[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 153 (Thursday, August 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44363-44364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17343]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[FR ID: 42434]


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 modification 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 Iowa Department of 
Human Services (Department). 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 13, 2021. This 
computer matching program will commence on September 13, 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 and 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, Pub. L. 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 (81 FR 33026, May 
24, 2016) (2016 Lifeline Modernization Order), 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) benefits administered 
by the Iowa Department. Under FCC rules, consumers receiving these 
benefits qualify for Lifeline discounts and also for EBBP benefits.

Participating Agencies

    Iowa Department of Human Services.

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 through 54.423; 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,

[[Page 44364]]

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 modified matching agreement is to verify the 
eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline (existing 
purpose), as well as to the new EBBP and to other Federal programs that 
use qualification for Lifeline as an eligibility criterion. This new 
agreement would replace existing agreements with Iowa that permit 
matching for Lifeline and EBBP by checking an applicant's/subscriber's 
participation in SNAP. 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, and last name. The National Verifier 
will transfer these data elements to the Iowa Department which will 
respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is enrolled in a 
qualifying assistance program: Iowa Department of Human Services SNAP.

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.
Cecilia Sigmund,
Associate Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-17343 Filed 8-11-21; 8:45 am]
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