[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 149 (Thursday, August 3, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39751-39752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-19113]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Programs--Department of 
Veterans Affairs

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, DHHS.

ACTION: Notice of a Computer Matching Program to Comply with Public Law 
(Pub. L.) 100-503, the computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 
1988.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with Public Law (Pub. L.) 100-503, the Computer 
Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, the Administration for 
Children and Families (ACF) will conduct a computer matching program on 
behalf of itself, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), and 
the Food and Consumer Service (FCS) utilizing Veterans Affairs pension 
and compensation information. The ACF will also work with the Kansas 
Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (KDSRS), the Nebraska 
Department of Social Services (NDSS), the Pennsylvania Department of 
Public Welfare (PDPW), and the Texas Department of Human Services 
(TDHS) using public assistance client records.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by writing to 
the Acting Director, Office of Information Systems Management, 
Administration for Children and Families, Aerospace Building, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20047. All comments received 
will also be available for public inspection at this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Acting Director, Office of Information Systems Management, 
Administration for Children and Families, Aerospace Building, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone Number (202) 
401-6960.

DATES: ACF filed a report of the subject matching program with the 
Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, the House Committee on 
Government Reform and Oversight, and the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, at the Office of Management and Budget on July 31, 
1995.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. General

    Pub. L. 100-503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act 
of 1988, amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by adding certain 
protections for individuals applying for and receiving Federal 
benefits. The law regulates the use of computer matching by Federal 
agencies when records in a system of records are matched with other 
Federal, State and local government records.
    The amendments require Federal agencies involved in computer 
matching programs to:
    (1) Negotiate written agreements with source agencies;
    (2) Provide notification to applicants and beneficiaries that their 
records are subject to matching;
    (3) Verify match findings before reducing, suspending or 
terminating an individual's benefits or payments;
    (4) Furnish detailed reports to Congress and OMB; and
    (5) Establish a Data Integrity Board that must approve matching 
agreements.

B. ACF Computer Match Subject to Pub. L. 100-503

    Below is a brief description followed by a detailed notice of a 
computer match that ACF will be conducting as of August 31, 1995 or 
later.
    ACF computer match with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 
Purpose: To detect and determine the amount of benefit overpayment to 
public assistance recipients by verifying client VA pension and 
compensation circumstances using VA automated data files.

    Dated: July 31, 1995.
Mary Jo Bane,
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
Notice of Computer Matching Program

    The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services 
(KDSRS), Nebraska Department of Social Services (NDSS), Pennsylvania 
Department of Public Welfare (PDPW) and Texas Department of Human 
Services (TDHS) public assistance client record matching with VA 
compensation and pension records.

A. Participating Agencies

    ACF, VA, KDSRS, NDSS, PDPW and TDHS.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

    The purpose of this matching program is to provide KDSRS, NDSS, 
PDPW and TDHS with data from the VA benefit and compensation file. 
KDSRS, NDSS, PDPW and TDHS will provide ACF with a file of Medicaid, 
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), general assistance and 
Food Stamp clients. VA will provide ACF with a file of individuals 
receiving VA compensation and pension benefits. ACF, on behalf of 
itself, HCFA, and FCS will match the KDSRS, NDSS, PDPW and TDHS files 
with the VA file and provide KDSRS, NDSS, PDPW and TDHS with VA pension 
and compensation benefit information. KDSRS, NDSS, PDPW and TDHS will 
use the VA information to determine the value of using VA information 
to verify client circumstances and to initiate adverse action when 
appropriate.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    ACF, HCFA, and FCS have an obligation to assist State Public 
Assistance Agencies in their efforts to verify client circumstances 
when determining an applicant's eligibility for public assistance 
benefits. The most cost-effective and efficient way to verify 

[[Page 39752]]
client declarations of income circumstances is by means of a computer 
match.

D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Match

    VA will disclose information from the VA Compensation, Pension, and 
Education and Rehabilitation Records--VA (58 VA 21/22), contained in 
the Privacy Act Issuances, 1989 compilation, Volume II, Pages 918-922 
and as amended in Federal Register 56 FR 15667, April 17, 1991.
    ACF will match this information with KDSRS, NDSS, PDPW and TDHS 
Client Eligibility files.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Match

    This computer match will begin no sooner than September 5, 1995, or 
30 days from the date copies of the approved agreement, and the notice 
of the matching program are sent to the Congressional committee of 
jurisdiction under subsections (O)(2)(B) and (r) of the Privacy Act, as 
amended, or 30 days from the date the approved agreement is sent to 
OMB, whichever is later, provided no comments are received which result 
in a contrary determination. This is a one-time match and is not 
subject to renewal.

F. Address for Receipt of Public Comments or Inquiries

    Individuals wishing to comment on this matching program should 
submit comments to the Acting Director, Office of Information Systems 
Management, Administration for Children and Families, Aerospace 
Building, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Washington, DC 20447.

[FR Doc. 95-19113 Filed 8-2-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M