Notice2022-05243
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Primary source
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Published
March 14, 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 South Carolina 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 49 (Monday, March 14, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14264-14265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05243]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID 75965]
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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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 South Carolina 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 13, 2022. This
computer matching program will commence on April 13, 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#86d6f4eff0e7e5ffc6e0e5e5a8e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2575574c5344465c654346460b424a53">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Oliver at 202-418-1732 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c595b7acb3a4a6bc85a3a6a6eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d2d0f140b1c1e043d1b1e1e531a120b">[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.
[[Page 14265]]
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 SNAP benefits administered by the South Carolina
Department of Social Services.
Participating Agencies
South Carolina Department of Social Services, the Federal
Communications Commission and the Universal Service Administrative
Company.
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 new 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 SNAP in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina Department of
Social Services, which will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the
individual is enrolled in a qualifying assistance program: SNAP
administered by the South Carolina 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.
Katura Jackson,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-05243 Filed 3-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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