[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17985-17990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8262]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; New System of Records; New 
Routine Use Disclosures; and Alterations to Existing System of Records

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: New system of records, proposed routine uses and alterations to 
existing system of records.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and 
(e)(11)), we are issuing public notice of our intent to:
    (1) Establish a new system of records, the Ticket-to-Work and Self-
Sufficiency Program Payment Database, and routine uses applicable to 
this system, and
    (2) Alter an existing system of records, the Completed 
Determination Record-Continuing Disability Determinations, 60-0050.
    The proposed new system of records and the altered system will 
maintain information collected for use in connection with SSA's 
implementation of the Ticket-to-Work and Work Incentives Improvement 
Act of 1999, Public Law 106-170. We invite public comment on these 
proposals.

DATES: We filed a report of the proposed new systems of records and 
proposed altered system with the Chairman of the Senate Governmental 
Affairs Committee, the Chairman of the House Reform and Oversight 
Committee, and the Director, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on March 28, 2001. We 
also requested OMB to waive the 40-day advance notice requirements for 
the system. If OMB does not grant the waiver we will not implement the 
proposal before May 7, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Interested individuals may comment on this publication by 
writing to the SSA Privacy Officer, Social Security Administration, 3-
A-6 Operations Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 
21235. All comments received will be available for public inspection at 
the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Pamela McLaughlin, Social 
Insurance Specialist, Social Security Administration, Room 3-C-2 
Operations Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 
21235-6401, telephone (410) 965-3677.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Purpose of the Proposed New System of Records, 
the Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency Program Payment Database, 
60-0295 and Proposed Alterations to Existing System of Records, the 
Completed Determination Record--Continuing Disability 
Determination, 60-0050

A. General Background

    On December 17, 1999, the President signed into law the Ticket-to-
Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, Public Law 106-170. 
Section 101(a) of this law amended title XI of the Social Security Act 
(the Act) by adding section 1148, which provides for the establishment 
of the Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (Ticket Program). 
The Ticket Program provides that certain title II and title XVI Social 
Security beneficiaries with disabilities will receive a Ticket they can 
use to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services 
or other support services from an employment network (EN) which is of 
the beneficiary's choice and which is willing to provide such services 
to the beneficiary.
    In order to implement and administer this program SSA must collect 
and maintain personal identifiable information about SSA title II and 
title XVI beneficiaries with disabilities who are participating in the 
Ticket Program. SSA's maintenance of this information requires an 
alteration to an existing system of records and to establish a new 
system of records under the Privacy Act. Information about the 
participants for the Ticket program will be maintained in a new system 
of records entitled, the Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency Program 
Payment Database, and in an existing system of records entitled, the 
Completed Determination Record--Continuing Disability Determination.

B. Collection and Maintenance of Data for the Proposed New System of 
Records, the Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency Program Payment 
Database

    The information that will be maintained in the Ticket-to-Work and 
Self-Sufficiency Program Payment Database will be collected from the 
Program Manager (PM) and SSA regarding claims for payment made by ENs 
for specific beneficiaries. Specifically, the Ticket-to-Work and Self-
Sufficiency Program Payment Database will maintain payments requested 
by and made to ENs for specific beneficiaries under the Ticket Program. 
This information will be housed under both the EN's employer 
identification number and each beneficiary's ticket number, which 
essentially represents the social security number. Additional 
information collected will include the type, amount and date of the 
payments made, as well as EN payment requests that are denied.

II. Proposed Routine Use Disclosures of Data Maintained in the 
Proposed New System of Records, the Ticket-to-Work and Self-
Sufficiency Program Payment Database

