The No Lifeline for the Dead Act directs the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen verification procedures for the Lifeline program, a federal subsidy that helps low-income Americans afford phone service. Within 120 days of enactment, the FCC must require all eligibility determinations to use the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and National Lifeline Accountability Database, eliminating options for states to use alternative verification systems. The bill also requires that anyone previously approved without using these federal databases be re-examined within 180 days and lose benefits if found ineligible under the new standards. Additionally, the legislation limits assistance to U.S. citizens and qualified aliens, and requires applicants to provide a Social Security number or Tribal identifier to qualify. The bill contains no new funding provisions and instead aims to tighten program administration to prevent payments to ineligible recipients.
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