[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70610-70613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27664]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA-2019-0055]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and
Comment Request
The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of
information collection packages requiring clearance by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with Public Law 104-13, the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, effective October 1, 1995. This notice
includes revisions of OMB-approved information collections.
SSA is soliciting comments on the accuracy of the agency's burden
estimate; the need for the information; its practical utility; ways to
enhance its quality, utility, and clarity; and ways to minimize burden
on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. Mail, email, or fax your
comments and recommendations on the information collection(s) to the
OMB Desk Officer and SSA Reports Clearance Officer at the following
addresses or fax numbers.
(OMB) Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA,
Fax: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected]
(SSA) Social Security Administration, OLCA, Attn: Reports Clearance
Director, 3100 West High Rise, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD
21235, Fax: 410-966-2830, Email address: [email protected].
Or you may submit your comments online through www.regulations.gov,
referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-2019-0055].
I. The information collections below are pending at SSA. SSA will
submit them to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. To be
sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than
February 21, 2020. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection
instruments by writing to the above email address.
1. Continuing Disability Review Report--20 CFR 404.1589 & 416.989--
0960-0072. Sections 221(i), 1614(a)(3)(H)(ii)(I) and 1633(c)(1) of the
Social Security Act requires SSA to periodically review the cases of
individuals who receive benefits under Title II or Title XVI, based on
disability, to determine if disability continues. SSA uses Form SSA-
454, Continuing Disability Review Report to complete the review for
continued disability. SSA considers adults eligible for payment if they
continue to be unable to do substantial gainful activity because of
their impairments; and we consider Title XVI children eligible for
payment if they have marked and severe functional limitations due to
their impairments. SSA also uses Form SSA-454 to obtain information on
sources of medical treatment; participation in vocational
rehabilitation programs (if any); attempts to work (if any); and the
opinions of individuals regarding whether their conditions have
improved. The respondents are Title II or Title XVI disability
recipients or their representatives.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
[[Page 70611]]
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Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
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SSA-454-BK (Paper version).............................. 270,500 1 60 270,500 * $10.22 ** $2,764,510
Electronic Disability Collect System.................... 270,500 1 60 270,500 * 10.22 ** 2,764,510
(EDCS)..................................................
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Totals.............................................. 541,000 .............. .............. 541,000 .............. ** 5,529,020
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* We based this figure on average DI payments, as reported in SSA's disability insurance payment data.
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
respondents to complete the application.
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)--Quality Review Case
Analysis--0960-0133. To assess the Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
program and ensure the accuracy of its payments, SSA conducts legally
mandated periodic SSI case analysis quality reviews. SSA uses Form SSA-
8508-BK, and the electronic Excel application version, e8505, to
conduct these reviews, collecting information on operating efficiency;
the quality of underlying policies; and the effect of incorrect
payments. SSA also uses the data to determine SSI program payment
accuracy rate, which is a performance measure for the agency's service
delivery goals. Respondents are the recipients of SSI payments which
SSA randomly selects for quality reviews. Type of Request: Revision of
an OMB-approved information collection.
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Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
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SSA-8508-BK (paper interview)........................... 230 1 60 230 * $10.22 ** $2,351
e8508 (electronic interview)............................ 4,370 1 60 4,370 * 10.22 ** 44,661
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Totals.............................................. 4,600 .............. .............. 4,600 .............. ** 47,012
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* We based this figure on average DI payments, as reported in SSA's disability insurance payment data.
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
respondents to complete the application.
3. Employer Reports of Special Wage Payments--20 CFR 404.428--
404.429--0960-0565. SSA collects information on the SSA-131 to prevent
earnings-related overpayments, and to avoid erroneous withholding of
benefits. SSA field offices and program service centers also use Form
SSA-131 for awards and post-entitlement events requiring special wage
payment verification from employers. While we need this information to
ensure the correct payment of benefits, we do not require employers to
respond. The respondents are large and small businesses that make
special wage payments to retirees. Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-
approved information collection.
