[Federal Register: October 30, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 210)]
[Notices]
[Page 61811-61812]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30oc03-69]
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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: ACF, HHS.
ACTION: Notice of a computer matching program.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended by Pub.
L. 100-503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988,
we are publishing a notice of a computer matching program. The purpose
of this computer match is to identify specific individuals who are
receiving payments pursuant to various benefit programs administered by
both HHS and 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 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
records and SPAA records.
DATES: ACF will file a report of the subject matching program with the
Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on
Government Reform and Oversight of the House of Representatives, and
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with 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 20447. 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 20447. Telephone Number (202) 401-7237.
[[Page 61812]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pub. L. 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 which 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 Pub. L.
100-503.
Dated: October 17, 2003.
Curtis L. Coy,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, ACF.
Notice of Computer Matching Program
A. Participating Agencies
VA and the SPAAs.
B. Purpose of the Match
To identify specific individuals who are receiving benefits from 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 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602).
D. Records to be Matched
VA will disclose records from its Privacy Act system of records
entitled ``Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation
Records'' (58 VA 21/22 first published at 41 FR 9294 (March 3, 1976),
and last amended at 66 FR 47727 (September 13, 2001)). 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 to Needy Families (TANF), 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 others by written request to
terminate or modify the agreement.
[FR Doc. 03-27356 Filed 10-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M