| Publication Date: November 2002 FRPart: |
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| RegPartsAffected: |
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Page Numbers: 70116-70117
Notice of Computer Matching Program
[Federal Register: November 20, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 224)]
[Notices]
[Page 70116-70117]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20no02-125]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Notice of Computer Matching Program.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. section 552a, the Privacy Act of 1974, as
amended, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines on
the Conduct of Matching Programs, notice is hereby given that the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to conduct a computer
matching program with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Data from the
proposed match will be utilized to verify the unearned income (i.e.,
interest, dividends, etc.) of nonservice-connected veterans, and those
veterans who are zero percent service-connected (noncompensable), whose
eligibility for VA medical care is based on their inability to defray
the cost of medical care. These veterans supply household income
information that includes their spouses and dependents at the time of
application for VA health care benefits.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This match will start no sooner than 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register, unless comments dictate otherwise.
ADDRESSES: Interested individuals may submit written comments to the
Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Room 1154, Washington, DC
20420. All written comments will be available for public inspection at
the above address in the Office of Regulations Management, Room 1158,
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen E. Watkins, Assistant
Director,
[[Page 70117]]
Income Verification Division, Health Eligibility Center, (404) 235-1340.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Veterans Affairs has a
statutory authorization under 38 U.S.C. 5317, 38 U.S.C. 5106, 26 U.S.C.
6103 (1)(7)(D)(viii) and 5 U.S.C. 552a to establish matching agreements
and request and use income information from other agencies for purposes
of verification of income for determining eligibility for benefits. 38
U.S.C. 1710 (a)(2) (G), identifies those veterans whose basic
eligibility for medical care benefits is dependent upon their financial
status. Eligibility for nonservice-connected and zero percent
noncompensable service-connected veterans is determined based on the
veteran's inability to defray the expenses for necessary care as
defined in 38 U.S.C. 1722. This determination can impact their
responsibility to participate in the cost of their care through
copayments and their assignment to an enrollment priority group.
The goal of this match is to obtain IRS unearned income information
data needed for the income verification process. The VA records
involved in the match are ``Healthcare Eligibility Records'' (89VA19).
The IRS records are from the Wage and Information Returns (IRP) Master
File, Privacy Act System, Treasury IRS 22.061. A copy of this notice
has been sent to both Houses of Congress and OMB.
This matching agreement expires June 30, 2003. The matches will not
continue past the legislative authorized date to obtain this
information.
Approved: November 4, 2002.
Anthony J. Principi,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 02-29375 Filed 11-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P