No Lifeline for Dead People Act

Key Points

• 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.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.