Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
| Citation | 86 FR 36744 |
| Record Number | 2021-14961 |
| Published date | 13 July 2021 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Federal Communications Commission |
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 131 (Tuesday, July 13, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36744-36745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14961]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 37364]
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice of a New Matching Program.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended
(``Privacy Act''), this document announces the establishment of a
computer matching program the Federal
[[Page 36745]]
Communications Commission (``FCC'' or ``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and
the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with
the Virginia Department of Social Services (Department). The purpose of
this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and
subscribers of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which is
administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC, or other federal
programs that use qualification for the FCC's Lifeline Program as an
eligibility criterion. More information about this program is provided
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
DATES: Written comments are due on or before August 12, 2021. This
computer matching program will commence on August 12, 2021, and will
conclude 18 months after becoming effective.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Margaret Drake, FCC, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554, or to [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Drake at 202-417-1707 or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
(EBBP) was established by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations
Act of 2021, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182. EBBP is a program that
will help low-income Americans obtain discounted broadband service and
one-time co-pay for a connected device (laptop, desktop computer or
tablet). This program was created specifically to assist American
families' access to broadband, which has proven to be essential for
work, school, and healthcare during the public health emergency that
exists as a result of COVID-19. A household may qualify for the EBBP
benefit under various criteria, including an individual qualifying for
the FCC's Lifeline program.
In a Report and Order adopted on March 31, 2016, the Commission
ordered USAC to create a National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier
(``National Verifier''), including the National Lifeline Eligibility
Database (LED), that would match data about Lifeline applicants and
subscribers with other data sources to verify the eligibility of an
applicant or subscriber. The Commission found that the National
Verifier would reduce compliance costs for Lifeline service providers,
improve service for Lifeline subscribers, and reduce waste, fraud, and
abuse in the program. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
directs the FCC to leverage the National Verifier to verify applicants'
eligibility for EBBP. The purpose of this matching program is to verify
the eligibility of EBBP applicants and subscribers by determining
whether they receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
and Medicaid benefits administered by the Virginia Department. Under
FCC rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify for Lifeline
discounts and also for EBBP benefits.
Participating Non-Federal Agencies
Virginia Department of Social Services (Department).
Authority for Conducting the Matching Program
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, Public Law 116-260, 134
Stat. 1182; 47 CFR part 54.
Purpose(s)
In the 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order, the FCC required USAC to
develop and operate the National Verifier to improve efficiency and
reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the Lifeline program. The stated
purpose of the National Verifier is ``to increase the integrity and
improve the performance of the Lifeline program for the benefit of a
variety of Lifeline participants, including Lifeline providers,
subscribers, states, community-based organizations, USAC, and the
Commission.'' 31 FCC Rcd 3962, 4006, para. 126. To help determine
whether Lifeline applicants and subscribers are eligible for Lifeline
benefits, the Order contemplates that the USAC-operated LED will
communicate with information systems and databases operated by other
Federal and State agencies. Id. at 4011-2, paras. 135-7.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 directs the FCC to
leverage the National Verifier to verify applicants' eligibility for
EBBP. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility
of EBBP applicants and subscribers by determining whether they receive
SNAP and Medicaid benefits administered by the Virginia Department.
Under FCC rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify for
Lifeline discounts and also for EBBP benefits.
Categories of Individuals
The categories of individuals whose information is involved in the
matching program include, but are not limited to, those individuals who
have applied for EBBP benefits; are currently receiving benefits; are
individuals who enable another individual in their household to qualify
for EBBP benefits; are minors whose status qualifies a parent or
guardian for EBBP benefits; or are individuals who have received EBBP
benefits.
Categories of Records
The categories of records involved in the matching program include,
but are not limited to last name, date of birth and the last four
digits of the applicant's Social Security Number. The National Verifier
will transfer these data elements to the Virginia Department, which
will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is enrolled
in an EBBP-qualifying assistance program: State of Virginia's SNAP and
Medicaid.
System(s) of Records
The USAC records shared as part of this matching program reside in
the EBBP system of records, FCC/WCB-3, Emergency Broadband Benefit
Program, which was published in the Federal Register at 86 FR 11523
(Feb. 25, 2021).
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-14961 Filed 7-9-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
