[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 4 (Friday, January 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1168-1179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-318]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Program Announcement No. SSA-OESP-01-2]


Program: Cooperative Agreements for Benefits Planning, 
Assistance, and Outreach Projects

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Announcement of the availability of fiscal year 2001 
cooperative agreement funds and second request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The Social Security Administration (SSA) announces its 
intention to competitively award cooperative agreements to establish 
community-based benefits planning, assistance, and outreach projects in 
certain States and portions of States. The purpose of these projects is 
to disseminate accurate information to beneficiaries with disabilities 
(including transition-to-work aged youth) about work incentives 
programs and issues related to such programs, to enable them to make 
informed choices about work.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of cooperative agreement 
applications under this announcement is April 5, 2001.
    Prospective applicants are also asked to submit, preferably by 
February 5, 2001, a fax, post card, or letter of intent that includes 
(1) the program announcement number (SSA-OESP-01-2) and title (Benefits 
Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program); (2) the name of the agency 
or organization that is applying; and (3) the name, mailing address, 
email address,

[[Page 1169]]

telephone number, and fax number for the organization's contact person.
    The notice of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not 
enter into the review process of a subsequent application. The purpose 
of the notice of intent is to allow SSA staff to estimate the number of 
independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of 
interest in the review. The notice of intent should be faxed to (410) 
966-1278; mailed to Social Security Administration, Office of 
Employment Support Programs, Division of Employment Policy, 107 
Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-
6401; or emailed to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Send questions about this announcement 
to the following Internet email address: [email protected]. When sending 
in a question, reference program announcement number SSA-OESP-01-2 and 
the date of this announcement. Questions and answers will be posted to 
http://www.ssa.gov/work on the Frequently Asked_Questions page of the 
web site. Questioners will not be identified when questions are posted 
on the web site.
    Although the Internet is the preferred method of communication, 
applicants who have questions about the program content of the 
application may also contact: Cindy Barcelles, Program Analyst, or 
Natalie Funk, Team Leader, Social Security Administration, Office of 
Employment Support Programs, Division of Employment Policy, 107 
Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-
6401. The telephone number for Cindy Barcelles is (410) 966-2668; for 
Natalie Funk, (410) 965-0078. The fax number is (410) 966-1278.
    To obtain an application kit, see the instructions under part VI, 
section A. Although the Internet is SSA's preferred method of 
communication, for information regarding the application package, you 
may also contact: Phyllis Y. Smith, Dave Allshouse, or Gary Stammer, 
Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 
Grants Management Team, 1-E-4 Gwynn Oak Building, 1710 Gwynn Oak 
Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21207-5279. The telephone numbers are: 
Phyllis Y. Smith, (410) 965-9518, Dave Allshouse, (410) 965-9262, or 
Gary Stammer, (410) 965-9501. The fax numbers are (410) 966-9310 or 
966-1261.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: President Clinton signed the bill that 
became Public Law 106-170 on December 17, 1999 to expand the 
availability of health care coverage for working individuals with 
disabilities, to establish a Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency 
Program in SSA to provide beneficiaries with disabilities meaningful 
opportunities to work, and to provide benefits planning and assistance 
services, and outreach to beneficiaries with disabilities, among other 
purposes. SSA must ensure that benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach are available to all beneficiaries with disabilities 
nationally, on a statewide basis.
    On May 31, 2000, SSA made an announcement of cooperative agreement 
funds and requested applications at 65 FR 34768. SSA's intent is to 
establish benefits planning, assistance and outreach services in every 
State and U.S. Territory, and in the District of Columbia, and to 
ensure that services are available to all SSA beneficiaries with 
disabilities throughout each. Applications in response to our first 
announcement were not received from, or did not score highly enough in 
a review by independent panelists to be awarded for, the following 
locations:
     The entire States of Alabama, Nevada, North Dakota, 
Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia; and
     Certain counties in the States of Florida, Georgia, 
Louisiana, and Minnesota. (See part II, section C, Number, Size, and 
Duration of Projects.)
    This announcement is to request applications for fiscal year (FY) 
2001 cooperative agreement funds to provide direct benefits planning, 
assistance and outreach services to all SSA disability beneficiaries in 
the locations listed above.

    Note: SSA has awarded separate contracts to three organizations 
(Cornell University, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and the 
University of Missouri-Columbia (UMO-C)) to develop and provide 
technical assistance and training on SSA's programs and work 
incentives, Medicare and Medicaid, and on other Federal work 
incentives programs, to Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach 
Program cooperative agreement awardees. The contractors for projects 
targeting the following States are:
    Minnesota: Cornell--Thomas P. Golden, [email protected], (607) 
255-2731;
    Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, South Carolina, 
Tennessee, or Virginia: VCU--Susan O'Mara, (757) 412-2342; or Vicki 
Brooke, (804) 828-1873;
    North Dakota or Oregon: UMO-C--C. David Roberts, 
[email protected] (program/project management), or Diana 
Beckley, [email protected] (SSA/benefits planning technical 
knowledge): (573) 882-3807.

    SSA will conduct pre-application seminars to provide interested 
applicants with guidance and technical assistance in preparing their 
applications. Information about where and when the seminars will be 
held will be on our web site: www.ssa.gov/work/Service Providers/
Contracts and grants/BPAO.

Table of Contents

Part I. Program Description

A. Introduction
B. Background
C. Purpose of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach 
Program
D. Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program Goals

Part II. Authority and Type of Awards

A. Statutory Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
Number
B. Type of Awards
C. Number, Size, and Duration of Projects
D. Awardee Share of the Project Costs

Part III. The Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants
B. Targeted Geographic Area/Population
C. Application Process
D. Application Consideration
E. Application Approval
F. Costs

Part IV. Program Requirements

A. General Requirements
B. Description of Projects
C. Benefits Specialist Responsibilities and Competencies
D. Management Information and Reporting
E. Evaluation

Part V. Application Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

A. Screening Requirements
B. Evaluation Criteria

Part VI. Instructions for Obtaining and Submitting Application

A. Availability of Forms
B. Checklist for a Complete Application
C. Guidelines for Application Submission

Part I. Program Description

A. Introduction

    Section 1149 of the Social Security Act, as added by section 121 of 
the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 
(TWWIIA), requires the Commissioner of Social Security (the 
Commissioner) to establish a community-based work incentives planning 
and assistance program. Under this program, the Commissioner is 
required to establish a competitive program of grants, cooperative 
agreements, or contracts to provide benefits planning and assistance. 
We have established a cooperative agreement program known as the 
Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach (BPAO) Program to 
disseminate accurate information to beneficiaries with disabilities 
about work incentives programs and issues related to such programs.

