Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: March 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 48)]

[Notices]

[Page 12398-12399]

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

[DOCID:fr12mr99-107]

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

In compliance with Public Law 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 the notices. 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.

   1. Request for Hearing--0960-0269. The information collected on Form HA-501 is used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to process a request for hearing on an unfavorable determination of entitlement or eligibility to benefits administered by SSA. The respondents are individuals whose claims for benefits are denied and who request a hearing on the denial.

      Number of Respondents: 554,100.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 10 minutes.

      Estimated Average Burden: 92,350 hours.

   2. Petition to Obtain Approval of a Fee for Representing a Claimant Before the Social Security Administration--0960-0104. Form SSA-1560 is used by SSA if the representative files a fee petition to obtain approval of a fee for representing a claimant. The representative must file either a fee petition or a fee agreement with SSA in order to charge for representing a claimant in proceedings before the Agency. The information is reviewed by SSA to determine a reasonable fee for the representative's services. The respondents are attorneys and other persons representing Social Security claimants.

      Number of Respondents: 34,624.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 30 minutes.

      Estimated Average Burden: 17,312 hours.

   3. Letter to Landlord Requesting Rental Information--0960-0454. Form SSA-L5061 is used by SSA to provide a nationally uniform vehicle for collecting information from landlords in making a rental subsidy determination in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The responses are used in deciding whether income limits are met. The respondents are landlords who provide subsidized rental arrangements to SSI applicants and recipients.

      Number of Respondents: 49,000.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 10 minutes.

      Estimated Average Burden: 8,167 hours.

   4. State Contribution Return--0960-0041. SSA uses the information on Form SSA-3961 to identify and account for all contributions owed and paid, under section 218 of the Social Security Act. The data is used to balance each deposit made by a State and to allocate the deposited contributions by specific liability. The form is ultimately used to provide audit statements to State agencies and to perform trust fund accounting. The respondents are State Social Security agencies (one agency in each state, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) and each of approximately 65 interstate instrumentalities.

      Number of Respondents: 10,000.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 3 minutes.

      Estimated Average Burden: 500 hours.

   5. Farm Arrangement Questionnaire--0960-0064. SSA needs the information collected on Form SSA-7157-F4 to determine if farm rental income may be considered self-employment income for Social Security coverage purposes. The respondents are individuals alleging self- employment income from renting land for farming activities.

      Number of Respondents: 38,000.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 30 minutes.

      Estimated Average Burden: 19,000 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 the notices. A copy of the OMB clearance packages can be obtained by calling the SSA Reports Clearance Officer on (410) 965-4145, or by writing to him.

   1. Inquiry To File an SSI Child's Application--0960-0557. The information collected on Form SSRO-3-293 (formerly SSA-293) is used by SSA to document the earliest possible filing date and to determine potential eligibility for SSI child's benefits. The respondents are individuals, such as hospital social workers, who inquire about SSI eligibility for low birth weight babies.

      Number of Respondents: 2,100.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 3 minutes.

      Estimated Average Burden: 105 hours.

   2. Request for Workers' Compensation/Public Disability Information--0960-0098. Form SSA-1709 is used by SSA to request and/or verify information about worker's compensation or public disability benefits given to Social Security disability insurance benefit recipients so that their monthly benefit adjustments are properly made. The respondents are State and local governments and/or businesses that administer workers' compensation or other disability benefits.

      Number of Respondents: 140,000.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 15 minutes.

      Estimated Average Burden: 35,000 hours.

   3. Individuals Who Inquire About SSI Eligibility for Themselves-- 0960-0140. Form SSA-3462 is completed by SSA personnel, via telephone or personal interview and is used to determine

      [[Page 12399]]

      potential eligibility for SSI benefits. The respondents are individuals who inquire about SSI eligibility for themselves or someone else.

      Number of Respondents: 2,134,100.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.

      Estimated Average Burden: 177,842 hours.

   4. State Mental Institution Policy Review--0960-0110. The information collected on form SSA-9584 is used by SSA to determine whether an institution's policies and practices conform with SSA's regulations in the use of benefits, and whether the institution is performing other duties and responsibilities required of a representative payee. The information also provides the basis for conducting the actual onsite review and is used in the preparation of the subsequent report of findings and recommendations which are provided to the institution. The respondents are State mental institutions which serve as representative payees for Social Security beneficiaries.

      Number of Respondents: 183.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 60 minutes.

      Estimated Average Burden: 183 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: Lori Schack, New Executive Office Building, Room 10230, 725 17th St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20503

      Dated: March 5, 1999. Frederick W. Brickenkamp, Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.

      [FR Doc. 99-5978Filed3-11 99; 8:45 am]

      BILLING CODE 4190-29-P