Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection and submission for OMB review; comment request,

[Federal Register: July 15, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 135)]

[Notices]

[Page 38229-38230]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr15jy99-106]

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

In compliance with Pub. L. 104-13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, SSA is providing notice of its information collections that require submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 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 on ways to minimize burden on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

1. The information collections listed below will be submitted to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. Therefore, comments and recommendations regarding the information collections would be most useful if received by the Agency within 60 days from the date of this publication. Comments should be directed to the SSA Reports Clearance Officer at the address listed at the end of this publication. You can obtain a copy of the collection instruments by calling the SSA Reports Clearance Officer on (410) 965-4145, or by writing to him at the address listed at the end of this publication.

   1. Permanent Residence in the United States Under Color of Law (PRUCOL)-0960-0451. Under Pub. L. 104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, which was effective August 22, 1996, a noncitizen must be a ``qualified alien'' and meet certain additional requirements in order to be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This law also established an exception to the new requirements for certain ``nonqualified'' aliens (i.e., noncitizens who are not ``qualified aliens'') to remain on the roles for a temporary period of time. Pub. L. 105-306, Noncitizen Benefit Clarification and Other Technical Amendments Act of 1998, enacted October 28, 1998, provided that nonqualified aliens who were receiving SSI on August 22, 1996 would remain eligible for SSI as long as all other requirements for eligibility were met (e.g., income and resources, etc.). Title 20 Sec. 416.1618 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires nonqualified aliens to give SSA certain evidence which proves that they are lawfully admitted to the United States in order to qualify for SSI benefits. PRUCOL aliens must present evidence of their status at the time of application for SSI benefits and periodically thereafter. The respondents are nonqualified aliens who apply for or receive SSI benefits.

      Number of Respondents: 9,000.

      Frequency of Response: Annually.

      Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 750 hours.

   2. Application for Widow's or Widower's Insurance Benefits-0960- 0004. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the information collected on Form SSA-10-BK to determine whether the applicant meets the statutory and regulatory conditions for entitlement to widow(er)'s benefits. The respondents are applicants for widow(er)'s benefits.

      Number of Respondents: 288,850.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 15 minutes.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 72,213 hours.

   3. Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery or Change in Repayment Notice--0960-0037. Form SSA-632 collects information on the circumstances surrounding overpayment of Social Security Benefits to recipients. SSA uses the information to determine whether recovery of an overpayment amount can be waived or must be repaid and, if repaid, how recovery will be made. The respondents are recipients of Social Security, Medicare, Black Lung or Supplemental Security Income overpayments.

      Number of Respondents: 500,000.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 120 minutes.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 1,000,000 hours.

   4. Voluntary Customer Surveys in Accordance with E.O. 12862 within the Social Security Administration--0960-0526. These voluntary customer surveys will be used to ascertain customer satisfaction with the Social Security Administration in terms of timeliness, appropriateness, access, and other measures of quality service. Surveys will involve individuals that are the direct or indirect beneficiaries of SSA services. The average burden per response for these activities is estimated to range from 5 minutes for a simple comment card to 2 hours for participation in a focus group.

      FY 2000:

      Number of Respondents: 1,328,264.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 123,231 Hours.

      FY 2001:

      Number of Respondents: 1,325,760.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 122,274 Hours.

      FY 2002:

      Number of Respondents: 1,327,400.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 121,734 Hours.

2. The information collections listed below have been submitted to OMB for clearance. Written comments and recommendations on the information collections would be most useful if received within 30 days from the date of this publication. Comments should be directed to the SSA Reports Clearance Officer and the OMB Desk Officer at the addresses listed at the end of this publication. You can obtain a copy of the OMB clearance package by calling the SSA Reports Clearance Officer on (410) 965-4145, or by writing to him.