[[Page 1170]]

B. Background

    Even though employment opportunities have increased due to 
technology, legislation, and changes in societal attitudes, only a 
small percentage of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or 
disabled or blind Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries 
leave the rolls because of work activity. There are a number of reasons 
for this. First, beneficiaries of SSDI and SSI based on disability or 
blindness, by definition, have serious disabilities, which limit 
choices in employment. However, disability advocates report that many 
individuals with disabilities who receive public assistance want to 
work, or increase their work activity, and may be willing to attempt to 
work or increase work activity, with proper assistance and support. 
There is also evidence that many individuals with severe disabilities 
do work and do not rely on income supports.
    Second, people with disabilities who want to work face significant 
barriers. Many advocates and people with disabilities contend that the 
fear of losing health care benefits is the largest impediment. Public 
health insurance and long-term care services are usually tied to income 
support programs such as SSDI, SSI, and Temporary Assistance for Needy 
Families (TANF). Employment-based health insurance is frequently not 
available to those with disabilities due to pre-existing condition 
clauses or exclusions of treatment for mental illness. Private 
insurance is often unaffordable for people with serious illnesses and 
chronic or long-term impairments, since they are charged much higher 
than average premiums.
    Third, while the SSDI, SSI, Medicare and Medicaid programs all 
contain valuable work incentives provisions which can extend cash 
benefits and medical coverage, they are under-used and, often, are 
poorly understood by beneficiaries and professionals alike. The 
complexity and nature of the work incentives, and the interrelationship 
of myriad Federal, State, and local programs on which beneficiaries 
rely, create uncertainty and fear. Beneficiaries are concerned that 
they may lose vital income supports and coverage for mental and 
physical health care if they attempt to work.
    For example, many people with disabilities rely on a patchwork of 
financial supports that have different eligibility criteria and 
application procedures. The benefits derived from a number of these 
programs are means-tested. Increases in income can also cause rent 
increases in section 8 housing, loss of food stamps or public 
assistance payments. Many individuals who may be willing to risk the 
loss of cash benefits from TANF, SSDI or SSI cannot absorb the loss of 
housing subsidies and other supports.
    Despite these barriers, many people with severe disabilities have 
managed to use existing services and work incentives to reach their 
goals of financial self-sufficiency, while retaining necessary 
supports. However, those who are successful in returning to work 
frequently report that the availability of a knowledgeable advocate 
made a difference in their ability to navigate complex program 
requirements and in their willingness to attempt to return to work. 
Further, the support of that advocate provided them a sense of security 
needed to maintain work activity. The projects funded under this 
cooperative agreement program are part of SSA's Employment Strategy for 
People with Disabilities to increase the number of beneficiaries who 
return to work and achieve self-sufficiency by delivering direct 
services to beneficiaries.

C. Purpose of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program

    The purpose of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach 
Program is to provide Statewide benefits planning and assistance, 
including information on the availability of protection and advocacy 
services, to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities, and to 
conduct ongoing outreach to those beneficiaries with disabilities (and 
to their families) who are potentially eligible to participate in State 
or Federal work incentives programs.
    The Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program is required 
by TWWIIA and is part of SSA's employment strategy for people with 
disabilities. One of SSA's goals in implementing TWWIIA is to help 
achieve a substantial increase in the number of beneficiaries who 
return to work and achieve self-sufficiency. In support of this goal, 
SSA is seeking well-qualified applicants to provide SSDI and SSI 
beneficiaries with benefits planning, assistance, and outreach. While 
other parts of SSA's employment strategy for people with disabilities 
provide direct employment services to help beneficiaries become 
employed or increase their level of employment, this program aims to 
improve beneficiaries' understanding of work options so that they may 
make more informed choices regarding work.

D. Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program Goals

    The goal of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program 
is to support SSA's overall employment strategy for persons with 
disabilities by providing benefits planning and assistance, and 
conducting outreach to beneficiaries with disabilities, about Federal, 
State, and local work incentives programs and related issues.
    To assist SSA in assessing the scope and utility of outreach and 
information provided under this program, each project will be required 
to:
    1. collect data pertaining to benefits planning and assistance, and 
outreach activities as described in Part IV, Section D, Management 
Information and Reporting; and
    2. cooperate with SSA in providing the information needed for a 
customer satisfaction survey on the quality of the benefits planning 
and assistance services being provided and for an assessment of the 
success of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program.

    Note: SSA plans to conduct such surveys in years two and five of 
the projects. More frequent surveys may be conducted if a need is 
indicated by the results of the first survey.

    SSA will evaluate the data in 1. above and the results of the 
customer satisfaction surveys to determine the extent to which the 
projects were effective in providing benefits planning and assistance 
services, and outreach. The effectiveness of the projects will be 
measured by the range of beneficiaries served and responses regarding 
the knowledge of SSA work incentives and utility of benefits planning 
and assistance services. Data to be collected will include information 
about:
     Beneficiaries who receive comprehensive, coordinated 
benefits planning and assistance services, and outreach;
     Beneficiaries' demographic characteristics;
     Beneficiaries' income support characteristics (including 
earnings and SSA and non-SSA benefits);
     Beneficiaries' non-income support characteristics 
(including access to public and private health care); and
     Beneficiaries' work and benefit related goals and 
strategies.

Part II. Authority and Type of Awards

A. Statutory Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
Number

    Legislative authority for this cooperative agreement program is in 
section 1149 of the Social Security Act (the Act), as established by 
section 121 of the TWWIIA, Public Law 106-170.

[[Page 1171]]

The regulatory requirements that govern the administration of SSA 
awards are in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, parts 74 and 
92. Applicants are urged to review the requirements in the applicable 
regulations. This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under Program No. 96.008, Social Security Administration--
Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program.

B. Type of Awards

    All awards made under this program will be in the form of 
cooperative agreements. A cooperative agreement anticipates substantial 
involvement between SSA and the awardee during the performance of the 
project. Involvement will include collaboration or participation by SSA 
in the management of the activity as determined at the time of the 
award. For example, SSA will be involved in decisions involving 
strategy, hiring of personnel, deployment of resources, release of 
public information materials, quality assurance, and coordination of 
activities with other offices.

C. Number, Size, and Duration of Projects

    Section 1149(d) of the Act authorizes annual appropriations not to 
exceed $23 million for FYs 2000 through 2004. Actual funding 
availability during this period is subject to annual appropriation by 
Congress. If funds are available, SSA intends to fund a limited number 
of awards in FY 2001. SSA anticipates that all awards under this 
announcement will be made by April 30, 2001.
    SSA will award a cooperative agreement to a qualified entity based 
in part on the number of beneficiaries with disabilities in the State 
where the project is located, with the following limitations:
     No entity shall receive a cooperative agreement for a 
fiscal year that is less than $50,000 or more than $300,000; and
     The total amount of all grants, cooperative agreements, or 
contracts awarded for the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach 
Program for any fiscal year (including amounts awarded for technical 
assistance and training contracts) may not exceed $23 million.
    Within these limitations, SSA intends to establish as many projects 
as needed to ensure Statewide benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries nationally. The applicant 
must demonstrate in sufficient detail that the number of beneficiaries 
with disabilities within the targeted area is sufficient to support a 
minimum award ($50,000), considering that SSA must ensure that all 
disability beneficiaries have access to benefits planning, assistance, 
and outreach.
    Subject to the availability of funds, SSA anticipates that the 
following amounts per State would be available to fund all of the 
Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach Program projects in these 
States, in FY 2001:

 Alabama--$474,952*
 Nevada--101,872
 North Dakota--50,000
 Oregon--206,037
 South Carolina--375,854*
 Tennessee--562,173*
 Virginia--468,588*

    *Note: No entity may receive an award of more than $300,000.

