[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 103 (Monday, June 1, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26251-26252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12676]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

ACTION: Notice of a computer matching program.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended by 
Public Law 100-503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 
1988, ACF is publishing a notice of a computer matching program. The 
purpose of this computer match is to identify specific individuals who 
are receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and 
also receiving payments pursuant to various benefit programs 
administered by both the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 
and the Department of Agriculture. ACF will facilitate this program on 
behalf of the State Public Assistance Agencies (SPAAs) that participate 
in the Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) for 
verification of continued eligibility for public assistance. The match 
will utilize VA and SPAA records.

DATES: ACF will file a report of the subject matching program with the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate 
and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 
Representatives and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs 
within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The dates for the 
matching program will be effective as indicated below.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by writing to 
the Director, Office of Financial Services, Office of Administration, 
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20047. All comments 
received will be available for public inspection at this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Office of Financial 
Services, Office of Administration, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 
Washington, DC 20047. Telephone: (202) 401-7237.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Law 100-503, the Computer Matching 
and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 
552a) by adding certain protections for individuals applying for and 
receiving Federal benefits. The law regulates the use of computer 
matching by Federal agencies when records in a system of records are 
matched with other Federal, State, and local government records.
    Federal agencies that provide or receive records in computer 
matching programs must:
    1. Negotiate written agreements with source agencies;
    2. Provide notification to applicants and beneficiaries that their 
records are subject to matching;
    3. Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, or 
terminating an individual's benefits or payments;
    4. Furnish detailed reports to Congress and OMB; and
    5. Establish a Data Integrity Board that must approve matching 
agreements.
    This computer matching program meets the requirements of Public Law 
100-503.

    Dated: 05/27/2009.
Curtis L. Coy,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, ACF.
Notice of Computer Matching Program

A. Participating Agencies
    VA and SPAAs.

B. Purpose of the Match
    To identify specific individuals who are receiving benefits from 
the VA and also receiving payments pursuant to HHS and Department of 
Agriculture benefit programs, and to verify their continued eligibility 
for such benefits. SPAAs will contact affected individuals and seek to 
verify the information resulting from the match before initiating any 
adverse actions based on the match results.

C. Authority for Conducting the Match
    The authority for conducting the matching program is contained in 
section 402(a)(6) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 602(a)(6)].

D. Records to Be Matched
    VA will disclose records from its Privacy Act system of records 
titled, ``Compensation, Pension, Education, and Rehabilitation 
Records--VA (58VA21/22/28)'' last published at 74 FR 14865 on April 1, 
2009. VA's disclosure of information for use in this computer match is 
listed as a routine use in this system of records.
    VA, as the source agency, will prepare electronic files containing 
the names and other personal identifying data of eligible veterans 
receiving benefits. These records are matched electronically against 
SPAA files consisting of data regarding monthly Medicaid, Temporary 
Assistance for Needy Families, general assistance, and Food Stamp 
beneficiaries.
    1. The electronic files provided by the SPAAs will contain client 
names and Social Security Numbers (SSNs).
    2. The resulting output returned to the SPAAs will contain personal 
identifiers, including names, SSNs, employers, current work or home 
addresses, etc.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program
    The effective date of the matching agreement and date when matching 
may actually begin shall be at the expiration of the 40-day review 
period for OMB and Congress, or 30 days after publication of the 
matching notice in the Federal Register, whichever date is later. The 
matching program will be in effect for 18 months from the effective 
date, with an option to renew for 12 additional months, unless one of 
the parties to the agreement advises the

[[Page 26252]]

others by written request to terminate or modify the agreement.

 [FR Doc. E9-12676 Filed 5-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P