[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 29, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59523-59524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18540]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[FR ID: 167038]


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 Department of Health and Human 
Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 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 September 28, 2023. This 
computer matching program will commence on September 28, 2023, and will 
conclude 18 months after the effective date.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elliot S. Tarloff at 202-418-0886 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.
    In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260, 
134 Stat. 1182, 2129-36 (2020), Congress created the Emergency 
Broadband Benefit Program, and directed use of the National Verifier to 
determine eligibility based on various criteria, including the

[[Page 59524]]

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 benefits administered by the Department of Health 
and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Participating Agencies

    Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services; Federal Communications Commission.

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. 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, first and last name, and state of 
residence. The National Verifier will transfer these data elements to 
the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services, which will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the 
individual is enrolled in a qualifying assistance program: Medicaid 
administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers 
for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

System(s) of Records

    The CMS System of Records Notice (SORN) that supports this matching 
program is ``Transformed--Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-
MSIS)'', System No. 09-07-0541, last published in full at 84 FR 2230 
(February 16, 2019).
    The FCC SORNs that support this matching program are: (1) ``FCC/
WCB-1,'' Lifeline, which was published in the Federal Register at 86 FR 
11526 (Feb. 25, 2021); and (2) ``FCC/WCB-3,'' Affordable Connectivity 
Program, which was published in the Federal Register at 86 FR 71494 
(Dec. 16, 2021).

Federal Communications Commission.
Katura Jackson,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-18540 Filed 8-28-23; 8:45 am]
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