Notice2026-16266
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Primary source
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Published
August 10, 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 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of Lifeline, 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 91 Issue 152 (Monday, August 10, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 152 (Monday, August 10, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51491-51492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-16266]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 361207]
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 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The
purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of
applicants to and subscribers of Lifeline, 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 September 9, 2026. This
computer matching program will commence on September 9, 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#e3b3918a9582809aa3858080cd848c95"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d080a2b9a6b1b3a990b6b3b3feb7bfa6">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shana Yates at (202) 418-0683 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7323011a0512100a331510105d141c05"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f4a4869d8295978db4929797da939b82">[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 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.
Participating Agencies
Iowa Department of Health and 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
Lifeline program is 47 U.S.C. 254(a) through (c), and (j).
Purpose(s)
The purpose of this new matching agreement is to verify the
eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and other Federal
programs that use qualification for Lifeline as an eligibility
criterion. This new agreement will permit eligibility verification for
the Lifeline program by checking an applicant's/subscriber's
participation in SNAP in Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
Under FCC rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify for
Lifeline discounts.
[[Page 51492]]
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; are currently receiving Lifeline; are
individuals who enable another individual in their household to qualify
for Lifeline; are minors whose status qualifies a parent or guardian
for Lifeline; or are individuals who have received Lifeline.
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 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services which
will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is enrolled
in a qualifying assistance program: SNAP administered by the Iowa
Department of Health and 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 91 FR 9251 (Feb. 25, 2026).
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-16266 Filed 8-7-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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