Notice2021-22100
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Primary source
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Published
October 8, 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 North Carolina Department of Health and 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 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56267-56268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22100]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 52488]
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 North Carolina
Department of Health and 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 November 8, 2021. This
computer matching program will commence on November 8, 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#f0a0829986919389b0969393de979f86"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fcac8e958a9d9f85bc9a9f9fd29b938a">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Drake at 202-417-1707 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e0b0928996818399a0868383ce878f96"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0a5a78637c6b69734a6c6969246d657c">[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
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 (81 FR 33026, May
24, 2016) (2016 Lifeline Modernization
[[Page 56268]]
Order), 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) benefits administered by the North Carolina Department.
Under FCC rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify for
Lifeline discounts and also for EBBP benefits.
Participating Agencies
North Carolina Department of Health and 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, subparts E, P; 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 program is to verify the eligibility
of EBBP applicants and subscribers by determining whether they receive
SNAP benefits administered by the North Carolina 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 first and 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 North Carolina
Department, which will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the
individual is enrolled in an EBBP-qualifying assistance program: State
of North Carolina's SNAP.
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. 2021-22100 Filed 10-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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