Notice2021-22101
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 a new computer matching program the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission" or "Agency") and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Connecticut Department of Social Services ("Department") ("Agency"). The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of Lifeline, and the 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 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56266-56267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22101]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 52487]
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 a new computer matching
program the Federal Communications Commission (``FCC'' or
``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) will conduct with the Connecticut Department of Social
Services (``Department'') (``Agency''). The purpose of this matching
program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers
of Lifeline, and the 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 November 8, 2021. This
computer matching program will commence on November 8, 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#3f6f4d56495e5c467f595c5c11585049"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d0d2f342b3c3e241d3b3e3e733a322b">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Drake at 202-418-1707 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e6b6948f9087859fa6808585c8818990"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="90c0e2f9e6f1f3e9d0f6f3f3bef7ffe6">[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 (81 FR 33026, May
24, 2016) (2016 Lifeline Modernization Order), the Commission ordered
USAC
[[Page 56267]]
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 Lifeline and EBBP applicants and subscribers by determining whether
they receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services.
Participating Agencies
Connecticut Department of Social Services.
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 through 54.423; 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 modified matching agreement is to verify the
eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline, as well as to
EBBP and other Federal programs that use qualification for Lifeline as
an eligibility criterion. This new agreement will permit eligibility
verification for the Lifeline program by checking an applicant's/
subscriber's participation in SNAP. 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, first name, and last name. The National
Verifier will transfer these data elements to the Connecticut
Department of Social Services, which will respond either ``yes'' or
``no'' that the individual is enrolled in a qualifying assistance
program: SNAP administered by Connecticut Department of Social
Services.
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.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-22101 Filed 10-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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