducted pursuant to the STAP for two years. Vendors will provide an annual report each year to the PUC or designated STAP coordinator, in a format determined by the PUC, detailing the quantity and types of equipment sold from the previous fiscal year (September 1 - August 31) that will be due on October 1st of each year. If the vendor does not send in the annual report, the STAP coordinator shall suspend the vendor and discontinue processing vouchers submitted by that vendor until the report is received.

   5. If a dispute arises as to whether the submitted documentation is sufficient to create a presumption of a valid STAP sales transaction, the PUC will be the sole judge of the sufficiency of the documentation.

Last Updated: 03/27/09