State applicants will now use the national verification system due to compliance concerns.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ended California’s ability to use its own eligibility verification process for the Lifeline program after recent changes to state law that prevent the collection and sharing of information, such as Social Security numbers. The federal program provides discounted phone and internet services to low-income households, and states are required to share data to accurately verify and prevent duplicate or ineligible enrollments. Applicants in California will now follow the standard federal National Verifier process used in most states.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr stated. “These changes in law come on the heels of California making it clear that they will not be vetting beneficiaries of their programs based on legal status.“
He added, “California also has a bad track record of complying with federal Lifeline program rules. Therefore, the FCC is revoking California’s ‘opt-out’ status and will now require federal Lifeline applicants in California to comply with the federal verification process that applies in nearly every other state. Federal dollars should not pay for California’s abuse of the Lifeline program.”
An accompanying order from the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau also directs California to use the National Lifeline Accountability Database for duplicate checks. The Lifeline program is funded through the federal Universal Service Fund and is available nationwide, including in territories and tribal lands.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Chairman Carr and members of the FCC as they oversee these changes to maintain accuracy and oversight in federal benefit programs.
- For California officials and agencies as they adjust administrative processes and collaborate with federal systems to ensure residents can access eligible services smoothly.
- For the president and secretaries in his Cabinet as they seek to ensure taxpayer-funded programs only benefit eligible recipients.
Sources: Federal Communications Commission