    Subject to the availability of funds, SSA anticipates that the 
following amounts would be available for projects targeting the 
following groups of counties in these States, in FY 2001:
 Florida
Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee and 
Okeechobee--$64,728
Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, 
Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, 
Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, 
Madison, Marion, Nassau, Okaloosa, Putnam, St. Johns, Santa Rosa, 
Suwanne, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, Washington--$329, 
619*

    *Note: No entity may receive an award of more than $300,000.

 Georgia
Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Bartow, Ben Hill, Berrien, 
Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, 
Catoosa, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahootchee, Chattooga, Clay, Clinch, 
Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Coweta, Dade, Dawson, Decatur, Early, 
Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Fannin, Floyd, Franklin, 
Gilmer, Glascock, Glynn, Gordon, Grady, Greene, Habersham, Haralson, 
Harris, Hart, Heard, Irwin, Jackson, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, 
Johnson, Lamar, Lanier, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, Lumpkin, 
McDuffie, McIntosh, Madison, Marion, Meriwether, Miller, Mitchell, 
Montgomery, Murray, Muscogee, Oglethorpe, Pickens, Pierce, Pike, Polk, 
Quitman, Rabun, Randolph, Richmond, Schley, Screven, Seminole, 
Spalding, Stephens, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Tattnall, 
Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Troup, 
Turner, Union, Upson, Walker, Ware, Warren, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, 
White, Whitfield, Wilcox, Wilkes, Worth--$313,908*

    *Note: No entity may receive an award of more than $300,000.

     Louisiana
    Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. 
Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist--$135,882
 Minnesota
Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Brown, Carlton, 
Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, 
Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, 
Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of 
the Woods, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, 
Mille Lacs, Morrison, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, 
Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, 
Renville, Rock, Roseau, St. Louis, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, 
Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadens, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Wright, 
Yellow Medicine--$214,635

    SSA intends to enter into cooperative agreements during the 5-year 
authorization period subject to the availability of annual 
appropriations by Congress. SSA may suspend or terminate any 
cooperative agreement in whole or in part at any time before the date 
of expiration, whenever it determines that the awardee has materially 
failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the cooperative 
agreement. SSA will promptly notify the awardee in writing of the 
determination and the reasons for suspension or termination together 
with the effective date.

D. Awardee Share of the Project Costs

    Awardees of SSA cooperative agreements are required to contribute a 
non-Federal match of at least 5 percent toward the cost of each 
project. The cost of the project is the sum of the Federal share (up to 
95 percent) and the non-Federal share (at least 5 percent). For 
example, an entity that is awarded a cooperative agreement of $100,000 
would need a non-Federal share of at least $5,263. The non-Federal 
share may be cash or in-kind (property or services) contributions.

[[Page 1172]]

Part III. The Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants

    A cooperative agreement may be awarded to any State or local 
government, public or private organization, or nonprofit or for-profit 
organization that the Commissioner determines is qualified to provide 
benefits planning, assistance, and outreach to all SSDI and SSI 
beneficiaries with disabilities, within the targeted geographic area. 
Awardees may include Centers for Independent Living established under 
title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, protection and advocacy 
organizations, Native American tribal entities, client assistance 
programs established in accordance with section 112 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, State Developmental Disabilities Councils 
established in accordance with section 124 of the Developmental 
Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, and State agencies 
administering the State program funded under part A of title IV of the 
Act. The Commissioner may also award a cooperative agreement to a State 
or local Workforce Investment Board, a Department of Labor (DOL) One-
Stop Career Center System established under the Workforce Investment 
Act of 1998, or a State vocational rehabilitation agency.
    SSA encourages applications from public or private agencies or 
organizations, including from local or divisional offices of larger or 
statewide agencies or organizations.
    Applications from local or divisional offices of larger entities, 
however, must demonstrate that the local or divisional office has 
authority to enter into cooperative agreements and to be ultimately 
responsible for funds.

    Note: For-profit organizations may apply with the understanding 
that no cooperative agreement funds may be profit to an awardee of a 
cooperative agreement. Profit is considered as any amount in excess 
of the allowable costs of the cooperative agreement awardee. A for-
profit organization is a corporation or other legal entity that is 
organized or operated for the profit or benefit of its shareholders 
or other owners and must be distinguishable or legally separable 
from that of an individual acting on his/her own behalf. 
Applications will not be accepted from applicants which do not meet 
the above eligibility criteria at the time of submission of 
applications.

    Cooperative agreements may not be awarded to:
     Any individual;
     Social Security Administration Field Offices;
     Any State agency administering the State Medicaid program 
under title XIX of the Act;
     Any entity that the Commissioner determines would have a 
conflict of interest if the entity were to receive a cooperative 
agreement under the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach 
Program; or
     Any organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1968 that engages in lobbying (in accordance 
with section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1611).

    Note: Any protection and advocacy organization must fully 
explain how it will ensure there will be no conflict of interest 
between providing benefits planning and assistance services and 
outreach, and delivering protection and advocacy services to 
beneficiaries. In particular, they must show how they will ensure 
full protection and advocacy services will be provided when the 
complaint is against the Benefits Specialist or organization. Also, 
any organization that will apply to be an employment network under 
SSA's Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program must fully explain 
how it will ensure there will be no conflict of interest if it also 
receives a cooperative agreement to provide benefits planning, 
assistance, and outreach. This is especially important in the area 
of assisting beneficiaries with PASS plans or other work incentives 
which will enable them to keep receiving benefits, thus delaying, or 
preventing entirely, payments to the employment network.

B. Targeted Geographic Area/Population

    To ensure statewide availability of benefits planning, assistance, 
and outreach, as required by section 1149 of the Act, SSA intends to 
award cooperative agreements partly on the basis of geographic area.
    While SSA recognizes that not every SSDI or SSI beneficiary with a 
disability will access benefits planning, assistance, and outreach, it 
must be available to each via the project targeting a specific 
geographic area. Therefore, each awarded project must make those 
services available to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities 
within the geographic area it serves. Because youth with disabilities 
is such an important population to target for those services, each 
project must make benefits planning, assistance, and outreach available 
to SSI recipients as young as age 14. In providing benefits planning, 
assistance, and outreach, projects must make concerted and aggressive 
efforts to address the needs of underserved individuals with 
disabilities from diverse ethnic and racial communities (e.g., Native 
Americans, Vietnamese). In particular, applicants should show how they 
intend to do outreach in ways that ensure interaction with diverse 
communities and must specify the geographic area they wish to cover.
    Entities are encouraged to collaborate with other public and/or 
private organizations (e.g., DOL One-Stop Career Center), through 
interagency agreements or other mechanisms, if necessary, to integrate 
services to beneficiaries with disabilities. Entities should also 
consider collaboration with other organizations to prepare an 
application for a cooperative agreement to provide benefits planning, 
assistance, and outreach to all beneficiaries within a specific area. 
For example, Native American tribal governments may collaborate to 
develop a proposal to cover specified reservation lands.
    All applications developed jointly by more than one agency or 
organization must identify only one organization as the lead 
organization and official applicant. The other participating agencies 
and organizations can be included as co-applicants, subgrantees or 
subcontractors. However, where more than the maximum award amount is 
requested, and would be awarded for the targeted geographic area, 
collaborating agencies should submit separate applications.

