[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 15, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 49864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20739]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Computer Matching Program Between the Department of Veterans 
Affairs and the Department of Defense

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of computer matching program.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA) intends to conduct a recurring computer matching program. This 
will match personnel records of the Department of Defense (DOD) with VA 
records of benefit recipients under the Montgomery GI Bill.
    The goal of these matches is to identify the eligibility status of 
veterans, servicemembers, and reservists who have applied for or who 
are receiving education benefit payments under the Montgomery GI Bill. 
The purpose of the match is to enable VA to verify that individuals 
meet the conditions of military service and eligibility criteria for 
payment of benefits determined by VA under the Montgomery GI 
Bill__Active Duty (MGIB) and the Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve 
(MGIB-09SR).

DATES: This match will commence on or about September 14, 2000. At the 
expiration of 18 months after the commencing date the departments may 
renew the agreement for another 12 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Weeks (224), Acting Assistant 
Director for Procedures and Systems, Education Service, Veterans 
Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, (202) 273-7181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Further information regarding the matching 
program is provided below. This information is required by paragraph 6c 
of the ``Guidelines on the Conduct of Matching Programs'' issued by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) (54 FR 25818), as amended by OMB 
Circular A-130, 61 FR 6435 (1996). A copy of this has been provided to 
both Houses of Congress and the Office of Management and Budget. The 
matching program is subject to their review.
    a. Names of participating agencies: Department of Defense and 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
    b. Purpose of the match: The purpose of the match is to enable VA 
to determine whether an applicant is eligible for payment of benefits 
under the MGIB or the MGIB-SR and to verify continued compliance with 
the requirements of both programs.
    c. Authority: The authority to conduct this match is found in 38 
U.S.C. 3684A(a)(1).
    d. Categories of records and individuals covered: The records 
covered include eligibility records extracted from DOD personnel files 
and benefit records that VA establishes for all individuals who have 
applied for and/or are receiving, or have received education benefit 
payments under the Montgomery GI Bill. These benefit records are 
contained in a VA system of records identified as 58VA21/22 entitled: 
Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records--VA, first 
published in the Federal Register at 41 FR 924 (March 3, 1976), and 
last amended at 63 FR 37941 (July 14, 1998), with other amendments as 
cited therein.
    e. Inclusive dates of the matching program: The match will begin on 
September 14, 2000 or 40 days after the OMB review period, whichever is 
later and continue in effect for 18 months.
    f. Address for receipt of public inquiries or comments: Interested 
individuals may submit written comments to the Director, Office of 
Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Avenue, NW., Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments will be 
available for public inspection at the above address in the Office of 
Regulations Management, Room 1158, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

    Approved: August 2, 2000.
Hershel W. Gober,
Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 00-20739 Filed 8-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P