[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 5, 2020)] [Notices] [Pages 26776-26778] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2020-09580] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA-2020-0022] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed 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-2020-0022]. 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 July 6, 2020. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instruments by writing to the above email address. 1. Application for Survivor's Benefits--20 CFR 404.611(a) and (c)-- 0960-0062. Surviving family members of armed services personnel can file for Social Security and veterans' benefits with SSA, or at the Veterans Administration (VA). Applicants filing for Title II survivor benefits at the VA complete Form SSA-24, which the VA forwards to SSA for processing. SSA uses the information to determine eligibility for benefits. The respondents are survivors of deceased armed services personnel who are applying for benefits at the VA. Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information collection. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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) ** *** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SSA-8060-U3........................................... 3,200 1 15 800 * $22.50 ** 24 *** $75,533 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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. Railroad Employment Questionnaire--20CFR 404.1401, and 404.1406- 404.1408--0960-0078. Railroad workers, their dependents, or survivors can concurrently apply for railroad retirement and Social Security benefits at SSA if the number holder, or claimant on the number holder's Social Security Number, worked in the railroad industry. SSA uses Form SSA-671 to coordinate Social Security claims processing with the Railroad Retirement Board, and to determine benefit entitlement and amount. The respondents are Social Security benefit applicants previously employed by a railroad, or dependents of railroad workers. Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information collection. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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) ** *** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SSA-671............................................... 125,000 1 5 10,417 * $22.50 ** 24 *** $234,923 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * We based these figures on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes434199.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. [[Page 26777]] 3. State Mental Institution Policy Review Booklet--20 CFR 404.2035, 404.2065, 416.635, & 416.665--0960-0110. SSA uses Form SSA-9584-BK: (1) To determine if the policies and practices of a state mental institution acting as a representative payee for SSA beneficiaries conform to SSA's regulations in the use of benefits; (2) to confirm institutions are performing other duties and responsibilities required of representative payees; and (3) as the basis for conducting onsite reviews of the institutions and preparing subsequent reports of findings. The respondents are state mental institutions serving as representative payees for Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information collection. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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) ** *** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SSA-9584.............................................. 68 1 60 68 * $15.00 ** 24 *** $1,380 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * We based this figure on average Personal Care and Service Workers hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes390000.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. 4. Modified Benefit Formula Questionnaire-Employer--20 CFR 401 & 402--0960-0477. Sections 215(a)(7) and 215(d)(3) of the Social Security Act requires SSA to use a modified benefit formula to compute Social Security retirement or disability benefits for persons first eligible (after 1985) for both a Social Security benefit and a pension or annuity, based on employment not covered by Social Security. This method is the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). SSA makes a determination regarding whether the WEP is applicable, and when to apply it to a person's benefit. SSA uses Form SSA-58 to verify the claimant's allegations on Form SSA-150 (OMB #0906-0395, Modified Benefits Formula Questionnaire). SSA also uses Form SSA-58 to determine if the modified benefit formula is applicable and when to apply it to a person's benefits. SSA sends Form SSA-58 to an employer for pension related information, if the claimant is unable to provide it. The respondents are employers of people who are eligible after 1985 for both Social Security benefits and a pension based on work not covered by SSA. Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information collection. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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) ** *** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SSA-58................................................ 26,925 1 3 1,346 * $20.39 ** 24 *** $27,934 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *We based this figure on average Information and Records clerk's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes434199.