Notice2023-08123
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Primary source
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Published
April 18, 2023
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 Department of Education. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which is administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC. More information about this program is provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23675-23676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08123]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID 136272]
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 Department of Education. The
purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of
applicants to and subscribers of the Affordable Connectivity Program
(ACP), which is administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC.
More information about this program is provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section below.
DATES: Written comments are due on or before May 18, 2023. This
computer matching program will commence on
[[Page 23676]]
May 18, 2023, and will conclude 18 months after the effective date.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Elliot S. Tarloff, FCC, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554, or to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4e1e3c27382f2d370e282d2d60292138"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b0e0c2d9c6d1d3c9f0d6d3d39ed7dfc6">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elliot S. Tarloff at 202-418-0886 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b4e4c6ddc2d5d7cdf4d2d7d79ad3dbc2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c292b0abb4a3a1bb82a4a1a1eca5adb4">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2021, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182, 2129-36 (2020), 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 ACP applicants and subscribers by determining whether they receive
Federal Pell Grant benefits administered by the Department of
Education.
Participating Agencies
Department of Education (source agency), Federal Communications
Commission (recipient agency) and 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 Department of Education's legal authority for this matching
program and the associated disclosures is provided by Section 904 of
division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-
260) as amended by Division F, Title V of the Infrastructure and
Investment Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, and the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C.
552a. Prior to sending any records under this matching program to the
Department of Education, USAC will obtain the prior written consent of
all applicants for and subscribers to the ACP benefits whose
eligibility is based on being a recipient of a Federal Pell Grant so as
to permit the Department of Education to disclose their receipt of a
Federal Pell Grant disbursement in an active award year to USAC and the
FCC under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20
U.S.C. 1232g(b) and 34 CFR 99.30, and the Privacy Act.
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 ACP by checking an applicant's/subscriber's
participation in the Federal Pell Grant Program. Under FCC rules,
consumers receiving these benefits qualify 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 ACP benefits; are currently receiving ACP benefits; or
who have received ACP benefits.
Categories of Records
The categories of records involved in the matching program include
the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security Number, date of
birth, and first and last name. The National Verifier will transfer
these data elements to the Department of Education, which will respond
either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is enrolled in a
qualifying assistance program: Federal Pell Grant administered by the
Department of Education.
System(s) of Records
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. 2023-08123 Filed 4-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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