[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 27 (Friday, February 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7633-7634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2316]


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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 Social Security Administration (SSA). Data 
from the proposed match will be used to verify the earned income of 
nonservice-connected veterans, and those veterans who are zero percent 
service-connected (noncompensable), 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: Written comments may be submitted by mail or hand-delivery 
to Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; fax to 
(202) 273-9026; e-mail to [email protected]; or, through 
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 (this 
is not a toll free number).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Harbin, Director, Health

[[Page 7634]]

Eligibility Center, (404) 235-1340 (this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Veterans Affairs has 
statutory authorization under 38 U.S.C. 5317, 38 U.S.C. section 5106, 
26 U.S.C. section 6103(l)(7)(D)(viii) and 5 U.S.C. section 552a to 
establish matching agreements and request and use income information 
from other agencies for purposes of verification of income for 
determining eligibility for benefits. 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(2)(G), 
1720(a)(3), and 1710(b) identify those veterans whose basic eligibility 
for medical care benefits is dependent upon their financial status. 
Eligibility for nonservice-connected and zero percent noncompensable 
service-connected veterans is determined based on the veteran's 
inability to defray the expenses for necessary care as defined in 38 
U.S.C. 1722. This determination can affect their responsibility to 
participate in the cost of their care through copayments and their 
assignment to an enrollment priority group.
    The goal of this match is to obtain SSA earned income information 
data needed for the income verification process. The VA records 
involved in the match are ``Health Eligibility Center (HEC) Records'' 
(89VA19). The SSA records are from the Earnings Recording and Self-
Employment Income System, SSA/OEEAS 09-60-0059 and Master Files of 
Social Security Number Holders and SSN Applications, SSA/OEEAS, 60-0058 
(referred to as ``the Numident''). A copy of this notice has been sent 
to both Houses of Congress and OMB.
    This matching agreement expires August 18, 2009. This match will 
not continue past the legislative authorized date to obtain this 
information.

    Dated: January 25, 2008.
Gordon H. Mansfield,
Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E8-2316 Filed 2-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P