[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 228 (Monday, November 29, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 66686-66687] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-30945] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/ States, SDX/BENDEX Files--Match Numbers 6001, 6002, 6004) 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 with the States. 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 telefax to (410) 966-2935 or writing to the Associate Commissioner for Program Support, 4400 West High Rise Building, 640l 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 as shown above. 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 in a system of records are matched with other Federal, State, or local government records. 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 the Data Integrity Boards' approval of the match 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 all of SSA's computer matching programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended. Susan M. Daniels, Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs. Dated: November 9, 1999. Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration (SSA) with the States A. Participating Agencies SSA and the States. B. Purpose of the Matching Program Section 1137 of the Social Security Act requires individual States to have in effect an income and eligibility verification system meeting certain requirements in order to administer certain State benefit programs. A chief purpose of this matching program is to facilitate administration of this provision. Individual agreements with the States will describe the conditions under which SSA and other States agree to disclose information to each other relating to the eligibility for, and payment of, Social Security and supplemental security income benefits and State-administered income, food assistance, and medical assistance programs described in section 1137, including tax return information disclosed by SSA in accordance with applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The matching program will also be used to implement provisions of Pub. L. 104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act of 1996, involving the significance of Social Security coverage information to the eligibility of certain aliens for some Federal and State public benefits. Under this matching program, SSA will disclose certain Social Security coverage information on specific persons to States administering appropriate benefit programs. C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program Sections 1106 and 1137 of the Social Security Act. Sections 402, 412, 421 and 435 of Pub. L. 104-193. Relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code under 26 U.S.C. 6103. D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Match States will provide SSA with names and other identifying information of appropriate benefit applicants or recipients. Specific information from participating States will be matched as provided in the agreement for the specific program with the following systems of records maintained by SSA: 1. SDX--Supplemental Security Income Record, SSA/OSR (09-60-0103); 2. BENDEX--Master Beneficiary Record, SSA/OSR (09-60-0090) and the Earnings Recording and Self-Employment Income System, SSA/OSR (09-60- 0059); 3. EVS--Master Files of Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and SSN Applications, SSA/OSR (09-60-0058). 4. SVES--Supplemental Security Income Record, SSA/OSR (09-60-0103), Master Beneficiary Record, SSA/OSR (09-60-0090), the Earnings Recording and Self-Employment Income System, SSA/OSR (09-60-0059), and the Master Files of Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and SSN Applications, SSA/OSR (09-60-0058). 5. Quarters of Coverage Query--the Earnings Recording and Self- Employment Income System, SSA/OSR (09-60-0059), and the Master Files of Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and SSN Applications, SSA/OSR (09- 60-0058). [[Page 66687]] SSA and the States will exchange information through the File Transfer Management System (FTMS). Cartridge or magnetic tape will be used in the event FTMS is inoperable. E. Inclusive Dates of the Match The matching program shall become effective no sooner than 40 days after notice of the matching program is sent to Congress and OMB, or 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever is later. Individual State matching agreements under the program may also become effective upon the signature of the agreements by the parties to the agreements. The agreements with individual States 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. 99-30945 Filed 11-26-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191-02-P