C. Application Process

    The cooperative agreement application process consists of a one-
stage, full application. Independent reviewers will competitively 
review the application against the evaluation criteria specified in 
this announcement (see Part V). Applications will be reviewed against 
others targeting the same State or locality; for example, an 
application targeting the State of Alabama will be competitively 
reviewed against all other applications targeting Alabama, including 
any that might target both Georgia and Alabama, or only specific 
portions of Alabama. (SSA must ensure that all beneficiaries with 
disabilities have access to benefits planning, assistance, and outreach 
throughout each of the States.)

D. Application Consideration

    Applications will be initially screened for relevance to this 
announcement. If judged irrelevant, the application will be returned to 
the applicant. Also, applications that do not meet the applicant 
eligibility criteria in Section A above will not be accepted.
    Applications that are complete and conform to the requirements of 
this announcement, the instructions in Form SSA-96-BK, and the separate 
instructions for completing Part III, Program Narrative (of the SSA-96-
BK), will be reviewed competitively against the evaluation criteria 
specified in Part

[[Page 1173]]

V of this announcement and evaluated by Federal and non-Federal 
personnel. See part VI for instructions on obtaining Form SSA-96-BK. 
The results of this review and evaluation will assist the Commissioner 
in making award decisions. Although the results of this review are a 
primary factor considered in making the decisions, the review score is 
not the only factor used. In selecting eligible applicants to be 
funded, consideration will be given to achieving statewide 
accessibility to benefits planning, assistance, and outreach to 
avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort.
    The application requirements in part IV are the minimum amount of 
required project information. Projects are responsible for collecting 
management information (MI) according to the guidelines provided, 
producing regular reports according to the guidelines provided, and 
producing a final report which analyzes the successes and/or failures 
of the methodology used to provide benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries, and others.
    All projects must adhere to SSA's Privacy and Confidentiality 
Regulations (20 CFR part 401) for maintaining records of individuals, 
as well as provide specific safeguards surrounding beneficiary 
information sharing, paper/computer records/data, and other issues 
potentially arising from providing benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities.

E. Application Approval

    Cooperative agreement awards will be issued within the constraints 
of available Federal funds and at the discretion of SSA. The official 
award document is the ``Notice of Cooperative Agreement Award.'' It 
will provide the amount of the award, the purpose of the award, the 
term of the agreement, the total project period for which support is 
contemplated, the amount of financial participation required, and any 
special terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement.

F. Costs

    Federal cooperative agreement funds may be used for allowable costs 
incurred by awardees in conducting direct benefits planning, 
assistance, and outreach services to SSA's beneficiaries with 
disabilities. These costs could include administrative and overall 
project management costs, within the limitations discussed earlier.
    Federal cooperative agreement funds are not intended to cover costs 
that are reimbursable under an existing public or private program, such 
as social services, rehabilitation services, or education. No SSDI or 
SSI beneficiary can be charged for any service delivered under a 
Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program cooperative 
agreement, including preparing a PASS. Benefits planning and assistance 
services are intended to be free and must be made accessible to all SSA 
beneficiaries with disabilities in the project's target geographical 
area. Project funds should not be used to create new benefits or 
extensions of existing benefits.

Part IV. Program Requirements

A. General Requirements

    The cooperative agreement awardees shall:
    1. Provide the location of the targeted service area(s) (by county, 
and independent city in VA) to SSA as part of the application (see Part 
III, Section B, Targeted Geographic Area/Population);
    2. Work with SSA's technical assistance and training contractor in 
arranging training for Benefits Specialists;
    3. Provide a brief project description to the contractor;
    4. Employ Benefits Specialists and have them attend an initial 5-
day face-to-face training session within 90 days of award of the 
cooperative agreement. SSA's technical assistance and training 
contractor will provide technical assistance and training to projects 
about SSA's programs and work incentives (e.g., trial-work period 
(TWP), extended period of eligibility (EPE), impairment-related work 
expenses (IRWE), Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS), 1619(a) and 
(b), and Medicaid buy-in provisions/Balanced Budget Act); Medicare and 
Medicaid; and on other Federal work incentives programs. (SSA will 
attend that training session to provide a half-day orientation session 
for project directors.) The applicant is responsible for providing 
technical assistance and training to Benefits Specialists about State 
and local programs.
    5. Have Benefits Specialists attend refresher/follow-up and new 
hire training sessions, as needed, and take part in the evaluation of 
training activities and the evaluation of ongoing training needs 
evaluation by the contractor.
    6. Within 90 days after award, the applicant will ensure Benefits 
Specialists have completed training, have developed outreach plans and 
begun initial outreach, and are prepared to provide direct benefits 
planning and assistance services to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with 
disabilities within the targeted geographic area who are requesting 
these services;
    7. Finalize the MI system data collection elements (as defined by 
SSA) and procedures with SSA within 60 days after award;
    8. Develop and submit quarterly reports that contain MI to SSA, 
Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG);
    9. Develop and submit quarterly financial reports to SSA, OAG;
    10. Provide a description of all planned changes to the project 
design for approval by SSA prior to implementation;
    11. Cooperate with SSA in scheduling and conducting site visits;
    12. Develop and maintain a collaborative working relationship with 
the local servicing Social Security office;
    13. Implement an ongoing management and quality assurance process 
that uses MI data; and
    14. Attend scheduled conferences, participate in panel and small 
group discussions, and make project presentations.

B. Description of Projects

    The project awardees shall:
     Provide direct individualized benefits planning and 
assistance, including information on the availability of protection and 
advocacy services, to beneficiaries with disabilities, including 
individuals participating in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency 
Program established under section 1148 of the Act, the program 
established under section 1619 of the Act, and other programs that are 
designed to encourage disabled beneficiaries to work;
     Conduct ongoing outreach efforts to beneficiaries with 
disabilities (and to the families of such beneficiaries) who are 
potentially eligible to participate in Federal or State work incentives 
programs that are designed to assist beneficiaries with disabilities to 
work, by preparing and disseminating information and explaining such 
programs. In conducting benefits planning, assistance, and outreach 
activities, project awardees will work in cooperation with other 
Federal, State, and private agencies and nonprofit organizations that 
serve beneficiaries with disabilities, and with agencies and 
organizations that focus on vocational rehabilitation and work-related 
training and counseling, including DOL One-Stop Career Centers.
    In order to be considered for an award, applicants must describe:

[[Page 1174]]

