[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37996-38000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13583]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA-2020-0028]
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-2020-0028].
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
August 24, 2020. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection
instruments by writing to the above email address.
1. Marriage Certification--20 CFR 404.725-0960-0009. Sections
202(b) and 202(c) of the Social Security Act (Act) stipulate that every
spouse of an individual entitled to Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability
Insurance (OASDI) benefits is entitled to a spouse benefit if the wife
or husband, in addition to meeting the entitlement requirements, meets
the relationship criteria in Section 216(h)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act.
SSA uses Form SSA-3 to determine if a spouse claimant has the necessary
relationship to the Social Security number holder (i.e., the worker) to
qualify for the worker's OASDI benefits. The respondents are applicants
for spouse's OASDI benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average Total annual
Average Estimated theoretical Average wait opportunity
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of burden per total annual hourly cost time in cost
respondents response response burden amount field office (dollars)
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (minutes) ** ***
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SSA-3................................................. 62,342 1 5 5,195 * $25.72 ** 24 *** $774,995
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* We based this figures on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information 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. Farm Arrangement Questionnaire--20 CFR 404.1082(c)-0960-0064.
When self-employed workers submit earnings data to SSA, they cannot
count rental income from a farm unless they demonstrate ``material
participation'' in the farm's operation. A material participation
arrangement means the farm owners must perform a combination of
physical duties, management decisions, and capital investment in the
farm they are renting out. SSA uses Form SSA-7157, the Farm Arrangement
Questionnaire, to document material participation. The respondents are
workers who are renting farmland to others; are involved in the
operation of the farm; and want to claim countable income from work
they perform relating to the farm.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average Total annual
Average Estimated theoretical Average wait opportunity
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of burden per total annual hourly cost time in cost
respondents response response burden amount field office (dollars)
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (minutes) ** ***
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SSA-7157.............................................. 662 1 30 331 * $38.63 ** 24 *** $23,023
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* We based this figures on average Farmer's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information 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. RS/DI Quality Review Case Analysis: Sampled Number Holder;
Auxiliaries/Survivors; Parent; and Stewardship Annual Earnings Test--
0960-0189. Section 205(a) of the Act authorizes the Commissioner of SSA
to conduct the quality review process, which entails collecting
information related to the accuracy of payments made under OASDI.
Sections 228(a)(3), 1614(a)(1)(B), and 1836(2) of the Act require a
determination of the citizenship or alien status of the beneficiary;
this is only one item that we might explore as part of the Annual
Quality review. SSA uses Forms SSA-2930, SSA-2931, and SSA-2935 to
establish a national payment accuracy rate for all cases in payment
status, and to serve as a source of information regarding problem areas
in the Retirement Survivors Insurance (RSI) and Disability Insurance
(DI) programs. We also use the information to measure
[[Page 37997]]
the accuracy rate for newly adjudicated RSI or DI cases. SSA uses Form
SSA-4659 to evaluate the effectiveness of the annual earnings test, and
to use the results in developing ongoing improvements in the process.
