Notice2025-03923
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 12, 2025
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended ("Privacy Act"), this document announces the re-establishment of a computer matching program that the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission" or "Agency") and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services ("Nevada"). The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline program, 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 90 Issue 47 (Wednesday, March 12, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 12, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11832-11833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03923]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 283816]
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
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 the re-establishment of a
computer matching program that the Federal Communications Commission
(``FCC'' or ``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and the Universal Service
Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Nevada Department
of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive
Services (``Nevada''). The purpose of this matching program is to
verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of the
Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline program, 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 April 11, 2025. This
computer matching program will commence on April 11, 2025, and will
conclude 18 months later.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Elliot Tarloff, FCC, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0c5c7e657a6d6f754c6a6f6f226b637a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f5a5879c8394968cb5939696db929a83">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elliot Tarloff at 202-418-0886 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#89d9fbe0ffe8eaf0c9efeaeaa7eee6ff"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4010322936212339002623236e272f36">[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 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, and/or
various Tribal-specific federal assistance programs. In a Report and
Order adopted on March 31, 2016, 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
purpose of this particular matching program is to verify Lifeline
eligibility by establishing that applicants or subscribers in Nevada
are enrolled in the SNAP or Medicaid programs.
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES:
Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare
and Supportive Services (source agency); Federal Communications
Commission (recipient agency) and Universal Service Administrative
Company.
AUTHORITY FOR CONDUCTING THE MATCHING PROGRAM:
47 U.S.C. 254; 47 CFR 54.400 et seq.; 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):
In the 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order, the FCC required USAC to
develop and operate the National Verifier to improve efficiency and
reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the Lifeline program. The stated
purpose of the National Verifier is ``to increase the integrity and
improve the performance of the Lifeline program for the benefit of a
variety of Lifeline participants, including Lifeline providers,
subscribers, states, community-based organizations, USAC, and the
Commission.'' 31 FCC Rcd 3962, 4006, para. 126. To help determine
whether Lifeline applicants and subscribers are eligible for Lifeline
benefits, the Order contemplates that the USAC-operated LED will
communicate with information systems and databases operated by other
Federal and State agencies. Id. at 4011-2, paras. 135-7.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS:
The categories of individuals whose information is involved in the
matching program include those individuals (residing in a single
household) who
[[Page 11833]]
have applied for Lifeline benefits; are currently receiving Lifeline
benefits; are individuals who enable another individual in their
household to qualify for Lifeline benefits; are minors whose status
qualifies a parent or guardian for Lifeline benefits; are individuals
who have received Lifeline benefits; or are individuals acting on
behalf of an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) who have
enrolled individuals in the Lifeline program.
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS:
The categories of records involved in the matching program include
the last four digits of the Lifeline applicant's Social Security
Number, date of birth, and last name. The National Verifier will
transfer these data elements to the Nevada Department of Health and
Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services which will
respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is enrolled in a
Lifeline-qualifying assistance program: SNAP or Medicaid.
SYSTEM(S) OF RECORDS:
The USAC records shared as part of this matching program reside in
the Lifeline system of records, FCC/WCB-1, Lifeline Program, a notice
of which the FCC published at 89 FR 28777 (Apr. 19, 2024).
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-03923 Filed 3-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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