Notice2021-12726
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Primary source
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Published
June 16, 2021
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended ("Privacy Act"), this document announces the establishment of a computer matching program the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission" or "Agency") and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Minnesota Department of Human 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 114 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32036-32037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12726]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID 32686]
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 Communications Commission
(``FCC'' or ``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and the Universal Service
Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Minnesota
Department of Human 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 July 16, 2021. This
computer matching program will commence on July 16, 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#38684a514e595b41785e5b5b165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d2d0f140b1c1e043d1b1e1e531a120b">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Drake at 202-417-1707 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cb9bb9a2bdaaa8b28bada8a8e5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6636140f1007051f2600050548010910">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 Minnesota Department. Under
FCC rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify for Lifeline
discounts and also for EBBP benefits.
Participating Agencies
Minnesota Department of Human 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 (81 FR 33026, May 24,
2016), 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
[[Page 32037]]
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 Minnesota 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, first 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 Minnesota
Department, which will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the
individual is enrolled in an EBBP-qualifying assistance program: State
of Minnesota'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.
Cecilia Sigmund,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-12726 Filed 6-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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