     Their understanding of benefits planning and assistance, 
including the benefits programs with which they have worked in the 
past;
     How they will notify all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with 
disabilities in the targeted geographic area about benefits planning 
and assistance and provide those services to beneficiaries;
     Their understanding of outreach, and how they will conduct 
outreach to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities (and their 
families) in the targeted geographic area who are potentially eligible 
to participate in Federal or State work incentives programs designed to 
assist beneficiaries with disabilities to work, and, particularly, how 
the outreach strategies, information, and materials will be modified to 
seek out different ethnic and racial groups;
     The scope of the project; and
     How that project achieves the Benefits Planning, 
Assistance, and Outreach Program goals in Part I, Section D.
    The applicants must also describe how they will address any special 
cultural requirements of populations (e.g., Native Americans) within 
the targeted geographic area, as well as non-English speaking 
populations (e.g., Vietnamese) and SSI recipients as young as age 14.
    In providing benefits planning and assistance services, and 
conducting outreach, projects must be sensitive to issues such as 
cultural differences and non-English speaking populations within the 
areas they serve (e.g., Native Americans, Vietnamese). Specifically, 
projects must address the needs of underserved individuals with 
disabilities from diverse ethnic and racial communities and show how 
they intend to provide outreach in ways that ensure interaction with 
diverse communities.
    Applicants must also provide information on:
     Collaborative relationships with relevant agencies, 
including SSA's field offices, and organizations (e.g., Centers for 
Independent Living, DOL One-Stop Career Centers);
     Specific services and supports that will be involved in 
the project and their roles;
     Case management and monitoring systems and techniques to 
be used;
     Methods of evaluating benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach provided; and
     The MI and quality assurance process that will be used.
    Applicants must also describe how Benefits Specialists will be 
trained on numerous supports which are often used by people with 
disabilities, such as long-term care, subsidized housing, paratransit, 
and food stamps; variations in benefits and services in the State in 
which the applicant is located; the State's work incentives programs; 
workers' compensation and unemployment insurance programs; vocational 
rehabilitation services; work-related training and counseling programs; 
and other community-based support programs designed to enable people 
with disabilities to work.
    Applicants must also describe how Benefits Specialists will be 
trained to conduct outreach by providing information, guidance, and 
planning to beneficiaries with disabilities on the:
     Availability and interrelation of any Federal or State 
work incentives programs designed to assist beneficiaries with 
disabilities for which the individual may be eligible to participate;
     Adequacy of any health benefits coverage that may be 
offered by an employer of the individual and the extent to which other 
health benefits coverage may be available to the individual; and
     Availability of protection and advocacy services for 
beneficiaries with disabilities and how to access such services.

    Note: The technical assistance and training contractor may 
provide technical assistance materials to enable project Benefits 
Specialists to get information about the subjects in the preceding 
paragraphs. However, each awardee shall be responsible for ensuring 
that Benefits Specialists are well-versed in these areas.

    Applicants must describe any plans they have to collaborate or 
coordinate with public and private organizations to achieve and/or 
improve their project goals and submit evidence to SSA of these 
organizations' capabilities, and willingness to participate (e.g., 
letters of intent, memoranda of understanding). Applicants should not 
request letters of intent or commitment from SSA field offices. SSA 
will assure field office cooperation.
    Each applicant must describe the number of beneficiaries with 
disabilities it expects to serve. If the target group is not large 
enough to justify a minimum award of $50,000, the applicant will not be 
considered further.

    Note: All SSDI and SSI beneficiaries (including SSI recipients 
as young as age 14) within the geographic area served by the 
project, must be able to access benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach via the project.

    The project may be part of a larger State initiative; e.g., a DOL 
One-Stop Career Center, that serves other individuals with 
disabilities, such as TANF recipients; however, funds provided by SSA 
under the cooperative agreements cannot be used to serve people with 
disabilities who are not beneficiaries of SSDI and/or SSI.

C. Benefits Specialist Responsibilities and Competencies

1. Responsibilities
    Cooperative agreement awardees shall select individuals who will 
act as Benefits Specialists. Benefits Specialists will provide work 
incentives planning and assistance directly to beneficiaries with 
disabilities; conduct outreach efforts to beneficiaries with 
disabilities (and their families), who are potentially eligible to 
participate in Federal or State work incentives programs designed to 
assist disabled beneficiaries to work; and work in cooperation with 
Federal, State, and private agencies and nonprofit organizations that 
serve beneficiaries with disabilities. Benefits Specialists will also 
provide information on the adequacy of health benefits coverage that 
may be offered by an employer of a beneficiary with a disability; the 
extent to which other health benefits coverage may be available to that 
beneficiary; and the availability of protection and advocacy services 
for beneficiaries with disabilities, and how to access such services.
Benefits Planning
    Benefits planning requires an in-depth understanding of the current 
status of a beneficiary being served. Initial benefits planning will 
support a beneficiary over a period of several weeks to several months, 
concluding when the beneficiary has received guidance to support 
informed choices. Benefits Specialists will establish plans for 
beneficiaries with disabilities, and develop long-term supports that 
may be needed to ensure success. Following the initial benefits 
planning process, they will provide periodic, follow-up planning 
services to ensure that the information, analysis, and guidance are 
updated as new conditions (with regard to the applicable programs or to 
the individual's situation) arise.
    To provide benefits planning services, Benefits Specialists will:
     Obtain and evaluate comprehensive information about a 
beneficiary with a disability, on the following:

--Beneficiary background information,
--Disability,
--Employment and earnings,
--Resources,
--Federal and State benefits,
--Health insurance,

[[Page 1175]]

--Work expenses,
--Work incentives, and
--Service(s) and supports;

     Assess the potential impacts of employment and/or other 
changes on a beneficiary's Federal and State benefits eligibility and 
overall financial well-being;
     Provide information and assist the beneficiary in 
understanding and assessing the potential impacts of employment and/or 
other actions or changes on his/her life situation, and provide 
specific guidance regarding the affects of various work incentives;
     Develop a comprehensive framework of possible options 
available to a beneficiary and projected results for each as part of 
the career development and employment process; and
     Ensure confidentiality of all information provided.
Benefits Assistance
    Benefits assistance involves the delivery of information and direct 
supports for the purpose of assisting a beneficiary in dealing with 
benefit issues and effectively managing benefits. Benefits assistance 
also involves providing information and referral and problem-solving 
services as needed. Benefits management services will generally build 
on previous planning and assistance services and include periodic 
updates of an individual's specific information, reassessment of 
benefit(s) and overall impacts, education and advisement, and 
additional planning for monitoring and managing benefits and work 
incentives.
    To provide benefits assistance services, Benefits Specialists will:
     Provide time-limited direct assistance to a beneficiary in 
the development of a comprehensive, long-term benefits management plan 
to guide the effective monitoring and management of Federal and State 
benefits and work incentives. Specific components of the plan must 
address:

--Desired benefit and work outcomes,
--Related steps or activities necessary to achieve outcomes,
--Associated dates or time frames,
--Building on initial benefits planning efforts including information 
gathering, analysis and advisement, and
--Benefits/financial analysis (pre- and post-employment);

     Provide time-limited, intensive assistance to 
beneficiaries, their key stakeholders, and their support teams in 
making informed choices and establishing both employment-related goals 
as well as needed benefits management supports. Needed benefits 
assistance could include:

