[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12167-12168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04421]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[FR ID: 74524]


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 a new computer matching 
program the Federal Communications Commission (``FCC'' or 
``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and the Universal Service Administrative 
Company (USAC) will conduct with the Virginia Department of Social 
Services (``Department'') (``Agency''). The purpose of this matching 
program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers 
of Lifeline, and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), 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 April 4, 2022. This 
computer matching program will commence on April 4, 2022, and will 
conclude 18 months after the effective date.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Oliver at 202-418-1732 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lifeline program provides support for 
discounted broadband and voice services to low-income consumers.

[[Page 12168]]

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.
    In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260, 
134 stat. 1182, 2129-36 (2020) (codified at 47 U.S.C. 1301 nt.), 
Congress created the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, and directed 
use of the National Verifier to determine eligibility based on various 
criteria, including the qualifications for Lifeline (Medicaid, SNAP, 
etc.). EBBP provided $3.2 billion in monthly consumer discounts for 
broadband service and one-time provider reimbursement for a connected 
device (laptop, desktop computer or tablet). In the Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, 135 stat. 429, 1238-44 
(2021) (codified at 47 U.S.C. 1751-52), Congress modified and extended 
EBBP, provided an additional $14.2 billion, and renamed it the 
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). A household may qualify for the 
ACP 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 
ACP. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility 
of Lifeline and ACP applicants and subscribers by determining whether 
they receive Medicaid or SNAP benefits administered by the Virginia 
Department of Social Services.
    Participating Agencies: Virginia Department of Social Services.
    Authority for Conducting the Matching Program: The authority for 
the FCC's ACP is Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 
117-58, 135 stat. 429, 1238-44 (2021) (codified at 47 U.S.C. 1751-52); 
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): The purpose of this modified matching agreement is to 
verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline, as 
well as to ACP and other Federal programs that use qualification for 
Lifeline as an eligibility criterion. This new agreement will permit 
eligibility verification for the Lifeline program and ACP by checking 
an applicant's/subscriber's participation in Medicaid and SNAP in 
Virginia. Under FCC rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify 
for Lifeline discounts and also for ACP 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 ACP 
benefits; are currently receiving Lifeline and/or ACP benefits; are 
individuals who enable another individual in their household to qualify 
for Lifeline and/or ACP benefits; are minors whose status qualifies a 
parent or guardian for Lifeline and/or ACP benefits; or are individuals 
who have received Lifeline and/or ACP 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 
Virginia Department of Social Services, which will respond either 
``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is enrolled in a qualifying 
assistance program: Medicaid or SNAP administered by the Virginia 
Department of Social Services.
    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 
ACP system of records, FCC/WCB-3, Affordable Connectivity Program, 
which was published in the Federal Register at 86 FR 71494 (Dec. 16, 
2021).

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-04421 Filed 3-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P