About 25% percent of respondents have in-person reviews and receive one
of the following appointment letters: (1) Form SSA-L8550-U3
(Appointment Letter--Sample Individual); (2) Form SSA-L8551-U3
(Appointment Letter--Sample Family); or (3) Form SSA-L8552-U3
(Appointment Letter--Rep Payee). Seventy-five percent of respondents
receive a notice for a telephone review using Form SSA-L8553-U3
(Beneficiary Telephone Contact) or Form SSA-L8554-U3 (Rep Payee
Telephone Contact). To help the beneficiary prepare for the interview,
we include three forms with each notice: (1) Form SSA-85 (Information
Needed to Review Your Social Security Claim) lists the information the
beneficiary will need to gather for the interview; (2) Form SSA-2935
(Authorization to the Social Security Administration to Obtain Personal
Information) verifies the beneficiary's correct payment amount, if
necessary; and (3) Form SSA-8552 (Interview Confirmation) confirms or
reschedules the interview if necessary. The respondents are a
statistically valid sample of all OASDI beneficiaries in current pay
status or their representative payees.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average Total
Average Estimated Average wait time annual
Number of Frequency burden per total theoretical in field opportunity
Modality of completion respondents of response response annual hourly cost office cost
(minutes) burden amount (minutes) (dollars)
(hours) (dollars) * ** ***
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SSA-2930..................................................... 1,500 1 30 750 * $10.22 ** 24 *** $13,797
SSA-2931..................................................... 850 1 30 425 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 7,818
SSA-4659..................................................... 325 1 10 54 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 1,880
SSA-L8550-U3................................................. 385 1 5 32 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 1,901
SSA-L8551-U3................................................. 95 1 5 8 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 470
SSA-L8552-U3................................................. 35 1 5 3 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 174
SSA-L8553-U3................................................. 4,970 1 5 414 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 24,548
SSA-L8554-U3................................................. 705 1 5 59 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 3,485
SSA-8552..................................................... 2,350 1 5 196 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 11,610
SSA-85....................................................... 3,850 1 5 321 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 19,019
SSA-2935..................................................... 2,350 1 5 196 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 11,610
SSA-8510 (also saved under OMB No. 0960[dash]0707)........... 800 1 5 67 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 3,955
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Totals................................................... 18,215 ........... ........... 2,525 ........... ........... *** 100,267
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* We based these figures on average DI hourly wages based on SSA's current FY 2019 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2019%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information 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. Claimant's Work Background--20 CFR 404.1512(a); 404.1520(a)(4);
404.1565(b); 416.912(a); 416.920(a)(4); 416.965(b)-0960-0300. Sections
205(a) and 1631(e) of the Act provide the Commissioner of Social
Security with the authority to establish procedures for determining if
a claimant is entitled to disability benefits. The administrative law
judge (ALJ) may ask individuals to provide background information on
Form HA-4633 about work they performed in the past 15 years. When a
claimant requests a hearing before an ALJ to establish an entitlement
to disability benefits, the ALJ may request that the claimant provide a
work history to assist the ALJ in fully inquiring into issues related
to the disability. The ALJ uses the information collected from the
claimants on Form HA-4633 to: (1) Identify the claimant's relevant work
history; (2) decide if SSA requires expert vocational testimony and, if
so, have a vocational expert available to testify during the hearing;
and (3) provide a reference for the ALJ to discuss the claimant's work
history. The ALJ makes the completed Form HA-4633 part of the
documentary evidence of record. The respondents are claimants for
disability benefits under Title II or Title XVI who requested a hearing
before an ALJ after SSA denied their application for disability
payments.
Type of Request: Revision to an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average Estimated Average wait time
Number of Frequency burden per total theoretical in field Total annual
Modality of completion respondents of response response annual hourly cost office opportunity cost
(minutes) burden amount (minutes) (dollars) ***
(hours) (dollars) * **
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HA-4633--PDF/paper version............................. 53,200 1 15 13,300 * $10.22 ** 24 *** $353,408
Electronic Records Express Submissions................. 136,800 1 15 34,200 * 25.72 0 *** 879,624
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Totals............................................. 190,000 ........... ........... 47,500 ........... ........... *** 1,233,032
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* We based these figures on average DI hourly wages based on SSA's current FY 2019 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2019%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf); and
on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information 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.
5. Letter to Landlord Requesting Rental Information--20 CFR
416.1130(b)-0960-0454. SSA uses Form SSA-L5061 to obtain rental subsidy
information, which enables SSA to determine and verify an income value
for such subsidies. SSA uses this income value as part of determining
eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and establishing the
correct amount of SSI payable to the claimant. SSA bases an
individual's
[[Page 37998]]
eligibility for SSI payments, in part, on the amount of countable
income the individual receives. Income includes in-kind support and
maintenance in the form of room or rent, such as a subsidized rental
arrangement. SSA requires claimants to assist in obtaining this
information to prevent a delay or overpayment with their SSI payments.
