[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 23820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11241]



[[Page 23820]]

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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program (SSA/State or 
Local Vital Statistics Organizations)

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Notice of computer matching programs.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as 
amended, this notice announces computer matching programs 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 programs will be effective as indicated 
below.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by either 
telefax to (410) 966-2935 or writing to the Associate Commissioner for 
Program Support, 4400 West High Rise Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21235. 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:

A. 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 protections 
for individuals applying for and receiving Federal benefits. Section 
7201 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508) 
further amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such 
individuals. The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer 
matching by Federal agencies when records pertaining to individuals in 
a system of records are matched with other Federal, State or local 
government records. Among other things, it requires 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 required Data Integrity Board approval of matching 
agreements;
    (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.

B. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

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

    Dated: April 16, 1997.
John J. Callahan,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security.

Notice of Computer Matching Programs, Social Security Administration 
(SSA) with Participating State or Local Vital Statistics Organizations

A. Participating Agencies

    SSA and State or Local Vital Statistics Organizations.

B. Purpose of the Matching Programs

    The purpose of these matching programs is to establish conditions 
under which each participating State or local vital statistics 
operation agrees to the disclosure to SSA of information regarding 
certain individuals who have divorced or married. The disclosure will 
provide SSA with information useful in determining claim and benefit 
status under both title II and title XVI of the Social Security Act 
(the Act), as changes in marital status of certain persons may affect 
benefits/payments under specific provisions of those titles.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Programs

    This matching operation is carried out under the authority of 
sections 202 (42 U.S.C. 402), 216 (42 U.S.C. 416) and 1614 (42 U.S.C. 
1382c) of the Act, which require SSA to make determinations of 
entitlement/eligibility for certain categories of Social Security or 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits/payments due to changes in 
marital status. In addition, section 1631(e)(1)(B) of the Act (42 
U.S.C. 1383(e)(1)(B)) requires SSA to verify declarations of applicants 
for and recipients of SSI payments before making a determination of 
eligibility or payment amount.

D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered

    Each participating State or local government vital statistics 
operation will disclose certain State marriage and divorce information 
to SSA. Each participating operation will provide SSA with a file 
including Social Security Numbers (if available) of individuals who 
have married or divorced within its jurisdiction during the period 
covered by the matching program. The State and local sources will 
disclose the data for SSA's use in verifying entitlement/eligibility 
and/or benefit/payment amounts under the Social Security and SSI 
programs administered by SSA. Changes in marital status can affect 
entitlement to various categories of Social Security benefits under 
title II of the Social Security Act (Act). In the SSI program under 
title XVI of the Act, marriage or divorce can affect eligibility for 
payments, or the amount of payments. The marriage and divorce data thus 
provided will be matched with appropriate systems of records maintained 
by SSA in order to help determine eligibility or correct benefit/
payment amounts under titles II and XVI of the Act.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Match

    Any specific matching agreement with a State or local entity shall 
become effective no sooner than 40 days after notice of the matching 
program and of the model agreement for the program is sent to Congress 
and the Office of Management and Budget, 30 days after publication of 
this notice in the Federal Register, or after the signature of both 
parties to the specific agreement, whichever 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. 97-11241 Filed 4-30-97; 8:45 am]
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