[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 43 (Monday, March 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13372-13373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04683]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[FR ID: 17538]


Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice of re-establishment of four matching programs.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended 
(``Privacy Act''), this document announces the establishment of 
computer matching programs the Federal Communications Commission 
(``FCC'' or ``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and the Universal Service 
Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the State of Missouri's 
Department of Social Services (MDSS); North Carolina's Department of 
Health and Human Services (NCDHHS); Pennsylvania's Department of Human 
Services (PDHS); and Tennessee's Department of Human Services (TDHS). 
(``Agencies''). The purpose of these four matching programs is to 
verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of the 
Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline program, which is 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 April 7, 2021. This 
computer matching program will commence on April 7, 2021, and will 
conclude 18 months later.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Margaret Drake, FCC, 45 L Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20554, or [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, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), 
Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), 
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, and/or various Tribal-specific 
federal assistance programs. 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 purpose of these particular 
matching programs is to verify Lifeline eligibility by establishing 
that applicants or subscribers in Missouri, North Carolina, 
Pennsylvania and Tennessee are enrolled in the SNAP and/or Medicaid 
programs.

Participating Non-Federal Agencies

     Missouri Department of Social Services (MDSS);
     North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services 
(NCDHHS);
     Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PDHS); and
     Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS).

Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    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.

Categories of Individuals

    The categories of individuals whose information is involved in the 
four matching programs include, but are not limited to, those 
individuals (residing in a single household) who have applied for 
Lifeline benefits; are currently receiving Lifeline benefits; are 
individuals who enable another individual in their household to qualify 
for Lifeline benefits; are minors whose status qualifies a parent or 
guardian for Lifeline benefits; are individuals who have received 
Lifeline benefits; or are individuals acting on behalf of an eligible 
telecommunications carrier (ETC) who have enrolled individuals in the 
Lifeline program.

[[Page 13373]]

Categories of Records

    The categories of records involved in the four matching programs 
include, but are not limited to, the last four digits of the Lifeline 
applicant's Social Security Number, date of birth, and first name and 
last name. The National Verifier will transfer these data elements to 
the Missouri DSS; North Carolina DHHS; Pennsylvania DHS and the 
Tennessee DHS which will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the 
individual is enrolled in a Lifeline-qualifying assistance program: 
State of Missouri's SNAP and Medicaid; State of North Carolina's SNAP; 
State of Pennsylvania's SNAP and Medicaid; and State of Tennessee's 
SNAP.

System(s) of Records

    The USAC records shared as part of this matching program reside in 
the Lifeline system of records, FCC/WCB-1, Lifeline Program, a notice 
of which the FCC published at 86 FR 11526 (Feb. 25, 2021).

    Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-04683 Filed 3-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P