--How SSDI and SSI work incentives programs may lead to self-supporting 
employment by developing a PASS,
--Developing a PASS which can be used to obtain training, education, 
and entrepreneurial opportunities,
--How a PASS can be used to address some of the barriers to employment, 
such as obtaining a car for transportation needs, and
--The 1619(b) provisions and requirements;

     Advocate on behalf of a beneficiary with other agencies 
and programs, which requires in-person, telephone and/or written 
communication with the individual and other involved parties generally 
over a period of several weeks to several months;
     Provide time-limited follow-up assistance as needed to 
beneficiaries who have previously received benefits planning and/or 
other types of benefits assistance services and:

--Assist them and other involved parties to update information,
--Reassess impact of employment and other changes on benefits and work 
incentives, and
--Provide additional guidance on benefit options, issues and management 
strategies;

     Assist beneficiaries as needed to update benefits 
management plan;
     Provide information, referral, and problem-solving 
support;
     Provide ongoing, comprehensive, benefits monitoring and 
management assistance to beneficiaries who are likely to experience 
employment, benefits, or other changes that may dramatically affect 
their benefit(s) status, health care, or overall financial well being; 
and
     Provide long-term benefits management on a scheduled, 
continuous basis, allowing for the planning and provision of supports 
at regular checkpoints, as well as critical transition points in an 
individual's benefits, employment and overall situation.
Outreach
    Outreach activities are ongoing, systematic efforts to inform 
individuals of available work incentives, as well as the services and 
supports available to enable them to access and benefit from those work 
incentives. Outreach efforts should be targeted directly to SSDI and 
SSI beneficiaries with disabilities, their families, and to advocacy 
groups and service provider agencies that have regular contact with 
them. Outreach activities should be directed toward and sensitive to 
the needs of individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, persons with 
English as their second language, as well as non-English speaking 
persons, individuals residing in highly urban or rural areas, and other 
traditionally underserved groups.
    To conduct ongoing outreach, Benefits Specialists will:
     Prepare and disseminate information explaining Federal or 
State work incentives programs and their interrelationships; and
     Work in cooperation with other Federal, State, and private 
agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve beneficiaries with 
disabilities, and with agencies and organizations that focus on 
vocational rehabilitation and work-related training and counseling.
    The Benefits Specialists will conduct outreach to SSDI and SSI 
beneficiaries with disabilities (and their families), who are 
potentially eligible to participate in Federal or State work incentives 
programs that are designed to assist beneficiaries with disabilities to 
work.
2. Competencies
    Applicants must ensure that Benefits Specialists have the skills 
required to competently provide benefits planning and assistance 
services, and outreach. We prefer that cooperative agreement awardees 
use Benefits Specialists who have attained a bachelor's degree in a 
relevant field, or that they use Benefit Specialists with relevant 
experience. Benefit Specialists may possess a combination of education 
and experience if the experience provides the knowledge, skills and 
abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
    Benefits Specialists should bring the following knowledge, skills, 
and abilities to the position:
     Basic math skills, with an emphasis on problem solving;
     Deductive ability with analytical thinking and creative 
problem solving skills;
     Acceptable interviewing skills;
     Ability to interpret Federal laws, regulations, and 
administrative code about public benefits;
     Communication skills (written and/or verbal);
     Knowledge of medical terminology and awareness of cultural 
and political issues pertaining to various populations and to various 
disabilities; and
     Basic computer skills.
    Benefits Specialists will need to become proficient in the 
following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
     SSDI and SSI disability programs;
     Knowledge of all public benefits programs, including 
operations and inter-relationships;

[[Page 1176]]

     Translating technical information for lay individuals;
     Accessing information in a variety of ways (including the 
ability to be able to recognize when additional information is needed);
     Interpersonal skills (e.g., recognize and help people 
manage anger and conflict, enjoy working with individuals);
     Counseling skills (ability to listen, evaluate 
alternatives, advise on potential cause of action);
     Knowledge of SSA field office structure and how to work 
with various work incentives coordinators (e.g., PASS specialists, 
employment support representatives);
     Knowledge of the structure and design of public and 
private benefits systems and local community services; and
     Knowledge of ethics (e.g., confidentiality, conflict of 
interest).
    The applicant must clearly explain how it will ensure all 
individuals hired as Benefits Specialists will possess or acquire the 
relevant knowledge, skills and abilities. SSA has contracted with 
separate entities to provide technical assistance and training to 
cooperative agreement awardees on an ongoing basis about SSA's programs 
and work incentives, Medicare and Medicaid, and other Federal work 
incentives programs. Those entities are: Cornell University for SSA 
Regions I, II and V (which includes Minnesota); Virginia Commonwealth 
University for Regions III (including Virginia), IV (including Alabama, 
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee), VI (including 
Louisiana), and IX (including Nevada); and the University of Missouri, 
Columbia for Regions VII, VIII (including North Dakota), and X 
(including Oregon). The applicant is responsible for providing 
technical assistance and training to Benefits Specialists about State 
and local programs.

D. Management Information and Reporting

    In addition to cooperating with the surveys outlined in Part I, 
Section D, entities must provide all collected data and report the 
results to SSA's Office of Acquisition and Grants, as described below.
    Common data elements, as defined by SSA, will be collected by all 
projects. The awardee and SSA will use the management information (MI) 
data to manage the project and to determine what additional resources 
or other approaches may be needed to improve the process. The data will 
also be valuable to SSA in its analysis of and future planning for the 
SSDI and SSI programs.
    All projects must adhere to SSA's Privacy and Confidentiality 
Regulations (20 CFR part 401) for maintaining records of individuals, 
as well as provide specific safeguards surrounding beneficiary 
information sharing, paper/computer records/data, and other issues 
potentially arising from providing benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities.
    All projects shall provide for the design, development, 
implementation, and maintenance of an MI system, which must be 
compatible with SSA database specifications that are fixed-format ASCII 
files. The MI system shall allow for necessary data collection on SSDI 
and SSI beneficiaries. For the purpose of providing MI to SSA in 
support of the implementation and management of the projects, projects 
will collect, analyze, and summarize the data listed below:
Beneficiary Background Information
1. Beneficiary/recipient name (Last, First, Middle)
2. Date of birth
3. Gender
4. Special language or other considerations
5. Mailing address
6. Telephone number
7. Social Security number
8. Representative payee (RP) name (if applicable)
9. RP address
10. Current level of education
11. Whether pursuing education currently and at what level (e.g., post 
secondary, continuing adult education, special education, vocational 
education)
12. Proposed educational goals
13. Primary diagnosis
14. Secondary diagnosis (if applicable)
15. Employer health care coverage at outset (if working)
16. Other health care coverage
Employment Information (current and proposed goal--where applicable)
1. Self-employed or employee
2. Type of work
3. Beginning date
4. Hours per week
5. Monthly gross earned income
6. Monthly net earned income
7. Work-related expenses
Proposed Training Information
1. Work-related training/counseling program
2. Proposed other training
Benefits (current and expected changes if employment goals are reached)
1. SSDI
2. SSI
3. Concurrent (SSDI and SSI)
4. Medicare
5. Medicaid
6. Subsidized housing or other rental subsidies
7. Food Stamps
8. General Assistance
9. Workers Compensation benefits
10. Unemployment Insurance benefits
11. Other Federal, State, or local supports, including TANF (specify)
Incentives To Be Used
1. Trial-work period (TWP)
2. Extended period of eligibility (EPE)
3. Impairment-related work expenses (IRWE)
4. Plan for achieving self-support (PASS)
5. 1619(a)
6. 1619(b)
7. Medicaid buy-in provisions/Balanced Budget Act
Services To Be Used
1. Vocational Rehabilitation services
2. Paratransit services
3. Protection and Advocacy services
4. Work-related training/counseling program
5. DOL One-Stop Career Center services
6. Transitioning youth services (from school to post-secondary 
education or to work)
Monthly Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Activities 
Performed by Benefits Planning Organization
1. Number of SSDI/SSI beneficiaries (over age 18) requesting assistance 
(initial and repeat requests)
2. Number of SSDI/SSI beneficiaries (ages 14 to 18) requesting 
assistance (initial and repeat requests)
3. Number of new benefits management plans prepared
4. Number of updated benefits management plans prepared
5. Number of presentations given at forums, conferences, meetings, etc.

