California’s Lifeline Program Misallocation

California’s Lifeline program has inadvertently funneled millions in federal funds to provide phone and internet services for over 94,000 individuals who have passed away, as highlighted in a recent report from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

According to the FCC’s inspector general, California collected approximately $3.8 million from 2020 to 2025 via this federal program, which aims to assist low-income Americans with phone and internet connectivity. The program generally allocates close to $1 billion annually for subsidies in this area.

Remarkably, California was the top state in terms of funds received compared to two other states mentioned in the report.

From 2020 to 2025, lifeline providers in states that opted out of a verification process secured nearly $5 million in reimbursements from the FCC for services provided to deceased individuals.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr expressed criticism, stating, “Gavin Newsom’s California was by far the worst offender of these opt-out states.” In a communication on X, he remarked that the FCC had revoked California’s authority to oversee its own verification process.

There has been no comment from Governor Newsom’s office regarding this issue.