We collect this information only if the SSI applicant or recipient is
the parent or child of the landlord (respondent). For most respondents,
we collect this information once per year, or less, via telephone or
face-to-face personal interview. The claims representative records the
information in our SSI Claims Systems, and we require verbal
attestation in lieu of a wet signature. However, if the claims
representative is unable to contact the respondent via the telephone or
face-to-face, we print and mail a paper form to the respondent for
completion. The respondent completes, signs, and returns the form to
the claims representative. Upon receipt, the claims representative
documents the information in the SSI Claims System or, for non-SSI
Claims System cases, faxes the form into the appropriate electronic
folder and shreds the paper form. The respondents are landlords related
to the SSI beneficiaries as a parent or child.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average Estimated theoretical Average wait Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of burden per total annual hourly cost time in opportunity cost
respondents response response burden amount field office (dollars) ***
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (minutes) **
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SSA-L5061....................................... 71,280 1 10 11,880 * $25.72 ** 24 **** $1,038,883
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* We based this figures on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information 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.
6. Marital Relationship Questionnaire--20 CFR 416.1826-0960-0460.
SSA uses Form SSA-4178, Marital Relationship Questionnaire, to
determine if unrelated individuals of the opposite sex who live
together are misrepresenting themselves as husband and wife. SSA needs
this information to determine whether we are making correct payments to
couples and individuals applying for, or currently receiving, SSI
payments. The respondents are applicants for, and recipients of, SSI
payments.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average Estimated Average wait time
Number of Frequency burden per total theoretical in field Total annual
Modality of completion respondents of response response annual hourly cost office opportunity cost
(minutes) burden amount (minutes) (dollars) ***
(hours) (dollars) * **
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SSI Claims System...................................... 1,275 1 5 106 * $10.22 ** 24 *** $6,296
SSA-4178............................................... 3,825 1 5 319 * 10.22 ** 24 *** 18,897
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Totals............................................. 5,100 ........... ........... 425 ........... ........... *** 25,192
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* We based these figures on average DI hourly wages based on SSA's current FY 2019 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2019%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information 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.
7. Questionnaire for Children Claiming SSI Benefits--20 CFR
416.912(a)-0960-0499. Sections 1614 and 1631 of the Act allow SSA to
determine the eligibility of an applicant's claim for SSI payments.
Parents or legal guardians seeking to obtain or retain SSI eligibility
for their children use Form SSA-3881-BK to provide SSA with the
addresses of non-medical sources such as schools, counselors, agencies,
organizations, or therapists who would have information about a child's
functioning. SSA uses this information to help determine a child's
claim or continuing eligibility for SSI. The respondents are the
parents, guardians, or other caretakers of: (1) Applicants who appeal
SSI childhood disability decisions; or (2) recipients undergoing a
continuing disability review.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average Estimated Average wait time
Number of Frequency burden per total theoretical in field Total annual
Modality of completion respondents of response response annual hourly cost office opportunity cost
(minutes) burden amount (minutes) (dollars) ***
(hours) (dollars) * **
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SSA-3881-BK (Paper Version)............................ 81,250 1 30 40,625 * $25.72 ** 24 *** $1,880,775
SSA-3881-BK (Intranet Version)......................... 43,750 1 30 21,875 * 25.72 ** 24 *** 1,012,725
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Totals............................................. 125,000 ........... ........... 62,500 ........... ........... *** 2,893,500
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* We based this figures on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information 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.
8. Social Security Administration Eligible Non-Attorney
Representative--20 CFR 404.1717, 404.1745-404.1799, 416.1517, and
416.1545-416.1599-0960-0699. Section 3 of the Social Security
Disability Applicants' Access
[[Page 37999]]
to Professional Representation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-142,
permanently extends the direct payment provision of Section 303 of the
Social Security Protection Act (SSPA) of 2004, Public Law 108-203. The
law permits SSA to extend direct payment of approved fees from
claimants' past-due benefits to certain non-attorney representatives.
