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###### Federal Communications Commission

          - [FR ID: 187883]

# AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

# ACTION:

Notice of a new matching program.

# 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 Minnesota Department of Human Services. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which is administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC. More information about this program is provided in the                         **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**                         section below.                    

# DATES:

Written comments are due on or before January 4, 2024. This computer matching program will commence on January 4, 2024, 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                         *Privacy@fcc.gov.*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Elliot S. Tarloff at 202-418-0886 or                         *Privacy@fcc.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

                    In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182, 2129-36 (2020), Congress created the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program,                           ( print page 84326)                        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 ACP applicants and subscribers by determining whether they receive SNAP and Medicaid benefits administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

## Participating Agencies

Minnesota Department of Human Services (source agency), Federal Communications Commission (recipient agency) and Universal Service Administrative Company.

## Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

The authority to conduct the matching program for the FCC's ACP is 47 U.S.C. 1752(a)-(b).

## Purpose(s)

The purpose of this new matching agreement is to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to ACP and other Federal programs that use qualification for Lifeline as an eligibility criterion. This new agreement will permit eligibility verification for ACP by checking an applicant's/subscriber's participation in the SNAP and Medicaid Program. Under FCC rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify 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 ACP benefits; are currently receiving ACP benefits; or who have received ACP benefits.

## Categories of Records

The categories of records involved in the matching program include the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security Number, date of birth, and first and last name. The National Verifier will transfer these data elements to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, which will respond either “yes” or “no” that the individual is enrolled in a qualifying assistance program: SNAP and Medicaid administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

## System(s) of Records

                    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. 2023-26697 Filed 12-4-23; 8:45 am]

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