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Average
Average Estimated theoretical Total annual
Number of Frequency burden per total hourly opportunity
Modality of completion respondents of response response annual cost cost
(minutes) burden amount (dollars) **
(hours) (dollars) *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper Version: SSA-131......... 105,000 1 20 35,000 * $36.65 $1,282,750
(without #6)...................
Paper Version: SSA-131 (#6 1,050 1 2 35 * 36.65 ** 1,283
only).........................
Electronic Version: Business 26 1 5 2 * 36.65 ** 73
Services Online Special Wage
Payments......................
Totals..................... 106,076 ........... ........... 35,037 ........... ** 1,284,106
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* We based this figure on average Budget Analysts hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to
complete this application; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents
will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the application.
4. Consent Based Social Security Number Verification Process--20
CFR 400.100--0960-0760. The Consent Based Social Security Number
Verification (CBSV) process is a fee-based automated Social Security
number (SSN) verification service available to private businesses and
other requesting parties. To use the system, private businesses and
requesting parties must register with SSA and obtain valid consent from
SSN holders prior to verification. We collect the information to verify
if the submitted name and SSN match the information in SSA records.
After completing a registration process and paying the fee, the
requesting party can use the CBSV process to submit a file containing
the names of number holders who gave valid consent, along with each
number holder's accompanying SSN and date of birth (if available) to
obtain real-time results using a web service application or SSA's
Business Services Online (BSO) application. SSA matches the information
against the SSA master file
[[Page 70612]]
of SSNs, using SSN, name, date of birth, and gender code (if
available). The requesting party retrieves the results file from SSA,
which indicates only a match or no match for each SSN submitted.
Under the CBSV process, the requesting party does not submit the
consent forms of the number holders to SSA. SSA requires each
requesting party to retain a valid consent form for each SSN
verification request. The requesting party retains the consent forms in
either electronic or paper format.
SSA added a strong audit component to ensure the integrity of the
CBSV process. At the discretion of the agency, we require audits
(called ``compliance reviews'') with the requesting party paying all
audit costs. Independent certified public accounts (CPAs) conduct these
reviews to ensure compliance with all the terms and conditions of the
party's agreement with SSA, including a review of the consent forms.
CPAs conduct the reviews at the requesting party's place of business to
ensure the integrity of the process. In addition, SSA reserves the
right to perform unannounced onsite inspections of the entire process,
including review of the technical systems that maintain the data and
transaction records. The respondents to the CBSV collection are the
participating companies; members of the public who consent to the SSN
verification; and CPAs who provide compliance review services.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Time Burden
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Average Total
Average Estimated theoretical annual
Number of Frequency Number of burden per total hourly opportunity
Requirement respondents of response responses response annual cost cost
(minutes) burden amount (dollars)
(hours) (dollars) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participating Companies
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Registration process for new participating companies......... *** 10 1 10 120 20 * $36.98 ** $740
Creation of file with SSN holder identification data; 80 **** 251 20,080 60 20,080 * 36.98 ** 742,558
maintaining required documentation/forms....................
Using the system to upload request file, check status, and 80 251 20,080 5 1,673 * 36.98 ** 61,868
download results file.......................................
Storing Consent Forms........................................ 80 251 20,080 60 20,080 * 36.98 ** 742,558
Activities related to compliance review...................... 80 251 20,080 60 20,080 * 36.98 ** 742,558
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Totals................................................... 330 ........... 80,330 ........... 61,933 ........... **
2,290,282
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Participating Companies Who Opt for External Testing Environment (ETE)
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ETE Registration Process (includes reviewing and completing 30 1 1 180 90 * 36.98 ** 3,328
ETE User Agreement).........................................
Web Service Transactions..................................... 30 50 1,500 1 25 * 36.98 ** 925
Reporting Issues Encountered on Web service testing (e.g., 30 50 1,500 1 25 * 36.98 ** 925
reports on application's reliability).......................
Reporting changes in users' status (e.g., termination or 30 1 1 60 30 * 36.98 ** 1,109
changes in users' employment status; changes in duties of
authorized users)...........................................
