Congress·In Committee·S. 3954

Lifeline Program: Mandatory Federal Eligibility Checks

No Lifeline for Dead People Act

Legislative Progress

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This bill, introduced by Ernst, would change how phone and internet companies check if someone qualifies for the Lifeline program. Lifeline is a federal program that provides monthly discounts on phone or internet service for low-income households.
Currently, some states use their own local systems to decide who is eligible for these discounts. This bill would end that practice and require every company in every state to use the federal "National Verifier" system instead.
The main goal is to prevent fraud and ensure that government-funded discounts aren't being used for people who have died or are otherwise ineligible. The bill's title reflects the effort to stop benefits from being paid out to "dead people."
For most people currently receiving the discount, this change would happen behind the scenes between the phone company and the government. However, it ensures that everyone across the country is held to the same verification standards to protect taxpayer money.

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 26, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Feb 26, 2026

Introduced in Senate

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

No Lifeline for Dead People Act

Bill NumberS 3954

Congress119th Congress

ChamberSenate

Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

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