Notice2021-17280
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Primary source
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Published
August 11, 2021
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended ("Privacy Act"), this document announces the notice 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 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ("Agency"). The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of Lifeline (existing purpose) and the new Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, both of which are administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC. More information about these programs is provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 152 (Wednesday, August 11, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 11, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44021-44022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17280]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 42433]
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice of a computer matching program.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended
(``Privacy Act''), this document announces the notice 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 U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) (``Agency''). The purpose of this matching
program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers
of Lifeline (existing purpose) and the new Emergency Broadband Benefit
Program, both of which are administered by USAC under the direction of
the FCC. More information about these programs is provided in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
DATES: Written comments are due on or before September 10, 2021. This
computer matching program will commence on September 10, 2021, and will
conclude 18 months after the effective date.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Margaret Drake, FCC, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554, or to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#adfddfc4dbccced4edcbcece83cac2db"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0555776c7364667c456366662b626a73">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Drake at 202-418-1707 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e5b5978c9384869ca5838686cb828a93"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bdedcfd4cbdcdec4fddbdede93dad2cb">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Lifeline program provides support for discounted broadband and
voice services to low-income consumers. Lifeline is administered by the
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under FCC direction.
Consumers qualify for Lifeline through proof of income or participation
in a qualifying program, such as Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutritional
Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance,
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans and Survivors Pension
Benefit, or various Tribal-specific federal assistance programs.
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 helps 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
Federal Public Housing Assistance benefits administered by the HUD.
Persons receiving these benefits qualify for Lifeline discounts and
also for EBBP benefits.
Participating Non-Federal Agencies
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Authority for Conducting the Matching Program
The authority for the FCC's EBBP is Consolidated Appropriations Act
of 2021, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182; 47 CFR part 54. The
authority for the FCC's Lifeline program is 47 U.S.C. 254; 47 CFR
54.400 et seq.; Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization, et al.,
Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order, and Order on
Reconsideration, 31 FCC Rcd 3962, 4006-21, paras. 126-66 (2016) (2016
Lifeline Modernization Order).
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 agreement is to verify the eligibility
of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline (existing purpose), as well
as to the new
[[Page 44022]]
EBBP and to other Federal programs that use qualification for Lifeline
as an eligibility criterion. This new agreement would replace the
existing agreement with HUD, which permits matching only for the
Lifeline program by checking an applicant's/subscriber's participation
in Federal Public Housing Assistance. 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 Lifeline and/or EBBP benefits; are currently receiving
Lifeline and/or EBBP benefits; are individuals who enable another
individual in their household to qualify for Lifeline and/or EBBP
benefits; are minors whose status qualifies a parent or guardian for
Lifeline and/or EBBP benefits; or are individuals who have received
Lifeline and/or EBBP benefits.
Categories of Records
The categories of records involved in the matching program include,
but are not limited to, the last four digits of the applicant's Social
Security Number, date of birth, state of residence, and first name and
last name. The National Verifier will transfer these data elements to
the Department of Housing and Urban Development which will respond
either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is enrolled in a
qualifying assistance program: Department of Housing and Urban
Development, Federal Public Housing Assistance.
System(s) of Records
The records shared as part of this matching program reside in the
Lifeline system of records, FCC/WCB-1, Lifeline, which was published in
the Federal Register at 86 FR 11526 (Feb. 25, 2021).
The 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.
Katura Jackson,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-17280 Filed 8-9-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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