[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 249 (Friday, December 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76591-76594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31161]
[[Page 76591]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and
Comment 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 to and extensions 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, DCRDP, Attn: Reports Clearance
Director, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD
21235, Fax: 410-966-2830, Email address: [email protected].
I. 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
February 26, 2013. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection
instruments by writing to the above email address.
1. Information About Joint Checking/Savings Accounts--20 CFR
416.120, 416.1208--0960-0461. SSA considers a person's resources when
evaluating eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Generally, we consider funds in checking and savings accounts as
resources owned by the individuals whose names appear on the account.
However, individuals applying for SSI may rebut this assumption of
ownership in a joint account by submitting certain evidence to
establish the funds do not belong to them. SSA uses Form SSA-2574 to
collect information from SSI applicants and recipients who object to
the assumption that they own all or part of the funds in a joint
checking or savings account bearing their names. SSA collects
information about the account from both the SSI applicant or recipient
and the other account holder(s). After receiving the completed form,
SSA determines if we should consider the account as a resource for the
SSI applicant or recipient. The respondents are applicants and
recipients of SSI, and individuals who list themselves as joint owners
of financial accounts with SSI applicants or recipients.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-2574........................................ 50,000 1 7 5,833
Paper form......................................
Modernized SSI Claims System.................... 150,000 1 7 17,500
---------------------------------------------------------------
Totals...................................... 200,000 .............. .............. 23,333
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Real Property Current Market Value Estimate--0960-0471. SSA
considers an individual's resources when evaluating eligibility for
SSI. The value of an individual's resources, including non-home real
property, is one of the eligibility considerations for SSI. As part of
initial applications and in post-entitlement situations, SSA uses Form
SSA-L2794 to obtain current market value estimates of the claimant's
real property from individuals knowledgeable about real estate values.
We allow respondents to use readily available records to complete the
form, or we can accept their best estimates. The respondents are small
business operators in real estate, State and local government employees
tasked with assessing real property values, and other individuals
knowledgeable about local real estate values.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated total
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden
respondents response (minutes) (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-L2794................................... 5,438 1 20 1,813
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. SSI Monthly Wage Reporting (Telephone and Mobile)--20 CFR
416.701-732--0960-0715. SSA requires SSI recipients to report changes
which could affect their eligibility for, and the amount of, their SSI
payments, such as changes in income, resources, and living
arrangements. SSA's SSI Telephone Wage Reporting (SSITWR) and SSI
Mobile Wage Reporting (SSIMWR) enable SSI recipients to meet these
requirements through an automated mechanism to report their monthly
wages by telephone and mobile application, instead of contacting their
local field offices. The SSITWR allows callers to report their wages by
speaking their responses through voice recognition technology, or by
keying in responses using a telephone key pad. The SSIMWR allows
recipients to report their wages through the mobile wage reporting
application on their smartphone. SSITWR and SSIMWR systems collect the
same information and send it to SSA over secure channels. To ensure the
security of the information provided, SSITWR and SSIMWR ask respondents
to provide information SSA can compare against our records for
authentication purposes. Once the system authenticates the identity of
the respondents, they can
[[Page 76592]]
report their wage data. The respondents are SSI recipients, deemors, or
their representative payees.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of (Number of per response total annual
respondents response responses) (minutes) burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Training/Instruction*........... 85,000 1 (85,000) 35 49,583
SSITWR.......................... 80,000 12 (960,000) 5 80,000
SSIMWR.......................... 5,000 12 (60,000) 3 3,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 85,000 .............. (1,105,000) .............. 132,583
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The same 85,000 respondents are completing training and a modality of collection, therefore the actual
total number of respondents is still 85,000.
