[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 7521-7523] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2015-02657] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA-2015-0002] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed 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 and an extension 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, OLCA, Attn: Reports Clearance Director, 3100 West High Rise, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235, Fax: 410-966-2830, Email address: [email protected]. Or you may submit your comments online through www.regulations.gov, referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-2015-0002]. 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 April 13, 2015. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instruments by writing to the above email address. 1. Certification by Religious Group--20 CFR 404.1075--0960-0093. SSA is responsible for determining whether religious groups meet the qualifications exempting certain members and sects from payment of Self-Employment Contribution Act taxes under the Internal Revenue Code, section 1402(g). SSA sends Form SSA-1458, Certification by Religious Group, to a group's authorized spokesperson to complete and to verify that organizational members meet or continue to meet the criteria for exemption. The respondents are spokespersons for religious groups or sects. 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-1458.................................... 180 1 15 45 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of a Deceased Beneficiary--20 CFR 404.503(b)--0960-0101. When a Social Security payment was due to a deceased beneficiary at the time of death, and there is insufficient information in the file to identify the person(s) entitled to the payment or the person's address, SSA asks the surviving spouse, next of kin, or legal representative of the estate to complete Form SSA-1724, Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of a Deceased Social Security Recipient. SSA collects the information when a surviving widow(er) is not already entitled to a monthly benefit on the same earnings record, or is not filing for a lump-sum death payment as a former spouse. SSA uses the information from Form SSA-1724 to ensure proper payment of an underpayment due a deceased beneficiary. The respondents are applicants for underpayments owed to deceased beneficiaries. Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information collection. [[Page 7522]] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average burden Estimated Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SSA-1724.................................... 250,000 1 10 41,667 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Request for Reconsideration--Disability Cessation--20 CFR 404.909, 416.1409--0960-0349. When SSA determines that claimants' disabilities ceased or are no longer sufficiently disabling, these claimants may ask SSA to reconsider that determination. SSA uses Form SSA-789-U4 to arrange for a hearing or to prepare a decision based on the evidence of record. Specifically, claimants or their representatives use Form SSA-789-U4 to: (1) Ask SSA to reconsider a determination; (2) indicate if they wish to appear at a disability hearing; (3) submit any additional information or evidence for use in the reconsidered determination; and (4) indicate if they will need an interpreter for the hearing. The respondents are applicants or claimants for Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. 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 responses response (minutes) (hours) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SSA-789-U4.................................. 30,000 1 13 6,500 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Certificate of Election for Reduced Spouse's Benefits--20 CFR 404.421--0960-0398. SSA cannot pay reduced Social Security benefits to an already entitled spouse unless the spouse elects to receive reduced benefits and is (1) at least age 62, but under full retirement age; and (2) no longer is caring for a child. In this situation, spouses who decide to elect reduced benefits must file Form SSA-25, Certificate of Election for Reduced Spouse's Benefits. SSA uses the information to pay qualified spouses who elect to receive reduced benefits. Respondents are entitled spouses seeking reduced Social Security benefits. Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information collection. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average burden Estimated total Collection instrument Number of Frequency of per response annual burden respondents response (minutes) (hours) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SSA-25...................................... 30,000 1 2 1,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Prohibition of Payment of SSI Benefits to Fugitive Felons and Parole/Probation Violators--20 CFR 416.708(o)--0960-0617. Section 1611(e)(4) of the Social Security Act precludes eligibility for SSI payments for certain fugitives and probation/parole violators. Regulations at 20 CFR 416.708(o) require individuals applying for or receiving SSI to report to SSA that (1) they are fleeing to avoid prosecution for a crime; (2) they are fleeing to avoid custody or confinement after conviction of a crime; or (3) they are violating a condition of probation or parole. SSA uses the information we receive to deny eligibility, or suspend recipients' SSI payments. The respondents are SSI applicants and recipients, or representative payees of SSI applicants and recipients, who are reporting their status as a fugitive felon or probation/parole violator. Type of Request: Extension 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) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Modernized SSI Claims System................ 1,000 1 1 17 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. Identifying Information for Possible Direct Payment of Authorized Fees--0960-0730. SSA collects information from claimants' appointed representatives on Form SSA-1695 to: (1) Process and facilitate direct payment of authorized fees; (2) issue a Form 1099- MISC, if applicable; and (3) establish a link between each claim for benefits and the data we collect on the SSA-1699 for our appointed representative database. The respondents are attorneys and other individuals who represent claimants for benefits before SSA. Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information collection. [[Page 7523]] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average burden Estimated total Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden respondents response (minutes) (hours) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SSA-1695.................................... 10,000 40 10 66,667 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Request for Business Entity Taxpayer Information--0960-0731. Law firms or other business entities must complete Form SSA-1694, Request for Business Entity Taxpayer Information, if they wish to serve as appointed representatives and receive direct payment of fees from SSA. SSA uses the information to issue a Form 1099-MISC. SSA also uses the information to allow business entities to designate individuals to serve as entity administrators authorized to perform certain administrative duties on their behalf, such as providing bank account information, maintaining entity information, and updating individual affiliations. Respondents are law firms or other business entities with attorneys or other qualified individuals as partners or employees who represent claimants before SSA. 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-1694--Paper Version......................... 1,000 1 10 167 SSA-1694--Business Services Online Submission... 1,000 1 10 167 --------------------------------------------------------------- Totals...................................... 2,000 .............. .............. 334 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. Request to Pay Civil Monetary Penalty by Installment Agreement-- 20 CFR 498--0960-0776. When SSA imposes a civil monetary penalty (CMP) on individuals for various fraudulent conduct related to SSA- administrated programs, those individuals may request to pay the CMP through benefit withholding, or an installment agreement. To negotiate a monthly payment amount, fair to both the individual and the agency, SSA needs financial information from the individual. The agency uses Form SSA-640 to obtain the information necessary to determine a monthly installment repayment rate for individuals owing a CMP. The respondents are recipients of Social Security benefits and non-entitled individuals who must repay a CMP to the agency and choose to do so using an installment plan. 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-640..................................... 400 1 120 800 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dated: February 5, 2015. Faye Lipsky, Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration. [FR Doc. 2015-02657 Filed 2-9-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191-02-P