Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program, 32929-32930 [2021-13218]

Agencies

• FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32929-32930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13218]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[FR ID: 33520]


Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice of a new matching program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended 
(``Privacy Act''), this document announces the modification of a 
computer matching program the Federal Communications Commission 
(``FCC'' or ``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and the Universal Service 
Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the

[[Page 32930]]

New Mexico Human Services Department (Department). The purpose of this 
matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and 
subscribers of Lifeline (existing purpose) and the new Emergency 
Broadband Benefit Program, 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 July 23, 2021. This 
computer matching program will commence on July 23, 2021, and will 
conclude 18 months after the effective date.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Margaret Drake, FCC, 45 L Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20554, or to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Drake at 202-418-1707 or 
[email protected].

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 and 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.
    The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) was established by 
Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, Public Law 
116-260, 134 Stat. 1182. EBBP is a program that will help low-income 
Americans obtain discounted broadband service and one-time co-pay for a 
connected device (laptop, desktop computer or tablet). This program was 
created specifically to assist American families' access to broadband, 
which has proven to be essential for work, school, and healthcare 
during the public health emergency that exists as a result of COVID-19. 
A household may qualify for the EBBP benefit under various criteria, 
including an individual qualifying for the FCC's Lifeline program.
    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 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 directs the FCC to 
leverage the National Verifier to verify applicants' eligibility for 
EBBP. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility 
of EBBP applicants and subscribers by determining whether they receive 
Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits 
administered by the New Mexico Human Services Department. Under FCC 
rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify for Lifeline 
discounts and also for EBBP benefits.

Participating Non-Federal Agencies

    New Mexico Human Services Department.

Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    The authority for the FCC's EBBP is Consolidated Appropriations Act 
of 2021, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182; 47 CFR part 54. The 
authority for the FCC's Lifeline program is 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. The 
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 directs the FCC to leverage the 
National Verifier to verify applicants' eligibility for EBBP.
    The purpose of this modified matching agreement is to verify the 
eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline (existing 
purpose), as well as to the new EBBP and to other Federal programs that 
use qualification for Lifeline as an eligibility criterion. This new 
agreement would replace the existing agreement with New Mexico, which 
permits matching only for the Lifeline program by checking an 
applicant's/subscriber's participation in SNAP or Medicaid. Under FCC 
rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify for Lifeline 
discounts and also for EBBP 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 EBBP benefits; are currently receiving 
Lifeline and/or EBBP benefits; are individuals who enable another 
individual in their household to qualify for Lifeline and/or EBBP 
benefits; are minors whose status qualifies a parent or guardian for 
Lifeline and/or EBBP benefits; or are individuals who have received 
Lifeline and/or EBBP benefits.

Categories of Records

    The categories of records involved in the matching program include, 
but are not limited to, the last four digits of the applicant's Social 
Security Number, date of birth, and last name. The National Verifier 
will transfer these data elements to the New Mexico Human Services 
Department which will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the 
individual is enrolled in a qualifying assistance program: New Mexico 
Human Services Department, SNAP or Medicaid.

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 86 FR 11526 (Feb. 25, 2021).
    The records shared as part of this matching program reside in the 
EBBP system of records, FCC/WCB-3, Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, 
which was published in the Federal Register at 86 FR 11523 (Feb. 25, 
2021).

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-13218 Filed 6-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P