4. Centenarian Project Development Worksheets: Face-to-Face
Interview and Telephone Interview--20 CFR 416.204(b) and 422.135--0960-
0780. SSA conducts interviews with title II beneficiaries and title XVI
recipients age 100 and older to: (1) Assess if the beneficiaries are
still living; (2) prevent fraud, through either identity
misrepresentation or representative payee misuse of funds; and (3)
evaluate the well-being of the beneficiaries. SSA field office
personnel obtain the information through one-time interviews with the
centenarians. If the centenarians have representatives or caregivers,
SSA personnel invite them to the interviews. During the interview, SSA
employees make overall observations of the centenarian and their
representative payee (if applicable). The interviewer uses the
appropriate Centenarian Development Worksheet as a guide for the
interview, in addition to documenting findings during the interview.
Non-completion of the Worksheets, or refusal of the interview, does not
result in the suspension of the centenarian's payments. SSA conducts
each interview either over the telephone or through a face-to-face
discussion with the centenarian. This is a national project for our
title II beneficiaries and title XVI recipients. Respondents are SSI
recipients or Social Security beneficiaries 100 years old or older,
their representative payees, or their caregivers.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated total
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden
respondents response (minutes) (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centenarian Worksheets: Face-to-Face 22,000 1 15 5,500
Interview; Telephone Interview.............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. SSA submitted the information collections below to OMB for
clearance. Your comments regarding the information collections would be
most useful if OMB and SSA receive them 30 days from the date of this
publication. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive them
no later than January 28, 2013. Individuals can obtain copies of the
OMB clearance packages by writing to [email protected].
1. Farm Self-Employment Questionnaire--20 CFR 404.1082(c) &
404.1095--0960-0061. SSA requires the existence of a trade or business
before determining if an individual or partnership may have net
earnings from self-employment. When a claimant indicates self-
employment as a farmer, SSA obtains the information we need to
determine the existence of an agricultural trade or business and
subsequent covered earnings for Social Security entitlement purposes
using Form SSA-7165, Farm Self-Employment Questionnaire. As part of the
application process, we conduct a personal interview, either face-to-
face or via telephone, and document the interview using Form SSA-7165.
The respondents are applicants for Social Security benefits, whose
entitlement depends on workers having covered earnings from self-
employment as farmers.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated total
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden
respondents response (minutes) (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-7156.................................... 47,500 1 10 7,917
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Response to Notice of Revised Determination--20 CFR
404.913-.914, 404.992(b), 416.1413-.1414 and 416.1492(d)-0960-0347.
When SSA determines (1) claimants for initial disability benefits do
not actually have a disability or (2) current disability recipients'
records show their disability ceased, SSA must notify the disability
claimants or recipients of this decision. In response to this notice,
the affected claimants and disability recipients have the following
recourse: (1) They may request a disability hearing to contest SSA's
decision and (2) they may submit additional information or evidence for
SSA to consider. Disability claimants, recipients, and their
representatives use
[[Page 76593]]
Form SSA-765 to accomplish these two actions. The respondents are
disability claimants, current disability recipients, or their
representatives.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated total
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden
respondents response (minutes) (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-765...................................... 1,925 1 30 963
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Representative Payment Policies and Administrative Procedures
for Imposing Penalties for False or Misleading Statements or
Withholding of Information--0960-0740. This information collection
comprises several regulation sections that provide additional
safeguards for Social Security beneficiaries whose representative
payees receive their payments. SSA requires representative payees to
notify us of any event or change in circumstances that would affect
receipt of benefits or performance of payee duties. SSA uses the
information to determine continued eligibility for benefits, the amount
of benefits due, and if the payee is suitable to continue serving as
payee. The respondents are representative payees who receive and use
benefits on behalf of Social Security beneficiaries.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated
Regulation section Number of Frequency of per response total annual
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
404.2035(d)--Paper/Mail......................... 27,500 1 5 2,292
404.2035(d)--Office interview/Intranet.......... 522,500 1 5 43,542
404.2035(f)--Paper/Mail......................... 275 1 5 23
404.2035(f)--Office interview/Intranet.......... 5,225 1 5 435
416.635(d)--Paper/Mail.......................... 15,000 1 5 1,250
