Notice2023-26697
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Primary source
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Published
December 5, 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 Minnesota Department of Human Services. 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 232 (Tuesday, December 5, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84325-84326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26697]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 187883]
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 Minnesota Department of Human
Services. 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 January 4, 2024. This
computer matching program will commence on January 4, 2024, 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#7626041f0017150f3610151558111900"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cd9dbfa4bbacaeb48dabaeaee3aaa2bb">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elliot S. Tarloff at 202-418-0886 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b6e6c4dfc0d7d5cff6d0d5d598d1d9c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94c4e6fde2f5f7edd4f2f7f7baf3fbe2">[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,
[[Page 84326]]
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
SNAP and Medicaid benefits administered by the Minnesota Department of
Human Services.
Participating Agencies
Minnesota Department of Human Services (source agency), Federal
Communications Commission (recipient agency) and Universal Service
Administrative Company.
Authority for Conducting the Matching Program
The authority to conduct the matching program for the FCC's ACP is
47 U.S.C. 1752(a)-(b).
Purpose(s)
The purpose of this new matching agreement is to verify the
eligibility of applicants and subscribers 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 SNAP
and Medicaid 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 Minnesota Department of Human Services,
which will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is
enrolled in a qualifying assistance program: SNAP and Medicaid
administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
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. 2023-26697 Filed 12-4-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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