Prior to the enactment of the SSPA and Professional Representation Act,
only attorneys could receive direct payment of SSA-approved fees. Under
the Professional Representation Act, non-attorneys must meet certain
prerequisites to be eligible for direct payment of fees. These
prerequisites include: (1) A bachelor's degree from an accredited
institution of higher education, or four years of relevant professional
experience and a high school diploma or General Education Development
certificate; (2) passing a written examination administered by SSA
testing the knowledge of relevant provisions of the Act under Titles II
and XVI; (3) securing and maintaining continuous professional liability
insurance, or equivalent, to protect claimants from malpractice; (4)
passing a criminal background check; and (5) demonstrating ongoing
completion of continuing education courses. The Professional
Representation Act requires SSA to collect the information needed to
determine if applicants have satisfied these prerequisites. SSA uses
the information we collect on Form SSA-1691 to determine whether an
applicant has fulfilled the statutory prerequisites and regulatory
requirements as listed above. To verify this information, we also
request the five required items listed above from each new applicant,
and we request items #3 and #5 from all non-attorney representatives
(new and existing) on a yearly basis. Every year, SSA evaluates the
applications; conducts verification investigations; and issues
recommendations regarding applicants' eligibility to sit for the
examination and eligibility to receive direct payment. The respondents
are non-attorneys who want to receive direct payment of their fees for
representational services before SSA.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average Total
Average Estimated Average wait time annual
Number of Frequency burden per total theoretical in field opportunity
Modality of completion respondents of response response annual hourly cost office cost
(minutes) burden amount (minutes) (dollars)
(hours) (dollars) * ** ***
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New Respondents--Paper Application (complete and submit)-- 468 1 45 351 * $26.45 ** 24 *** $14,230
404.1717(b)&(c); 416.1517(b)&(c)............................
New Respondents Examination--404.1717(a)(5); 416.1517(a)(5).. 460 1 120 920 * 26.45 ** 24 *** 29,201
New Respondents--Submission of proof of Bachelor's Degree or 458 1 10 76 * 26.45 ** 24 *** 6,851
Equivalent Qualifications--404.1717(a)(3); 416.1517(a)(3)...
New and Existing Respondents--CE Submission via email/mail/or 1,374 1 20 458 * 26.45 ** 24 *** 26,662
FAX of training courses taken as prescribed by SSA--
404.1717(a)(7); 416.1517(a)(7)..............................
New and Existing Respondents--Proof of Continuous 1,099 1 10 183 * 26.45 ** 24 *** 45,547
Professional or Business Liability Insurance Coverage (Scan
and Email)--404.1717(a)(6); 416.1517(a)(6)..................
New and Existing Respondents--Proof of Continuous 275 1 15 69 * 26.45 ** 24 *** 4,735
Professional or Business Liability Insurance Coverage (Copy
and Mail)--404.1717(a)(6); 416.1517(a)(6)...................
New and Existing Respondents--Written Protests--404.1717(d); 45 1 45 34 * 26.45 ** 24 *** 1,375
416.1517(d).................................................
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Totals................................................... 4,179 ........... ........... 2,091 ........... ........... *** 128,511
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* We based these figures on average Paralegal's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information 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.
II. SSA submitted the information collection below to OMB for
clearance. Your comments regarding this information collection 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 July 24, 2020. Individuals can obtain copies of the OMB
clearance package by writing to [email protected].
Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data From the Social Security
Administration--0960-0602. On occasion, public and private
organizations and agencies need to obtain detailed earnings information
about specific Social Security number (SSN) holding wage earners for
business purposes (e.g., pension funds and State agencies). Respondents
use Form SSA-581 to identify the SSN holder whose information they are
requesting, and provide authorization from the SSN holder, when
applicable. SSA uses the information provided on Form SSA-581 to: (1)
Identify the wage earner; (2) establish the period of earnings
information requested; (3) verify the wage earner authorized SSA to
release this information to the requesting party; and (4) produce the
Itemized Statement of Earnings (SSA-1826). The respondents are private
businesses, state or local agencies, and other federal agencies.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
[[Page 38000]]
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Average Total annual
Average Estimated theoretical Average wait opportunity
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of burden per total annual hourly cost time in cost
respondents response response burden amount field office (dollars)
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (minutes) ** ***
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SSA-581............................................... 24,000 1 2 800 * $33.58 ** 24 *** $349,232
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* We based this figure on average Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data
(https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131141.htm).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information 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: June 19, 2020.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-13583 Filed 6-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P