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

[Federal Register: July 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 145)]

[Notices]

[Page 41173-41174]

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

[DOCID:fr29jy99-109]

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 collection listed below will be submitted to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. Therefore, comments and recommendations regarding the information collection 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 instrument 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. Public Understanding Measurement System--0960-NEW. SSA has contracted with the Gallup Organization to conduct surveys to gather data on the public's level of knowledge about Social Security programs. The 1998 Public Understanding Measurement System (PUMS) survey indicated that 45 percent of the population has a lack of understanding of the major Social Security program areas. The 1999 and future Public Understanding Measurement System (PUMS II) surveys will enable SSA to build upon the 1998 PUMS quantitative baseline measure of public understanding.

   An annual survey will provide tracking data of public understanding of SSA programs against which the outcomes of SSA performance improvement efforts can be assessed. Eight quarterly targeted surveys will test the effectiveness of several specific communications and public information outreach efforts.

   PUMS II is essential to SSA's goal of strengthening public understanding about Social Security programs. The relevant Agency goal contained in SSA's strategic plan is that by the year 2005, 90 percent of all American adults will be knowledgeable about Social Security programs in five broad areas: basic program facts; the financial value of programs to individuals; the economic and social impact of SSA programs; how the programs are financed today; and financing issues. The respondents will be randomly selected adults residing in the United States.

   Annual survey

   Quarterly surveys

   Number of Respondents................ 4,000..................................... 12,000. Frequency of Response................ 1......................................... 1. Average Burden Per Response.......... 12 minutes................................ 12 minutes. Estimated Annual Burden.............. 800 hours................................. 2,400 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 packages by calling the SSA Reports Clearance Officer on (410) 965-4145, or by writing to him.

   1. Supplemental Security Income Notice of Interim Assistance Reimbursement (two forms)--0960-0546. Please note that these forms were previously approved under 2 OMB numbers, form SSA-8125, 0960-0546 and SSA-L8125-F6, 0960-0563. However, because these forms are interrelated SSA is combining them under 0960-0546. Form SSA-8125 and SSA-L8125-F6, previously 0960-0563, collect interim assistance reimbursement (IAR) information from the States that provide such assistance. Form SSA-8125 is used in situations where IAR can be distributed directly to the recipient after the State has deducted the amount of assistance it provided. Form SSA-L8125-F6 is used in situations where a recipient entitled to underpayments has received IAR from a State and SSA will control the benefit through the installment process. The respondents are States that provide IAR to SSI claimants.

      SSA-8125

      SSA-L8125-F6

      Number of Respondents................ 50,000.................................... 50,000. Frequency of Response................ 1......................................... 1. Average Burden Per Response.......... 10 minutes................................ 10 minutes. Estimated Annual Burden.............. 8,333 hours............................... 8,333 hours.

   2. Request for Information--0960-0607. The information collected through this form letter will be used by SSA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to conduct periodic eligibility reviews of beneficiaries residing in foreign countries. The form is designed to replace the current time-consuming and expensive method of conducting these reviews by selecting sample cases and conducting in person interviews. The form will permit OIG to review all beneficiary residents of the foreign country under study, thereby narrowing the scope of the beneficiaries requiring

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      in person visits to those who do not respond or to those who provide questionable evidence. The respondents are Social Security beneficiaries residing in foreign countries.

      Number of Respondents: 900.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 30 minutes.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 450 hours.

      (Please note that this information collection received emergency approval from OMB on July 19, 1999. Emergency consideration was requested due to the time constraints associated with the normal clearance process, which conflicted with OIG's mission of combating fraud waste and abuse of SSA programs. Notice of the emergency request was published in the Federal Register on June 21, 1999. SSA plans to conduct eligibility reviews of beneficiaries residing in foreign countries on a scheduled basis and is therefore continuing to seek normal clearance of this collection.)

   3. Application for Parent's Insurance Benefits--0960-0012. The information collected on form SSA-7 is used by the Social Security Administration to determine entitlement of an individual to parent's insurance benefits. The respondents are parents who were dependents of the worker for at least one-half of their support.

      Number of Respondents: 1,400.

      Frequency of Response: 1.

      Average Burden Per Response: 15 minutes.

      Estimated Annual Burden: 350 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, D.C. 20503

      Dated: July 21, 1999. Frederick W. Brickenkamp, Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.

      [FR Doc. 99-19101Filed7-28-99; 8:45 am]

      BILLING CODE 4190-29-U