Cancellation of Agreement.................................... 30 1 1 30 15 * 36.98 ** 555
Dispute Resolution........................................... 30 1 1 120 60 * 36.98 ** 2,219
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Totals................................................... 180 ........... 3,004 ........... 245 ........... ** 9,061
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People Whose SSNs SSA Will Verify
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Reading and signing authorization for SSA to release SSN 2,500,000 1 2,500,000 3 125,000 * 10.22 **
verification (Form SSA-89).................................. 1,277,500
Responding to CPA re-contact................................. 4,000 1 4,000 5 333 * 36.98 ** 12,314
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Totals................................................... 2,504,000 ........... 2,504,000 ........... 125,333 ........... **
1,289,814
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* We based these figures on average Business and Financial operations occupations hourly salaries, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and
per average DI payments, as reported in SSA's disability insurance payment data.
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
respondents to complete the application.
*** One-time registration process/approximately 10 new participating companies per year.
**** Please note there are 251 Federal business days per year on which a requesting party could submit a file.
There is one CPA respondent conducting compliance reviews and
preparing written reports of findings. The average burden per the 80
responses is 4,800 minutes for a total burden of 6,400 hours annually.
Cost Burden
The public cost burden is dependent upon the number of companies
and transactions per year. In FY 2019, 80 companies enrolled; 80
companies submitted an advance; and 70 actually performed
verifications. The cost estimates below are based upon 80 participating
companies in FY 2019 (includes an average of 10 new companies per year
since 2016) submitting a total of 2,500,000 transactions.
One-Time Per Company Registration Fee: $5,000.
Estimated Per SSN Transaction Fee: $1.00.
Estimated Per Company Cost to Store Consent Forms: $300.
II. SSA submitted the information collections below to OMB for
clearance. Your comments regarding these information collections would
be most useful if OMB and SSA receive them 30 days from the date of
this publication. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive
them no later than January 22, 2020. Individuals can obtain copies of
the OMB clearance packages by writing to [email protected].
1. Missing and Discrepant Wage Reports Letter and Questionnaire--26
CFR 31.6051-2--0960-0432. Each year employers report the wage amounts
they
[[Page 70613]]
paid their employees to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax
purposes, and separately to SSA for retirement and disability coverage
purposes. Employers should report the same figures to SSA and the IRS;
however, each year some of the employer wage reports SSA receives show
wage amounts lower than those employers report to the IRS. SSA uses
Forms SSA-L93-SM, SSA-L94-SM, SSA-95-SM, and SSA-97-SM to ensure
employees receive full credit for their wages. Respondents are
employers who reported lower wage amounts to SSA than they reported to
the IRS.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average Estimated theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of burden per total annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents response response burden amount cost
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (dollars) **
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SSA-95-SM and SSA[dash]97[dash]SM....................... 360,000 1 30 180,000 * $22.50 ** $4,050,000
(and accompanying cover letters.........................
SSA-L93, L94)...........................................
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* We based this figure on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
**
This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather, these
are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to respondents
to complete the application.
2. Request for Proof(s) from Custodian of Records--20 CFR 404.703,
404.704, 404.720, 404.721, 404.723, 404.725, & 404.728--0960-0766. SSA
sends Form SSA-L707, Request for Proof(s) from Custodian of Records, to
records custodians on behalf of individuals who need help obtaining
evidence of death, marriage, or divorce in connection with claims for
benefits. SSA uses the information from the SSA-L707 to determine
eligibility for benefits. The respondents are records custodians
including statistics and religious entities, coroners, funeral
directors, attending physicians, and State agencies.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average Estimated theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of burden per total annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents response response burden amount cost
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (dollars) **
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State or Local Government............................... 94 1 10 16 * $18.00 ** $288
Private Sector.......................................... 24 1 10 4 * 37.60 ** 150
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Totals.............................................. 118 .............. .............. 20 .............. ** 438
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* We based these figures on average records custodians in the local/state government, and records custodians in the private sectors hourly salary, as
reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
respondents to complete the application.
Dated: December 18, 2019.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2019-27664 Filed 12-20-19; 8:45 am]
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