[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36744-36745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14961]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[FR ID: 37364]


Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice of a New Matching Program.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended 
(``Privacy Act''), this document announces the establishment of a 
computer matching program the Federal

[[Page 36745]]

Communications Commission (``FCC'' or ``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and 
the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with 
the Virginia Department of Social Services (Department). The purpose of 
this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and 
subscribers of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which is 
administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC, or other federal 
programs that use qualification for the FCC's Lifeline Program as an 
eligibility criterion. More information about this program is provided 
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

DATES: Written comments are due on or before August 12, 2021. This 
computer matching program will commence on August 12, 2021, and will 
conclude 18 months after becoming effective.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Margaret Drake, FCC, 45 L Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20554, or to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Drake at 202-417-1707 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program 
(EBBP) was established by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations 
Act of 2021, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182. EBBP is a program that 
will help low-income Americans obtain discounted broadband service and 
one-time co-pay for a connected device (laptop, desktop computer or 
tablet). This program was created specifically to assist American 
families' access to broadband, which has proven to be essential for 
work, school, and healthcare during the public health emergency that 
exists as a result of COVID-19. A household may qualify for the EBBP 
benefit under various criteria, including an individual qualifying for 
the FCC's Lifeline program.
    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 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 
directs the FCC to leverage the National Verifier to verify applicants' 
eligibility for EBBP. The purpose of this matching program is to verify 
the eligibility of EBBP applicants and subscribers by determining 
whether they receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 
and Medicaid benefits administered by the Virginia Department. Under 
FCC rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify for Lifeline 
discounts and also for EBBP benefits.

Participating Non-Federal Agencies

    Virginia Department of Social Services (Department).

Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, Public Law 116-260, 134 
Stat. 1182; 47 CFR part 54.

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.
    The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 directs the FCC to 
leverage the National Verifier to verify applicants' eligibility for 
EBBP. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility 
of EBBP applicants and subscribers by determining whether they receive 
SNAP and Medicaid benefits administered by the Virginia Department. 
Under FCC rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify for 
Lifeline discounts and also for EBBP benefits.

Categories of Individuals

    The categories of individuals whose information is involved in the 
matching program include, but are not limited to, those individuals who 
have applied for EBBP benefits; are currently receiving benefits; are 
individuals who enable another individual in their household to qualify 
for EBBP benefits; are minors whose status qualifies a parent or 
guardian for EBBP benefits; or are individuals who have received EBBP 
benefits.

Categories of Records

    The categories of records involved in the matching program include, 
but are not limited to last name, date of birth and the last four 
digits of the applicant's Social Security Number. The National Verifier 
will transfer these data elements to the Virginia Department, which 
will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is enrolled 
in an EBBP-qualifying assistance program: State of Virginia's SNAP and 
Medicaid.

System(s) of Records

    The USAC records shared as part of this matching program reside in 
the EBBP system of records, FCC/WCB-3, Emergency Broadband Benefit 
Program, which was published in the Federal Register at 86 FR 11523 
(Feb. 25, 2021).

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-14961 Filed 7-9-21; 4:15 pm]
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