Oregon Pushes Back on Lifeline Fraud Findings
State regulators said federal policies kept some deceased Lifeline subscribers active.
WASHINGTON, April 30, 2026 – The Public Utility Commission of Oregon is disputing federal findings that identified payments to deceased participants in the Lifeline program.
In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission, Oregon regulators said Friday delays in reporting and temporary COVID-19 program waivers contributed to some inactive or deceased subscribers remaining enrolled longer than usual.
The response follows a January advisory from the FCC’s Office of Inspector General that found about $5 million in payments to deceased individuals. Federal officials did not characterize all of those payments as confirmed fraud but raised concerns about potential waste and oversight gaps.
