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California's $3.8M Lifeline Mistake: FCC Calls Out Oversight

1/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Federal Communications Commission reports California received $3.8 million for phone and internet services for over 94,000 deceased individuals from 2020 through 2025.
The $3.8 million is the highest amount among the three states mentioned in the report.
Brendan Carr, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, labeled California the "worst offender" in Lifeline oversight.
The FCC revoked California's Lifeline verification authority.
Governor Gavin Newsom's office has not yet commented on the findings.

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Story summary

The Federal Communications Commission reports California received $3.8 million for phone and internet services for over 94,000 deceased individuals from 2020 through 2025.
The $3.8 million is the highest amount among the three states mentioned in the report.
Brendan Carr, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, labeled California the "worst offender" in Lifeline oversight.
The FCC revoked California's Lifeline verification authority.
Governor Gavin Newsom's office has not yet commented on the findings.