Privacy Act: Computer matching programs,

[Federal Register: August 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 160)]

[Notices]

[Page 45296-45297]

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

[DOCID:fr19au99-124]

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Privacy Act 1974; Computer Matching Program (Agreement for SSA/ Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Match of Prisoner Data, Match #1041)

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of Computer Matching Program.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a computer matching program that SSA plans to conduct.

DATES: SSA will file a report of the subject matching program with the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of the House of Representatives and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The matching program will be effective as indicated below.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by either facsimile to (410) 597-0841 or writing to the Associate Commissioner for Program Support, 4400 West High Rise Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401. All comments received will be available for public inspection at this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Associate Commissioner for Program Support at the above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. General

   The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Public Law (Pub. L.) 100-503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by establishing the conditions under which computer matching involving the Federal Government could be performed and adding certain protection for individuals applying for or receiving Federal benefits. Section 7201 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508) further amended the Privacy Act regarding protection for such individuals.

   The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching

   [[Page 45297]]

   by Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs to:

   (1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies participating in the matching programs;

   (2) Obtain approval of the match agreements by any appropriate Federal agency Data Integrity Boards;

   (3) Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress and OMB;

   (4) Notify applicants and beneficiaries that their records are subject to matching; and

   (5) Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

2. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

   We have taken action to ensure that all of SSA's computer matching programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended.

   Dated: July 29, 1999. Susan M. Daniels, Ph.D., Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.

   Notice of Computer Matching Program, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) With SSA.

1. Participating Agencies

   SSA and BOP.

2. Purpose of the Matching Program

   Sections 202(x)(1) and 202(x)(3) of the Social Security Act (the Act), codified at 42 U.S.C. 402(x)(1) and 402(x)(3) prohibit SSA from paying old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits to incarcerated individuals under title II of the Act. Section 1611(e)(1)(A) of the Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. 1382(e)(1)(A), provides, with some exceptions, that inmates in public institutions are not eligible for payments in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program under title XVI of the Act. Sections 205(j)(1)(A), 205(j)(5), 1631(a)(2)(A)(iii) and 1631 (a)(2)(E), codified at 42 U.S.C., 405(j)(1)(A), 405(j)(5), 1383(g)(2)(A)(iii) and 1383(a)(2)(E) require SSA to revoke certification for payment of benefits to representative payees under certain circumstances and to investigate and monitor the performance of representative payees. The incarceration or confinement of a representative payee is a circumstance highly relevant to SSA's consideration of an individual's representative payee status under these provisions. The purpose of this matching program is to assist SSA in enforcing all of the above-referenced provisions of the Act.

3. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

   This matching program is carried out under the authority of sections 202(x)(1), 202(x)(3), 205(j)(1)(A), 205(j)(5), 1611(e)(1)(A), 1631(a)(2)(A)(iii) and 1631 (a)(2)(E) of the Social Security Act.

4. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Match

   The Federal Bureau of Prisons will submit names and other identifying information of prisoners from its prisoner data systems. The SSA Master Files of Social Security number (SSN) holders and SSN applications contain the SSNs and identifying information for all SSN holders and applicants. The SSA Master Beneficiary Record and Supplemental Security Income contain title II and title XVI beneficiary and payment information. The Master Representative Payee File contains representative payee information. SSA will match data from these record systems with BOP data as a first step in detecting certain individuals who should not be receiving Social Security or SSI benefits, either for themselves, or on behalf of others.

5. Inclusive Dates of the Match

   This matching program shall become effective no sooner than 40 days after notice of the program is sent to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget, or 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever date is later. The matching program will continue for 18 months from the effective date and may be extended for an additional 12 months thereafter, if certain conditions are met.

   [FR Doc. 99-21524Filed8-18-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4190-29-P