    All data elements are to be collected in accordance with precise 
definitions to be provided by SSA during start-up activities. Adherence 
to such precise definitions is crucial to the comparability of the data 
across project sites.
    Entities awarded cooperative agreements under this notice shall 
submit quarterly progress reports to SSA, OAG. SSA expects that the 
projects will need a period of time to begin providing services and 
collecting management information. Therefore, the first quarterly 
report shall include a description of the project, a status of data 
collection operations, actions that were taken, planned actions, and a

[[Page 1177]]

description of how the project is addressing the needs of individuals 
with disabilities from diverse ethnic and racial communities, both in 
benefits planning and in carrying out outreach activities.
    Subsequent reports shall provide: a status of the project, any 
problems or proposed changes in the project (e.g., requests for 
technical assistance from contractor, interagency agreement change); 
specific information (baseline data/program statistics) required by 
SSA, including that listed above; a description of how the project is 
addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities from diverse 
ethnic and racial communities, both in benefits planning and in 
carrying out outreach activities; actions that were taken, and planned 
actions. The quarterly reports shall be submitted to SSA, OAG, within 
30 days after the end of the quarter.
    SSA personnel (SSA Project Officer and/or other staff) expect to 
visit each project at least once in each year of the cooperative 
agreement. The SSA Project Officer shall review site operations, 
including collection of management information, and evaluate how 
projects are finding ways to make benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach activities more effective in achieving SSA's Benefits 
Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program goals.
    Staff members from each project shall attend an initial training 
meeting that will include an orientation session by SSA, and subsequent 
scheduled conferences at SSA headquarters or alternate sites chosen by 
SSA. Those meetings will provide awardees of cooperative agreements 
with the opportunity to exchange information with SSA and other 
awardees.

E. Evaluation

Process Evaluation
    The purpose of process evaluation is for SSA and the awardee to 
assess how the project functioned and how the process might be altered 
to more efficiently and/or successfully provide the services required 
under section 1149 of the Act. The process evaluation will require both 
data collection and qualitative observational evaluation through site 
visits and/or project reporting.
Participant Experience
    The goal of these cooperative agreements is the provision of 
services to enhance beneficiary awareness and understanding of SSA work 
incentives and thereby enhance beneficiaries' ability to make informed 
choices regarding work. The goal is not to provide employment services. 
Nevertheless, SSA is clearly interested in identifying participant 
outcomes under the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program 
to determine the extent to which participants achieve their employment, 
financial, and health care goals. Therefore, SSA is requiring that 
cooperative agreement awardees collect data regarding the employment 
status, benefit status, and income of beneficiaries before providing 
services under these cooperative agreements. SSA intends to use this 
information to support the sample selection for participants in the 
customer satisfaction survey. This will allow SSA to include the 
experiences and outcomes of a broad range of beneficiaries.
    Each project shall submit periodic reports (as described in Part 
IV, Section D, Management Information and Reporting) to SSA, OAG. Data 
and information that are used in preparing the reports can be used, for 
example, to improve the efficiency of the project's operations, use of 
staff, and linkages between the project and the programs for which 
benefits planning is needed to better meet the needs of target 
populations. In addition, the evaluation results will be disseminated 
to other projects to promote learning, program refinements, and 
facilitate partnership and achievement of project objectives. Timely 
comprehensive MI data also allows for cost accounting, which helps 
improve the efficiency of service approaches and may inform future 
policy decisions.

Part V. Application Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

A. Screening Requirements

    All applications that meet the deadline will be screened to 
determine completeness and conformity to the requirements of this 
announcement. Complete and conforming applications will then be 
evaluated.
    1. Number of Copies: The applicant must submit one original signed 
and dated application and a minimum of two copies. The submission of 
seven additional copies is optional and will expedite processing, but 
will not affect the evaluation or scoring of the application.
    2. Length: The program narrative portion of the application (Part 
III of the SSA-96-BK) may not exceed 30 double-spaced pages (or 15 
single-spaced pages) on one side of the paper only, using standard 
(8\1/2\" x 11") size paper, and 12-point font. Attachments that support 
the program narrative count towards the 30-page limit.

B. Evaluation Criteria

    Applications that pass the screening process will be independently 
reviewed by at least three individuals, who will evaluate and score the 
applications based on the evaluation criteria. There are four 
categories of criteria used to score applications: capability; 
relevance/adequacy of program design; resources and management; and 
quality assurance plan. The total points possible for an application is 
100, and sections are weighted as noted in the descriptions of criteria 
below.
    Although the results from the independent panel reviews are the 
primary factor used in making funding decisions, they are not the sole 
basis for making awards. The Commissioner will consider other factors 
as well when making funding decisions. For instance, the need to assure 
the required geographic distribution of projects may take precedence 
over rankings/scores of the review panel.
    Following are the evaluation criteria that SSA will use in 
reviewing all applications (relative weights are shown in parentheses):
1. Capability  (20 points)
    The applicant's capability to deliver benefits planning and 
assistance services will be judged by:
     Description of how entity will test for Benefits 
Specialist competencies listed in Part IV and provide any needed 
training to ensure competencies will be maintained and/or enhanced;
(8 points)
     Description of the proposed administration and 
organization of the project, including the existence of the necessary 
administrative resources to effectively carry out the project; and
(7 points)
     Project Director's and key staff's documentation of 
experience and results of past projects of this nature (extra 
consideration may be given to applicants based on the quality and 
extent of their experience in return-to-work efforts for SSDI and SSI 
beneficiaries with disabilities).
(5 points)
2. Relevance/Adequacy of Project Design  (30 points)
    The adequacy of project design will be judged by:
     A description of the project operations, including how the 
project will work (e.g., identification and notification of potential 
project participants about availability of benefits planning and 
assistance services, location for providing services, ability to travel 
to beneficiary, etc.) and

