A technique for distributing channel allocation information in a demand access communication system. In a preferred embodiment, for use with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) type communication, multiple access codes are used that have a defined code repeat period or code epoch. For each such epoch duration, a central controller, such as located at a base station in the case of operating a forward link, determines a schedule of assignment of traffic channels to active terminals for each epoch. For each terminal designated as active during the epoch, an active terminal unit identifier is assigned. For each terminal designated as active during the epoch, the base station assigns a list of active channels for such terminal unit. Prior to the start of each epoch, a channel set up message is sent on one of the forward link channels, such as a paging channel. The channel set up message indicates the terminal unit identifiers and the lists of active channels for epochs of the associated traffic channel(s) that are to follow. At the remote terminal unit, upon receiving a paging channel message, an active terminal identifier is determined from each paging channel message and compared to a previously assigned terminal identifier. On a predetermined subsequent epoch, the indicated active traffic channel, as indicated from the list of active traffic channels indicated by a received paging channel message, are then processed.