[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 11, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44021-44022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17280]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[FR ID: 42433]


Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice of a computer matching program.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended 
(``Privacy Act''), this document announces the notice of a computer 
matching program the Federal Communications Commission (``FCC'' or 
``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and the Universal Service Administrative 
Company (USAC) will conduct with the U.S. Department of Housing and 
Urban Development (HUD) (``Agency''). The purpose of this matching 
program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers 
of Lifeline (existing purpose) and the new Emergency Broadband Benefit 
Program, both of which are 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 September 10, 2021. This 
computer matching program will commence on September 10, 2021, and will 
conclude 18 months after the effective date.

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 202-418-1707 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, or various Tribal-specific federal assistance programs.
    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 helps 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 
Federal Public Housing Assistance benefits administered by the HUD. 
Persons receiving these benefits qualify for Lifeline discounts and 
also for EBBP benefits.

Participating Non-Federal Agencies

    U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    The authority for the FCC's EBBP is Consolidated Appropriations Act 
of 2021, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182; 47 CFR part 54. The 
authority for the FCC's Lifeline program is 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. 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 agreement is to verify the eligibility 
of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline (existing purpose), as well 
as to the new

[[Page 44022]]

EBBP and to other Federal programs that use qualification for Lifeline 
as an eligibility criterion. This new agreement would replace the 
existing agreement with HUD, which permits matching only for the 
Lifeline program by checking an applicant's/subscriber's participation 
in Federal Public Housing Assistance. 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 Lifeline and/or EBBP benefits; are currently receiving 
Lifeline and/or EBBP benefits; are individuals who enable another 
individual in their household to qualify for Lifeline and/or EBBP 
benefits; are minors whose status qualifies a parent or guardian for 
Lifeline and/or EBBP benefits; or are individuals who have received 
Lifeline and/or EBBP benefits.

Categories of Records

    The categories of records involved in the matching program include, 
but are not limited to, the last four digits of the applicant's Social 
Security Number, date of birth, state of residence, and first name and 
last name. The National Verifier will transfer these data elements to 
the Department of Housing and Urban Development which will respond 
either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is enrolled in a 
qualifying assistance program: Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, Federal Public Housing Assistance.

System(s) of Records

    The records shared as part of this matching program reside in the 
Lifeline system of records, FCC/WCB-1, Lifeline, which was published in 
the Federal Register at 86 FR 11526 (Feb. 25, 2021).
    The 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.
Katura Jackson,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-17280 Filed 8-9-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P