Notice2023-18540
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Primary source
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Published
August 29, 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 Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 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 88 Issue 166 (Tuesday, August 29, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 29, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59523-59524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18540]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 167038]
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 Health and Human
Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 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 September 28, 2023. This
computer matching program will commence on September 28, 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#b5e5c7dcc3d4d6ccf5d3d6d69bd2dac3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0e5e7c67786f6d774e686d6d20696178">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elliot S. Tarloff at 202-418-0886 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#28785a415e494b51684e4b4b064f475e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="edbd9f849b8c8e94ad8b8e8ec38a829b">[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.
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
[[Page 59524]]
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 benefits administered by the Department of Health
and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Participating Agencies
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services; Federal Communications Commission.
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. 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, first and last name, and state of
residence. The National Verifier will transfer these data elements to
the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, which will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the
individual is enrolled in a qualifying assistance program: Medicaid
administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
System(s) of Records
The CMS System of Records Notice (SORN) that supports this matching
program is ``Transformed--Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-
MSIS)'', System No. 09-07-0541, last published in full at 84 FR 2230
(February 16, 2019).
The FCC SORNs that support this matching program are: (1) ``FCC/
WCB-1,'' Lifeline, which was published in the Federal Register at 86 FR
11526 (Feb. 25, 2021); and (2) ``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. 2023-18540 Filed 8-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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