Notice2025-11463
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
June 23, 2025
Effective
July 23, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agriculture Department
Abstract
Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108, notice is hereby given that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to create a new system of records (SOR) entitled USDA/FNS-15, "National Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Information Database." This system is owned, administered, and secured by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The primary purposes of this system are to validate the accuracy of eligibility determinations and strengthen SNAP and government program integrity.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 118 (Monday, June 23, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 118 (Monday, June 23, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26521-26523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11463]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 118 / Monday, June 23, 2025 /
Notices
[[Page 26521]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
AGENCY: Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS).
ACTION: Notice of a new system of records.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108, notice is
hereby given that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
proposes to create a new system of records (SOR) entitled USDA/FNS-15,
``National Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Information
Database.'' This system is owned, administered, and secured by the Food
and Nutrition Service (FNS). The primary purposes of this system are to
validate the accuracy of eligibility determinations and strengthen SNAP
and government program integrity.
DATES: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (11), this system of
records notice will become effective upon publication in the Federal
Register, except for the routine uses, which will become effective on
July 23, 2025, unless USDA determines they must be changed as a result
of public comment. USDA will publish any changes to the system of
records notice resulting from public comment.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may submit written comments by one of the
following methods:
<bullet> Preferred: Federal eRulemaking Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> provides the ability to type short comments
directly into the comment field on this web page or attach a file for
lengthier comments. Follow the online instructions at that site for
submitting comments.
<bullet> By email: [Insert email contact]
<bullet> By mail: [Insert mail contact], FNS, 1320 Braddock Place,
Alexandria, VA 22314.
Instructions: All comment submissions must include the agency name
and docket number for this rulemaking. All comments received will be
posted without change to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any
personal information provided. However, comments containing profanity
or inappropriate or abusive content may be rejected or redacted before
posting.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions, please contact:
FNS Privacy Officer, Information Management Branch, Food and Nutrition
Service, USDA, 1320 Braddock Pl, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; or via
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d0839dfeb6befe80a2b9a6b1b3a9fd969e8390a5a3b4b1feb7bfa6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="21726c0f474f0f715348574042580c676f7261545245400f464e57">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Pursuant to, among other authorities, 7 U.S.C. 2020(a)(3) and
(e)(8)(A) and 7 CFR 272.1(c)(1) and (e), FNS will work with all State
agencies and their designated vendors and/or contractors to transmit
data on SNAP participants and transactions for the purposes listed
below. This system is consistent with and effectuates multiple
executive orders, including but not limited to Executive Order 14243 of
March 20, 2025, Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating
Information Silos and Executive Order 14218 of February 19, 2025,
Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.
USDA and FNS will use the SNAP data in this system to ensure the
integrity of Government programs, including by verifying SNAP recipient
eligibility against federally maintained databases, identifying and
eliminating duplicate enrollments, and performing additional
eligibility and program integrity checks specified herein.
The system of records notice explains how the records within the
new system will be used and with whom they will be shared.
Privacy Act
The Privacy Act of 1974 (the Privacy Act), 5 U.S.C. 552a, embodies
fair information principles in a statutory framework governing the
means by which the United States Government collects, maintains, uses,
and disseminates records about individuals. The Privacy Act applies to
information that is maintained in a SOR. A SOR is a group of any
records under the control of an agency for which information is
retrieved by the name of an individual or by some identifying number,
symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual. In
the Privacy Act, an individual is defined to encompass United States
citizens and lawful permanent residents.
The Privacy Act requires each agency to publish in the Federal
Register a description denoting the type and character of each SOR that
the agency maintains, to publish the routine uses that are contained in
each system in order to make agency record keeping practices
transparent, and to notify individuals regarding the uses and locations
of their records.
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), USDA has provided a report of
this SOR to the Office of Management and Budget and to the relevant
committees of Congress.
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
USDA/FNS-15, National SNAP Information Database.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
Unclassified.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
The National SNAP Information Database is maintained in the FNS
Amazon Web Service (AWS) cloud infrastructure environment that is used
only by Federal employees and contractors. The data is processed and
stored solely within the continental United States. The agency, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, address is 1400 Independence Ave. SW,
Washington, DC 20250 and the address of the third-party service
provider is Microsoft, 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington 98052-6399.
SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
Director, Portfolio Management Division, Office of Information
Technology, Food and Nutrition Service, 1320 Braddock Road, Alexandria,
Virginia 22314. Telephone: (703) 305-2504.
[[Page 26522]]
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
7 U.S.C. 2020(a)(3) and (e)(8)(A); 7 CFR 272.1(c)(1) and (e);
Executive Order (E.O.) 14243; Executive Order 14218.
PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
USDA will use the SNAP data to ensure the integrity of Government
programs, including by verifying SNAP recipient eligibility against
federally maintained databases. This is consistent with USDA's
statutory authority and will ensure Americans in need receive
assistance, while at the same time safeguarding taxpayer dollars from
abuse. USDA will leverage data-sharing across Federal and State systems
to identify and rectify any ineligible, duplicate, or fraudulent SNAP
enrollments or transactions. This includes verifying eligibility based
on immigration status, identifying and eliminating duplicate
enrollments, assisting States in mitigating identity theft, and
performing other eligibility and program integrity checks using
lawfully shared internal and interagency data. This also includes
sharing, where permitted by law and consistent with this notice,
information with State agencies when necessary to investigate and
rectify fraudulent or otherwise improper or illegal SNAP enrollments or
transactions.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
Individuals who have received, are currently receiving, or have
applied to receive SNAP benefits.
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
The system consists of records containing personally identifying
information, including but not limited to SNAP participant name, Social
Security Number (SSN), date of birth (DOB), residential address,
Electronic Benefit Transaction (EBT) card number, and case record
identifier number or other identifiers or data elements maintained by
States, vendors, or contractors to identify SNAP recipients. The system
also consists of information derived from and associated with EBT
transactions, including but not limited to records sufficient to
calculate the total dollar value of SNAP benefits received by
participants over time, such as applied amounts and benefit available
dates.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
Information in this system is provided by the 53 State agencies
that administer SNAP and their designated vendors and/or contractors.
Information in this system is also provided by other Federal agencies
with which USDA partners on program integrity efforts.
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES
OF USERS AND PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
Records created or stored in this system may be disclosed pursuant
to the permitted routine uses outlined below to the extent such uses
are authorized by, among other authorities, 7 U.S.C. 2020(a)(3) and
(e)(8), 7 CFR 272.1(c)(1) and (e), and Executive Orders 14218 and
14243.
(1) To the Department of Justice or in a proceeding before a court
or adjudicative body when: (a) USDA/FNS or any component thereof; or
(b) any employee of USDA in his or her official capacity, or any
employee of the agency in his or her individual capacity where the
Department of Justice has agreed to represent the employee; or (c) the
United States Government, is a party to litigation or has an interest
in such litigation, and USDA determines that the records are both
relevant and necessary to the litigation and the use of such records by
the Department of Justice is deemed by USDA to be for a purpose that is
compatible with the purpose for which USDA collected the records.
(2) In an appropriate proceeding before a court, grand jury, or
administrative or adjudicative body or official, when the USDA/FNS or
other Agency representing the USDA, determines that the records are
both relevant and necessary to the proceeding; or in an appropriate
proceeding before an administrative or adjudicative body when the
adjudicator determines the records to be relevant and necessary to the
proceeding.
(3) To a Member of Congress or to a Congressional staff member in
response to an inquiry of the Congressional office made at the request
of, and on behalf of, the individual about whom the record is
maintained.
(4) To the National Archives and Records Administration or other
Federal government agencies pursuant to records management activities
being conducted under 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
(5) To another Federal agency or Federal entity, when USDA/FNS
determines that information from this system of records is reasonably
necessary to assist the recipient agency or entity in: (1) responding
to a suspected or confirmed breach or (2) preventing, minimizing, or
remedying the risk of harm to individuals, the recipient agency or
entity (including its information systems, programs, and operations),
the Federal Government, or national security, resulting from a
suspected or confirmed breach.
(6) To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when: (1) USDA/
FNS suspects or has confirmed that there has been a breach of the
system of records; (2) USDA/FNS has determined that as a result of the
suspected or confirmed breach there is a risk of harm to individuals,
USDA (including its information systems, programs, and operations), the
Federal Government, or national security; and (3) the disclosure made
to such agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably necessary to
assist in connection with USDA's efforts to respond to the suspected or
confirmed breach or to prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm.
(7) To contractors, grantees, experts, consultants, and the agents
thereof, and others performing or working on a contract, service,
grant, cooperative agreement, or other assignment for USDA, when
necessary to accomplish an agency function related to this system of
records. USDA and FNS will require individuals provided information
under this routine use to comply with all applicable requirements and
limitations of disclosure imposed by the Privacy Act.
(8) When a record on its face, or in conjunction with other
records, indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether
civil, criminal or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general
statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule, or order
issued pursuant thereto, USDA/FNS may disclose the record to the
appropriate agency, whether Federal, foreign, State, local, or tribal,
or other public authority responsible for enforcing, investigating, or
prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing
the statute, or rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto, if
the information disclosed is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory,
investigative or prosecutive responsibility of the receiving entity.
(9) To Federal and State Agencies responsible for: (1) the
administration of SNAP; or (2) the administration of other Federal
benefits programs to the extent permitted by applicable law when such
information is necessary for the performance of lawful audit,
oversight, or administrative functions.
