Rep Obernolte Introduces Bill After California Loophole Allowed Millions in Payments to Deceased Individuals

Rep Jay Obernolte (R-CA) introduced the No Lifeline for the Dead Act, legislation to strengthen oversight and accountability in the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program following a watchdog report uncovering widespread waste, fraud, and abuse tied largely to California’s enrollment system. The Lifeline program provides a monthly subsidy to help low-income Americans afford phone and broadband service, ensuring access to essential communications for work, education, healthcare, and public safety. To administer the program, the FCC relies on national verification tools to confirm eligibility and prevent duplicate enrollments. However, some states, including California, have been allowed to “opt out” of these federal systems and instead use their own eligibility and enrollment processes. While intended to provide flexibility, this structure reduces federal visibility and creates gaps in oversight. The legislation requires all states to use federal verification systems, strengthens identity checks, and requires re-verification of existing enrollees to ensure that only eligible individuals receive benefits.