[Federal Register: April 22, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 78)] [Notices] [Page 17690-17691] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Computer Matching Program; Notice AGENCY: Department of Education (ED). ACTION: Notice of computer matching program between the U. S. Department of Education and the U. S. Postal Service (USPS). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Subsection (e)(12) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100- 503), requires agencies to publish advance notice of computer matching programs as a means of informing benefit recipients/employees of plans to conduct computer matches. This publishes notice that ED proposes to conduct a computer matching program with the USPS. The matching program will compare USPS payroll and ED debtor records to identify postal employees delinquently indebted to the federal government under certain programs administered by ED. ED will contact affected employees and will take appropriate steps to collect those debts under the salary offset provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-365) when voluntary payment is not made. DATES: Comments must be received May 22, 1996. Unless comments are received that result in a contrary determination, the matching program covered by this notice will begin no sooner than 40 days after the computer matching agreement and this notice have been sent to the Congress and the Office of Management and Budget. ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the U. S. Department of Education, Washington Service Center, Attention: USPS CMA Comments, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-5320. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Demetrius V. Windom, (202) 708-4774. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Education expects that this computer matching program will enable it to obtain current home and work addresses for 6,000 USPS employees having student loan obligations held by ED. ED has collected approximately $3 million from previous matches with the USPS, and expects to recover from the 1996 match $10.4 million over an average repayment period of five years. Set forth below is a description of the computer matching program proposed by this notice in compliance with OMB Bulletin No. 89-22, ``Instructions on Reporting Computer Matching Programs to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Congress and the Public''. Report of Computer Matching Program--U. S. Department of Education and U. S. Postal Service (Comparing ED Debtor Records and USPS Payroll) A. Participating Agencies The U. S. Postal Service (USPS) is the recipient agency and will perform the computer match with debtor records provided by the Department of Education (ED), the source agency in this matching program. B. Purposes of the Matching Program This matching program will compare USPS payroll and ED delinquent debtor files for the purposes of identifying postal employees who may owe delinquent debts to the federal government under programs administered by the Department of Education. The pay of an employee identified and verified as a delinquent debtor may be offset under the provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982 when voluntary payment is not made. C. Legal Authorities Authorizing Operation of the Match This matching program will be undertaken under the authority of the Debt Collection Act of 1982 (P. L. 97-365) which authorizes federal agencies to offset a federal employee's salary as a means of satisfying delinquent debts owed to the United States. D. Categories of Individuals Matched and Identification of Records Used The following systems of records, maintained by the participant agencies under the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, will be used to disclose records for this matching program: 1. USPS' ``Finance Records--Payroll System, USPS 050-020,'' containing records for approximately 800,000 employees. [Disclosure will be made pursuant to routine use No. 24 of USPS 050-020, which last appeared in the Federal Register on December 4, 1992 (57 FR 57515).] 2. ED's ``Title IV Program Files'' (18-40-0024), containing debt records for approximately 3,000,000 borrowers. [A notice of this system was last published in the Federal Register on April 12, 1994 (59 FR 17351).] E. Description of the Matching Program ED will provide USPS a magnetic computer tape containing the names and social security numbers (SSN) of its loan defaulters. By computer, the USPS will compare that information with its payroll files, establishing matched individuals (i.e., ``hits'') on the basis of [[Page 17691]] like SSNs. For each matched individual, the USPS will provide to ED the name, SSN, home address and work location. The identity and debtor status of an individual will be verified by ED through a review of its manual application and payment files and independent inquiries as needed. In all cases of mismatched names or SSN's, ED's regional personnel will confirm identity through individual file check and/or external sources such as the Social Security Administration. If identity is established, ED's computer system will ascertain the current repayment status for the account, eliminating from subsequent follow-up those accounts that are in repayment status, recently paid in full or otherwise resolved. The Debt Collection Act requires ED to give debtors advance notice of offset and an opportunity to contest the alleged debt. The Department's offset procedures include providing the debtor employee with the following notice and opportunities: 1. A 65-day written notice of the Department of Education's determination of the debt and an explanation of the debtor employee's rights under the Debt Collection Act; 2. An opportunity to inspect and copy records relating to the debt; 3. An opportunity to enter into a written agreement establishing a repayment schedule; and 4. An opportunity to a hearing on the existence or amount of the debt and on the terms of any involuntary repayment schedule. Involuntary offsets will be made only after ED has afforded the debtor these opportunities and certified over the signature of an authorized agency official that all due process procedures have been followed. F. Beginning and Ending Dates of the Matching Program The matching program is expected to begin in May 1996 and to continue in effect for a period not to exceed 18 months. The agreement may be extended for one additional year beyond that period, if within 90 days prior to the actual expiration date of the matching agreement, the Data Integrity Boards of both the USPS and ED find that the computer matching program will be conducted without change and each party certifies that the matching program has been conducted in compliance with the matching agreement. Dated: April 17, 1996. David A. Longanecker, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. [FR Doc. 96-9818 Filed 4-19-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P