   1. Annual Earnings Test--Direct Mail Follow-Up Program Notices-- 0960-0369. As part of the effort to reinvent government, in 1997 SSA began to use the information reported on W-2's and self-employment tax returns to adjust benefits under the earnings test rather than have beneficiaries make a separate report, which often showed the same information. Since SSA eliminated the annual report forms (formerly Forms SSA-L9778-SM and SSA-L9779-SM), the Mid-Year Mailer (Forms SSA- L9778-SM-SUP, SSA-L9779-SM-SUP and SSA-L9781-SM) has become an even more important tool in helping us to ensure the correct payment of Social Security benefits. The Mid-Year Mailer is used by beneficiaries to update their current year estimate of earnings and to give SSA an estimate of earnings for the following year.

      Number of Respondents: 400,000.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 10 minutes.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 66,667 hours.

   2. Marriage Certification--0960-0009. Form SSA-3 is used by SSA to determine whether the claimant's spouse has the necessary relationship to the worker as required by section 216(h)(1) of the Social Security Act (the Act).

      The respondents are applicants for Spouse's Benefits.

      Number of Respondents: 180,000.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.

      [[Page 38230]]

      Estimated Annual Burden: 15,000 hours.

   3. Claimant's Work Background--0960-0300. The information collected on Form HA-4633 is used by SSA in cases in which claimants for disability benefits have requested a hearing, which is a statutory right granted to claimants under the Act, on the decision regarding their claim. A completed form provides an updated summary of a claimant's past relevant work and helps the Administrative Law Judge better decide whether or not the claimant is disabled. The respondents are claimants who request a hearing on entitlement to disability benefits, under titles II and/or XVI of the Act.

      Number of Respondents: 120,000.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 15 minutes.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 30,000 hours.

   4. Report on Individual with Childhood Impairment--0960-0084. Form SSA-1323 is used by SSA to determine the claimant's medical status prior to making disability determinations. The respondents are public and nonpublic schools and agencies who provide status reports on claimants applying for disability benefits.

      Number of Respondents: 7,000.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 20 minutes.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 2,333 hours.

   5. Medicare Buy-In Part B Screening Guide--0960-0601. Pub. L. 105- 277 authorizes SSA to conduct a Medicare buy-in demonstration project to evaluate means to promote the Medicare buy-in programs targeted to elderly and disabled individuals under titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act. A lack of awareness about the Medicare buy-in programs appears to be one of the major obstacles to enrollments. Other obstacles to enrollment include the confusion of potential eligibles as to how to apply for these programs and a preference for dealing with SSA field offices rather than with local Medicaid offices.

      SSA will screen respondents voluntarily for potential Medicare Part B buy-in eligibility using a screening guide developed for this purpose. The screening guide will collect information from SSA beneficiaries regarding income, resources, marital status, and living arrangements and also ask questions about their awareness of Medicare Part B buy-in programs. SSA will gather this information to identify and overcome obstacles to Medicare Part B buy-in enrollments and to determine potential eligibility for Medicare Part B benefits. The screening guide will be in use from March 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999.

      Number of Respondents: 130,000.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 20 minutes.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 43,333 hours.

   6. State Report of Incorrect Bendex Information--0960-0517. SSA uses the information collected on Form SSA-1086 to correct its master database and to facilitate the electronic exchange of data. The respondents are State agencies administering programs for Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

      Number of Respondents: 123.

      Frequency of Response: 2.

      Average Burden Per Response: 10 minutes.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 41 hours.

      (SSA Address) Social Security Administration, DCFAM, Attn: Frederick W. Brickenkamp, 6401 Security Blvd., 1-A-21 Operations Bldg., Baltimore, MD 21235.

      (OMB Address) Office of Management and Budget, OIRA, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA, New Executive Office Building, Room 10230, 725 17th St., NW., Washington, DC 20503.

      Dated: July 9, 1999. Frederick W. Brickenkamp, Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.

      [FR Doc. 99-18059Filed7-14-99; 8:45 am]

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