Notice2022-04421
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Primary source
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Published
March 3, 2022
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 Virginia 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 Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), 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 87 Issue 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12167-12168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04421]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 74524]
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 Virginia 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 Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), 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 April 4, 2022. This
computer matching program will commence on April 4, 2022, and will
conclude 18 months after the effective date.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Linda Oliver, FCC, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554, or to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bcecced5cadddfc5fcdadfdf92dbd3ca"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7525071c0314160c351316165b121a03">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Oliver at 202-418-1732 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6b3b19021d0a08122b0d0808450c041d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1545677c6374766c557376763b727a63">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lifeline program provides support for
discounted broadband and voice services to low-income consumers.
[[Page 12168]]
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.
In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260,
134 stat. 1182, 2129-36 (2020) (codified at 47 U.S.C. 1301 nt.),
Congress created the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, and directed
use of the National Verifier to determine eligibility based on various
criteria, including the qualifications for Lifeline (Medicaid, SNAP,
etc.). EBBP provided $3.2 billion in monthly consumer discounts for
broadband service and one-time provider reimbursement for a connected
device (laptop, desktop computer or tablet). In the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, 135 stat. 429, 1238-44
(2021) (codified at 47 U.S.C. 1751-52), Congress modified and extended
EBBP, provided an additional $14.2 billion, and renamed it the
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). A household may qualify for the
ACP 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 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
ACP. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility
of Lifeline and ACP applicants and subscribers by determining whether
they receive Medicaid or SNAP benefits administered by the Virginia
Department of Social Services.
Participating Agencies: Virginia Department of Social Services.
Authority for Conducting the Matching Program: The authority for
the FCC's ACP is Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law
117-58, 135 stat. 429, 1238-44 (2021) (codified at 47 U.S.C. 1751-52);
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): The purpose of this modified matching agreement is to
verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline, as
well as to ACP and other Federal programs that use qualification for
Lifeline as an eligibility criterion. This new agreement will permit
eligibility verification for the Lifeline program and ACP by checking
an applicant's/subscriber's participation in Medicaid and SNAP in
Virginia. Under FCC rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify
for Lifeline discounts and also for ACP 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 ACP
benefits; are currently receiving Lifeline and/or ACP benefits; are
individuals who enable another individual in their household to qualify
for Lifeline and/or ACP benefits; are minors whose status qualifies a
parent or guardian for Lifeline and/or ACP benefits; or are individuals
who have received Lifeline and/or ACP 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, and last
name. The National Verifier will transfer these data elements to the
Virginia Department of Social Services, which will respond either
``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is enrolled in a qualifying
assistance program: Medicaid or SNAP administered by the Virginia
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
ACP system of records, FCC/WCB-3, Affordable Connectivity Program,
which was published in the Federal Register at 86 FR 71494 (Dec. 16,
2021).
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-04421 Filed 3-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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