[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]


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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.

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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