416.635(d)--Office interview/Intranet........... 285,000 1 5 23,750
416.635(f)--Paper/Mail.......................... 150 1 5 13
416.635(f)-Office interview/Intranet............ 2,850 1 5 238
---------------------------------------------------------------
Totals...................................... 858,500 .............. .............. 71,543
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Request for Reinstatement (Title II)--20 CFR 404.1592b--
404.1592f-0960-0742. SSA allows certain previously entitled disability
beneficiaries to request expedited reinstatement (EXR) of benefits
under title II of the Social Security Act (Act) when their medical
condition no longer permits them to perform substantial gainful
activity. SSA uses Form SSA-371 to obtain (1) a signed statement from
individuals requesting an EXR of their title II disability benefits,
and (2) proof the requestors meet the EXR requirements. SSA maintains
the form in the disability folder of the applicant to demonstrate the
requestors' awareness of the EXR requirements, and their choice to
request EXR. Respondents are applicants for EXR of title II disability
benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated total
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden
respondents response (minutes) (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-371..................................... 10,000 1 2 333
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Request for Reinstatement (Title XVI)--20 CFR 416.999-416.999d-
0960-0744. SSA allows certain previously entitled disability recipients
to request EXR of benefits under title XVI of the Act when their
medical condition no longer permits them to perform substantial gainful
activity. SSA uses Form SSA-372 to (1) inform previously entitled
recipients of the EXR requirements of SSI payments under title XVI of
the Act, and (2) document their requests for EXR. We require this
application for reinstatement of benefits for respondents to obtain SSI
disability payments for EXR. When an SSA claims representative learns
of individuals whose medical conditions no longer permit them to
perform substantial gainful activity as defined in the Act, the claims
representative gives or mails the form to the previously entitled
individuals if they request EXR over the phone. SSA employees collect
this information whenever an individual files for EXR benefits. The
respondents are applicants for EXR of SSI disability payments.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information
collection.
[[Page 76594]]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated total
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden
respondents response (minutes) (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-372..................................... 2,000 1 2 67
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Protecting the Public and Our Personnel To Ensure Operational
Effectiveness (RIN 0960-AH35), Regulation 3729I--20 CFR 422.905,
422.906-0960-0796.
Background
When members of the public demonstrate disruptive, violent, or
threatening actions or behavior toward SSA employees, the agency takes
measures to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including banning
such individuals from appearing in person at any of our field offices.
In lieu of in-person office visits, the agency provides services to
banned individuals through alternate methods, including our 800 number,
online applications, mail services, or, in limited circumstances, face-
to-face services by appointment with additional security present.
On September 2, 2011, the agency published regulations and
notifications processes for the ban decision at 76 FR 54700. We are
currently requesting full approval for the public reporting burdens
from the interim final rules. We previously obtained emergency OMB
approval for these burdens.
Information Collection Description
The interim final ban decision rules contain two public reporting
burdens:
20 CFR 422.905--after SSA issues a ban decision against an
individual, the individual has 60 days to appeal the determination.
Individuals must submit a written appeal stating why they believe SSA
should rescind the ban and allow them to conduct business with us on a
face-to-face basis in one of our offices. There is no printed form for
this request; banned individuals create their own written statement of
appeal, and submit it to a sole decision-maker in the regional office
of the region where the ban originated. The individuals may also
provide additional documentation to support their appeal.
20 CFR 422.906--three years after the original ban
decision, banned individuals may re-submit a written appeal of the
determination. The same criteria apply as for the original appeal: (1)
It must be in writing; (2) it must go to a sole decision-maker in the
regional office of the region where the ban originated for review; and
(3) it may accompany supporting documentation.
Respondents for this collection are individuals appealing their
banning from SSA field offices.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated
Regulation section Number of Frequency of per response total annual
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 CFR 422.905.................................. 75 1 15 19
20 CFR 422.906.................................. 75 1 20 25
---------------------------------------------------------------
Totals...................................... 150 .............. .............. 44
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated: December 21, 2012.
Paul Kryglik,
Director Office of Regulations & Report, Clearance Social Security
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-31161 Filed 12-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P