FCC Announces New Privacy Act Computer Matching Program

Content

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 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 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 13, 2026. This computer matching program will commence on April 13, 2026, and
will conclude after 18 months.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to Shana Yates, FCC, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554, or to Privacy@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Shana Yates at (202) 418-0683 or Privacy@fcc.gov.

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 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 Federal Public Housing Assistance benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development.

Participating Agencies

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (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) through (b). The authority to conduct
the matching program for the FCC's Lifeline program is 47 U.S.C. 254(a) through (c) and (j).

Purpose(s)

The purpose of this new 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
Federal Public Housing Assistance in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 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 the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security
Number, date of birth, first and last name. The National Verifier will transfer these data elements to the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development which will respond either “yes” or “no” that the individual is enrolled in a qualifying assistance
program: Federal Public Housing Assistance administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

System(s) of Records

The USAC 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 89 FR 28777 (Apr. 19, 2024).

The USAC 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 89 FR 28780 (Apr. 19, 2024).

The HUD records shared as a part of this matching program reside in the Tenant Rental Assistance Certification System (TRACS)
system of records that HUD has designated as HUD/HOU-11, published in the
Federal Register
on July 14, 2023 (88 FR 45234).

The HUD records shared as a part of this matching program reside in the Inventory Management System/Public Housing Information
Center (IMS/PIC) system of records that HUD has designated as HUD/PIH.01, published in the
Federal Register
on March 21, 2023 (88 FR 17005) and modifying the notice published on March 25, 2019 (84 FR 11117).

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2026-04796 Filed 3-11-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P

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