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  "description": "Stakeholders have until May 4 to weigh in on proposed anti-fraud and eligibility rules.",
  "path": "/deadline-set-for-comments-on-fccs-lifeline-reform/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-04T20:09:19.000Z",
  "site": "https://broadbandbreakfast.com",
  "tags": [
    "proposed rulemaking adopted Feb. 18",
    "Learn more about the Broadband Community...",
    "Start Your Broadband Journey Here",
    "warn stricter requirements could",
    "in December",
    "state regulators pushed back",
    "proposed rulemaking asks"
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  "textContent": "WASHINGTON, April 3, 2026 - The Federal Communications Commission has set a deadline of May 4 for initial comments on its proposal to curb fraud, tighten eligibility requirements and improve oversight of its Lifeline program.\n\nThe deadlines stem from a proposed rulemaking adopted Feb. 18, launching a comprehensive review of the federal subsidy designed to make communications services more affordable for low-income subscribers.\n\nThe rulemaking follows an FCC inspector general report that found roughly $5 million in Lifeline payments were issued to about 117,000 deceased subscribers over five years, prompting calls for stronger safeguards.\n\nLearn more about the Broadband Community...\n\n\n                            Start Your Broadband Journey Here\n                        \n\nThe FCC is considering measures including requiring full Social Security numbers and enhanced eligibility verification using federal databases. The plan has drawn criticism from consumer advocates, who warn stricter requirements could reduce participation among eligible households.\n\nThe issue first arose in December when FCC Chairman **Brendan Carr** revoked California’s right to verify federal Lifeline participants, claiming a recent state law made it “effectively impossible” for the program’s administrator to comply with federal obligations.\n\nCalifornia state regulators pushed back saying the state’s enrollment process “fully me[t] the federal rules,” and that it shared the FCC’s commitment to fraud prevention. The state was one of three granted special authority to verify federal Lifeline participants using state databases, the others being Texas and Oregon.\n\nThe FCC’s proposed rulemaking asks what reforms should be applied to states that have been permitted to use their own verification systems for Lifeline.\n\nIt also seeks comments from Lifeline providers on compliance with this potential collection and enhanced security measures needed to safeguard consumer data.\n\nThe Lifeline program was created under the 1996 Telecommunications Act. It provides discounts on broadband, phone, and bundled services.\n\nThe FCC will use the comment record to guide its final decisions on proposed reforms. The deadline for reply comments was set for June 2.",
  "title": "Deadline Set for Comments on FCC’s Lifeline Reform",
  "updatedAt": "2026-07-07T22:01:22.811Z"
}