[[Page 1178]]

the quality of the project design;
(6 points)
     A description of how the project will address provision of 
benefits planning, assistance, and outreach to transition-to-work aged 
SSI youth;
(5 points)
     A description of how the project will address provision of 
benefits planning, assistance, and outreach to populations with special 
cultural or language requirements;  (5 points)
     Evidence of collaboration with relevant agencies, 
including collocation within a DOL One-Stop Career Center organization, 
in providing benefits planning and assistance services; and extent and 
clarity of collaborative efforts with other organizations, including 
letters of intent or written assurances; and  (5 points)
     A concise and clear statement of the project goals and 
objectives; MI data to be collected; specification of data sources; and 
how quality assurance will be realized;  (4 points)
     Description of problems that may arise and how they will 
be resolved; e.g., how dropouts and inadequate numbers of participants 
will be handled; and  (3 points)
     Evidence of how the approach proposed will accomplish 
Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program goals.  (2 points)
3. Resources and Management
(30 points)
    Resources and management will be judged by:
     Appropriateness of qualifications of the project 
personnel, as evidenced by training and experience indicating that they 
have the skills required to competently provide benefits planning and 
assistance services, and outreach;  (8 points)
     Evidence of successful previous experience related to 
benefits planning, assistance, and outreach programs;
(4 points)
     Evidence that the applicant has a working knowledge of 
work incentives and the various programs available to beneficiaries 
with disabilities;
(4 points)
     Evidence of adequate facilities (e.g., collocation within 
a DOL One-Stop Career Center) and resources to deliver services;  (4 
points)
     Appropriateness of the case management and monitoring 
systems and techniques, including an MI system, quality assurance 
system, and a range of other monitoring and management options;  (3 
points)
     Extent and quality of project assurances that sufficient 
resources (including personnel, time, funds, and facilities) will be 
available to support services to beneficiaries;  (3 points)
     Evidence that the applicant will meaningfully involve 
family members and other representatives of target groups, including 
advocates in the process of delivery services; and
(2 points)
     Cost effectiveness, per client costs, and reasonableness 
of overall project cost relative to planned services.
(2 points)
4. Quality Assurance  (20 points)
    The applicant's quality assurance plan will be judged by:
     Extent to which training is accommodated and planned for 
to ensure that all Benefits Specialists maintain knowledge, skills, and 
abilities, and acquire more;  (6 points)
     Extent to which the awardee proposes to use MI data to 
improve processes and ensure that all information given is accurate and 
pertinent;  (4 points)
     Extent to which the proposed quality assurance plan 
complies with the requirements of SSA, in terms of data collection, 
reporting, and ensuring that only accurate information is provided to 
beneficiaries and others;  (4 points)
     Extent to which the proposed staff demonstrate expertise 
in the area of benefits planning and assistance; and  (4 points)
     The extent to which staff have experience collecting, 
protecting, and analyzing data on beneficiaries with disabilities to 
provide benefits planning and assistance services, and outreach.  (2 
points)

Part VI. Instructions for Obtaining and Submitting Application

A. Availability of Forms

    The Internet is the primary means recommended for obtaining an 
application kit under this program announcement. An application kit 
containing all of the prescribed forms and instructions needed to apply 
for a cooperative agreement under this announcement may be obtained at 
the following Internet address: http//www.ssa.gov/oag/grants.
    Although the Internet is SSA's preferred method of making 
application kits available, an application kit also may be obtained by 
writing to: Grants Management Team, Office of Operations Contracts and 
Grants, OAG, Social Security Administration, 1-E-4 Gwynn Oak Building, 
1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21207-5279.
    Requests submitted by mail should include two return address 
labels. Also, please provide the name, title and telephone number of 
the individual to contact; and the organization's name, street address, 
city, State and zip code.
    To ensure receipt of the proper kit, please include program 
announcement number SSA-OESP-01-2 and the date of this announcement.

B. Checklist for a Complete Application

    The checklist below is a guide to ensure that the application 
package has been properly prepared.

--An original, signed and dated application plus at least two copies. 
Seven additional copies are optional but will expedite processing.
--The program narrative portion of the application (Part III of the 
SSA-96-BK) may not exceed thirty double-spaced pages (or fifteen 
single-spaced pages) on one side of the paper only, using standard 
(8\1/2\" x 11") size paper, and 12-point font. Attachments that support 
the program narrative count towards the 30-page limit.
--Attachments/Appendices, when included, should be used only to provide 
supporting documentation. Please do not include books or videotapes as 
they are not easily reproduced and are therefore inaccessible to 
reviewers.
--A complete application, which consists of the following items in this 
order:

    (1) Part I (Face page)--Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424, 
REV 4-88);
    (2) Table of Contents;
    (3) Project Summary (not to exceed one page);
    (4) Part II--Budget Information, Sections A through G (Form SSA-96-
BK);
    (5) Budget Justification (in Section B Budget Categories, explain 
how amounts were computed), including subcontract organization budgets;
    (6) Part III--Application Narrative and Appendices;
    (7) Part IV--Assurances;
    (8) Additional Assurances and Certifications--regarding Lobbying 
and regarding Drug-Free Workplace; and
    (9) Form SSA-3966-PC--acknowledgement of receipt of application 
(applicant's return address must be inserted on the form).

C. Guidelines for Application Submission

    All applications for cooperative agreement projects under this 
announcement must be submitted on the prescribed forms included in the 
application kit. The application shall be executed by an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant organization and to

[[Page 1179]]

assume for the applicant organization the obligations imposed by the 
terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement award.
    In item 11 of the Face Sheet (SF 424), the applicant must clearly 
indicate the application submitted is in response to this announcement 
(SSA-OESP-01-2). The applicant also is encouraged to select a SHORT 
descriptive project title.
    Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to: Grants Management 
Team, Office of Operations Contracts and Grants, OAG, DCFAM, Social 
Security Administration, Attention: SSA-OESP-00-2, 1-E-4 Gwynn Oak 
Building, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21207-5279.
    Hand-delivered applications are accepted between the hours of 8:00 
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. An application will be 
considered as meeting the deadline if it is either:
    1. Received on or before the deadline date at the above address; or
    2. Mailed through the U.S. Postal Service or sent by commercial 
carrier on or before the deadline date and received in time to be 
considered during the competitive review and evaluation process. 
Packages must be postmarked by April 5, 2001. Applicants are cautioned 
to request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or to obtain a 
legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier as evidence of timely 
mailing. Private-metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof of 
timely mailing.
    Applications that do not meet the above criteria are considered 
late applications. SSA will not waive or extend the deadline for any 
application unless the deadline is waived or extended for all 
applications. SSA will notify each late applicant that its application 
will not be considered.
Paperwork Reduction Act
    This notice contains reporting requirements. However, the 
information is collected using form SSA-96-BK, Federal Assistance 
Application, which has the Office of Management and Budget clearance 
number 0960-0184.

    Dated: December 22, 2000.
Kenneth S. Apfel,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 01-318 Filed 1-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-U