Notice2026-03075
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Primary source
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Published
February 17, 2026
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 Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. 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 91 Issue 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7283-7284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03075]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 330835]
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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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 Pennsylvania Department of Human
Services. 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 March 19, 2026. This
computer matching program will commence on March 19, 2026, and will
conclude after 18 months.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Shana Yates, FCC, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554, or to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f1a1839887909288b1979292df969e87"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c898baa1bea9abb188aeababe6afa7be">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shana Yates at (202) 418-0683 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#19496b706f787a60597f7a7a377e766f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eebe9c87988f8d97ae888d8dc0898198">[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
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 SNAP and Medicaid benefits administered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
Participating Agencies: Pennsylvania 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). The authority to conduct the matching
[[Page 7284]]
program for the FCC's Lifeline program is 47 U.S.C. 254(a)-(c), (j).
Purpose(s): The purpose of this new 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 SNAP and Medicaid in
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. 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 the last four digits of the applicant's Social
Security Number, date of birth, first and last name. The National
Verifier will transfer these data elements to the Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania Department
of Human Services.
System(s) of Records: The records shared as part of this matching
program reside in the Lifeline system of records, FCC/WCB-1, Lifeline,
which was published in the Federal Register at 89 FR 28777 (Apr. 19,
2024).
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 89 FR 28780 (Apr. 19,
2024).
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-03075 Filed 2-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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