California Proposal Would Extend Subsidized Cell Service

One decade after the California Public Utilities Commission voted to stop requiring Social Security numbers for applicants of a subsidized cell phone service, the change may soon take place. The commission on July 22 proposed that the California Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Program, known as California Lifeline, be offered to Californians without a Social Security number. As CalMatters first reported, the commission ruled the same in 2014, but the requirement was never removed from applications. The program allows qualifying low-income residents to be credited up to $19 monthly on their existing cellphone bill and up to a $39 toward establishing wireless service. It also eliminates various federal, local, and state surcharges. The program is funded by surcharges to California cellphone users....