[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 5122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1148]



[[Page 5122]]

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of Computer Match Program.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. section 552a, the Privacy Act of 1974, as 
amended, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines on 
the Conduct of Matching Programs, notice is hereby given that the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to conduct a computer 
matching program with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Data from the 
proposed match will be utilized to verify the unearned income (i.e. 
interest, dividends, etc.) of nonservice-connected veterans, and zero 
percent noncompensable service-connected veterans, whose eligibility 
for VA medical care is based on their inability to defray the cost of 
medical care. These veterans supply household income information that 
includes their spouses and dependents at the time of application for VA 
health care benefits.

DATES: Effective Date: This match will start no sooner than 30 days 
after publication in the Federal Register, unless comments dictate 
otherwise.

ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand-deliver written comments to: Director, 
Regulations Management (00REG1), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20420, Room 1068; fax to (202)273-9026; or e-mail through http://www.Regulations.gov. All comments received will be available for public 
inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Room 
1063B, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday 
(except holidays). Please call (202) 273-9515 for an appointment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary M. Baker, Director, Health 
Eligibility Center (404) 235-1300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. General

    The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 Public Law 
(Pub. L. 100-503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by 
describing the manner in which computer matching involving Federal 
agencies could be performed and adding certain protections for 
individuals applying for and receiving Federal benefits. Section 7201 
of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, Public Law 101-508, 
further amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such 
individuals.
    The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching 
by Federal agencies when records in a system of records are matched 
with other Federal, State, or local government records. It requires 
Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs to:
    (1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies 
participating in the matching programs;
    (2) Obtain the approval of the matching agreement by the Data 
Integrity Boards (DIB) of the participating Federal agencies;
    (3) Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress 
and OMB;
    (4) Notify applicants and beneficiaries that their records are 
subject to matching; and
    (5) Verify matching findings before reducing, suspending, 
terminating or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

B. VHA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

    We have taken action to ensure that all of VHA's computer matching 
programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended.

    Approved: January 24, 2006.
Gordon H. Mansfield,
Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E6-1148 Filed 1-30-06; 8:45 am]
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