(10) To the U.S. Department of the Treasury when disclosure of the
information is relevant and necessary to review payment and award
eligibility through the Do Not Pay Working System for the purposes of
identifying, preventing, or recouping improper payments to an applicant
for, or recipient of, Federal funds, including funds disbursed by a
state (meaning a state of the United States, the District of
[[Page 26523]]
Columbia, a territory or possession of the United States, or a
federally recognized Indian tribe) in a state-administered, federally
funded program.
(11) To support another Federal agency or to an instrumentality of
any governmental jurisdiction within or under the control of the United
States (including any State or local governmental agency), that
administers, or that has the authority to investigate or assist USDA to
investigate potential fraud, waste, or abuse in, a Federal benefits
program funded in whole or in part by Federal funds, when disclosure is
deemed reasonably necessary by USDA to prevent, deter, discover,
detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend
against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud, waste, or abuse in
such programs.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
The National SNAP Information Database will be hosted in the FNS
AWS Cloud infrastructure environment, which is FedRAMP certified. These
records are electronic.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
Records may be indexed and retrieved by the name of the individual,
SSN, EBT card number, case record identifier number, or any other
identifier or data element used by any State, vendor, or contractor to
identify SNAP recipients.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
Records are retained and disposed of in accordance with Section
11(a)(3)(B) of the FNA. Records may be retained for a period of not
less than 3 years as specified in the FNA or applicable regulation, or
for a longer period as required by litigation, investigation, and/or
audit. Electronic records are retained by FNS employees and contractors
at FNS offices. This system does not yet have a NARA-approved records
schedule. All records in this system will be kept indefinitely unless
otherwise required by law until NARA has approved a records schedule
for this system.
ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
Administrative Safeguards: The USDA safeguards records in this
system according to applicable rules and policies, including all
applicable USDA automated systems security and access policies. USDA
has imposed strict controls to minimize the risk of compromising
information in the system. Access to the computer system containing the
records in this system is limited to those individuals who have a need
to know the information for the performance of their official duties
and who have appropriate clearances or permissions. Access is
controlled through USDA eAuthentication service.
Technical Safeguards: The National SNAP Information Database will
utilize a robust collection of technical safeguards to ensure the
integrity of the platform. The National SNAP Information Database is
designed to meet all technical safeguards required by its system
categorization in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
800-53. The National SNAP Information Database will be hosted in a
secure environment that uses perimeter security protection to prevent
interference or access from outside intruders. When accessing the
National SNAP Information Database, Secure Socket Layer (SSL)/Transport
Layer Security (TLS) technology protects the user's information by
using both server authentication and data encryption. Users will only
access the National SNAP Information Database by USDA eAuthentication
through Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Card and Personal
Identification Number (PIN) entry or <a href="http://Login.gov">Login.gov</a>. The National SNAP
Information Database administrators will have a suite of security tools
that can be used to increase the security of the system.
Physical Safeguards: The servers that host the National SNAP
Information Database are stored in a USDA FedRAMP authorized data
center with strict physical access control procedures in place to
prevent unauthorized access.
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
Personal information contained in this system is provided by the
State agency, or such agency's designated vendors and/or contractors,
in the State where the individual is a SNAP participant or applicant.
An individual may obtain information about a record in the system which
pertains to the individual by submitting a written request to the
systems manager listed above via letter or online at <a href="https://efoia-pal.usda.gov/">https://efoia-pal.usda.gov/</a>. If by mail, the letter should be marked ``Privacy Act
Request.'' Requests should include the name of the individual making
the request, the name of the system of records, any other information
specified in the system notice, and a statement of whether the
requester desires to be supplied with copies by mail or electronically.
Individuals may also directly contact the applicable State agency or
local SNAP office. A request for information pertaining to an
individual should contain the name, address, date of birth, and SSN of
the individual, and any other information that will assist in locating
the record.
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
Individuals desiring to contest or amend information maintained in
the system should direct their request to the system manager listed
above or to the State agency or designated vendor/contractor that
provided the data. The request should identify each record in question,
state the amendment or correction desired, and state why the individual
believes that the record is not accurate, relevant, timely, or
complete. The individual may submit any documentation that would be
helpful. Where consistent with the Privacy Act and this notice,
requests sent to the system manager will be shared with the State
agency in the State where the individual is a SNAP participant or
applicant for resolution. Requests must follow the procedures set forth
in 7 CFR 1.116 (Request for correction or amendment to record).
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
Any individual may request information regarding this system of
records, or information as to whether the system contains records
pertaining to the individual, from the System Manager listed above: See
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES.
EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
None.
HISTORY:
None.
James C. Miller,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2025-11463 Filed 6-20-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 23, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.