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. Disability Update Report--20 CFR 404.1589-404.1595 and 416.988- 416.996--0960-0511. As part of our statutory requirements, SSA periodically uses Form SSA-455, the Disability Update Report, to evaluate current Title II disability beneficiaries' and Title XVI disability payment recipients' continued eligibility for Social Security disability payments. Specifically, SSA uses the form to determine if: (1) There is enough evidence to warrant referring the respondent for a full medical Continuing Disability Review (CDR); (2) the respondent's impairments are still present and indicative of no medical improvement, precluding the need for a CDR; or (3) the respondent has unresolved work-related issues. SSA mails Form SSA-455 to specific disability recipients, whom we select as possibly qualifying for the CDR process. SSA pre-fills the form with data specific to the disability recipient, except for the sections we ask the recipients to complete. When SSA receives the completed form, we scan it into SSA's system. This allows us to gather the information electronically, and enables SSA to process the returned forms through automated decision logic to decide the proper course of action to take. The respondents are recipients of Title II and Title XVI Social Security disability payments. Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information collection. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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) ** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SSA-455......................................... 1,300,000 1 15 325,000 * $10.22 ** 24 *** $3,321,745 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * We based this figure on average DI payments, as reported in SSA's disability insurance payment data. ** 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. [[Page 26778]] 6. Authorization for the Social Security Administration to Obtain Wage and Employment Information from Payroll Data Providers--0960-0807. Section 824 of the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) of 2015, Public Law 114- 74, authorizes SSA to enter into information exchanges with payroll data providers for the purposes of improving program administration and preventing improper payments in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI programs. SSA uses Form SSA-8240, ``Authorization for the Social Security Administration to Obtain Wage and Employment Information from Payroll Data Providers,'' to secure the authorization needed from the relevant members of the public to obtain their wage and employment information from payroll data providers. Ultimately, SSA uses this wage and employment information to help determine program eligibility and payment amounts. The public completes Form SSA-8240 using the following modalities: A paper form; the internet; and an in-office or telephone interview, during which an SSA employee documents the wage and employment information authorization information on one of SSA's internal systems (the Modernized Claims System (MCS); the SSI Claims System; eWork; or iMain). The individual's authorization remains effective until one of the following four events occurs:SSA makes a final adverse decision on the application for benefits, and the applicant has filed no other claims or appeals under the Title for which SSA obtained the authorization; the individual's eligibility for payments ends, and the individual has not filed other claims or appeals under the Title for which SSA obtained the authorization; the individual revokes the authorization verbally or in writing; or the deeming relationship ends (for SSI purposes only). SSA requests authorization on an as-needed basis as part of the following processes: (a) SSDI and SSI initial claims; (b) SSI redeterminations; and (c) SSDI Work Continuing Disability Reviews. The respondents are individuals who file for, or are currently receiving, SSDI or SSI payments, and any person whose income and resources SSA counts when determining an individual's SSI eligibility or payment amount. 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) * ** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SSA-8240 (paper)....................................... 150,000 1 6 15,000 * $10.22 ** 24 *** $153,545 Web Title II & Title XVI Electronic (MCS, MSSICS, and 3,492,903 1 2 116,430 10.22 0 *** 1,189,915 eWork)................................................ Internet............................................... 467,883 1 2 15,596 * 10.22 0 *** 159,391 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Totals............................................. 4,110,786 ........... ........... 147,026 ........... ........... *** 1,502,851 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * We based this figure on average DI payments, as reported in SSA's disability insurance payment data. ** 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. myWageReport--20 CFR 404.1520(b), 404.1571-1576, & 404.1584- 1593--0960-0808. The myWageReport application enables SSDI beneficiaries and representative payees to report earnings electronically. It generates a receipt for the beneficiary and/or representative payee, thus providing confirmation that SSA received the earnings report. SSA screens the information submitted through the myWageReport application and determines if we need additional employment information. If so, agency personnel reach out to beneficiaries or their representative payees and use Form SSA-821, Work Activity Report (0960-0059), to collect the additional required information. The respondents for this collection are SSDI recipients or their representative payees. Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information collection. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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) ** ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- myWageReport................ 88,000 1 7 10,267 * $10.22 ** $104,929 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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. Dated: April 30, 2020. Naomi Sipple, Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration. [FR Doc. 2020-09580 Filed 5-4-20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191-02-P