A. Proposed Routine Use Disclosures

    We are proposing to establish routine uses of information that will 
be maintained in the proposed new system as discussed below.
    1. To the Office of the President for the purpose of responding to 
an individual pursuant to an inquiry received from that individual or 
from a third party on his or her behalf. We will disclose information 
under this routine use only in situations in which an individual may 
contact the Office of the President, seeking that office's assistance 
in a SSA matter on his or her behalf. Information would be disclosed 
when the Office of the President makes an inquiry and presents evidence 
that the office is acting on behalf of the individual whose record is 
requested.
    2. To a congressional office in response to an inquiry from that 
office made at the request of the subject of a record. We will disclose 
information under this routine use only in situations in which an 
individual may ask his/her congressional representative to intercede in 
an SSA matter on his or her behalf. Information would be disclosed when 
the congressional representative makes an inquiry and presents evidence 
that he or she is acting on behalf of the individual whose record is 
requested.
    3. To student volunteers and other workers, who technically do not 
have the status of Federal employees, when they are performing work for 
SSA as authorized by law, and they need access to personally 
identifiable information in SSA records in order to perform their 
assigned Agency functions. Under certain Federal statutes, SSA is 
authorized to use the services of volunteers and participants in 
certain educational, training, employment and community service 
programs. Examples of such statutes and programs are: 5 U.S.C. 3111 
regarding student volunteers and 42 U.S.C. 2753 regarding the College 
Work Study Program. We contemplate disclosing information under this 
routine use only when SSA

[[Page 17986]]

uses the services of these individuals, and they need access to 
information in this system to perform their assigned duties.
    4. Disclosure to contractors and other Federal agencies, as 
necessary, for the purpose of assisting SSA in the efficient 
administration of its programs. We will disclose information under this 
routine use only in situations in which SSA may enter into a 
contractual agreement or similar agreement with a third party to assist 
in accomplishing an agency function relating to this system of records.
    5. Non-tax return information which is not restricted from 
disclosure by federal law may be disclosed to the General Services 
Administration (GSA) and the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA) under 44 U.S.C. Sec. 2904 and Sec. 2906, as 
amended by NARA Act of 1984, for the use of those agencies in 
conducting records management studies. The Administrator of GSA and the 
Archivist of NARA are charged by 44 U.S.C. Sec. 2904 with promulgating 
standards, procedures and guidelines regarding records management and 
conducting records management studies. Section 2906 of that law, also 
amended by the NARA Act of 1984, provides that GSA and NARA are to have 
access to federal agencies' records and that agencies are to cooperate 
with GSA and NARA. In carrying out these responsibilities, it may be 
necessary for GSA and NARA to have access to this proposed system of 
records. In such instances, the routine use will facilitate disclosure.
    6. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), a court, or other tribunal, 
or another party before such tribunal when:
    (a) SSA, or any component thereof; or
    (b) Any SSA employee in his/her official capacity; or
    (c) Any SSA employee in his/her individual capacity where DOJ (or 
SSA where it is authorized to do so) has agreed to represent the 
employee; or
    (d) The United States or any agency thereof where SSA determines 
that the litigation is likely to affect the operations of SSA or any of 
its components, is a party to litigation or has an interest in such 
litigation, and SSA determines that the use of such records by DOJ, a 
court, or other tribunal is relevant and necessary to the litigation, 
provided, however, that in each case, SSA determines that such 
disclosure is compatible with the purpose for which the records were 
collected.
    Wage and other information which are subject to the disclosure 
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) (26 U.S.C. 6103) will not 
be disclosed under this routine use unless disclosure is expressly 
permitted by the IRC. We will disclose information under this routine 
use only as necessary to enable DOJ, a court, or other tribunal, to 
effectively defend SSA, its components or employees in litigation 
involving the proposed system of records. 7. Information may be 
disclosed to State or Private alternate providers having an approved 
business arrangement with SSA to perform vocational rehabilitation 
services for SSA disability beneficiaries and recipients.
    This proposed routine use would permit us to disclose information 
from the proposed system for the purpose of assisting beneficiaries/
recipients to participate in vocational rehabilitation.

B. Compatibility of Proposed Routine Uses

    The Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3)) and our disclosure 
regulations (20 CFR part 401) permit us to disclose information under a 
published routine use for a purpose which is compatible with the 
purpose for which we collected the information. Section 401.150(c) of 
the regulations permits us to disclose information under a routine use 
where necessary to assist in carrying out SSA programs. Section 401.120 
of the regulations provides that we will disclose information when a 
law specifically requires the disclosure. The proposed routine uses 
numbered 1-7 above will ensure efficient administration and evaluation 
of the Ticket-to-Work Program; the disclosures that would be made under 
routine use number 5 are required by Federal law. Thus, all of the 
routine uses are appropriate and meet the relevant statutory and 
regulatory criteria.

C. Proposed Alterations to the Existing System of Records, the 
Completed Determination Record--Continuing Disability Determinations, 
60-0050

    The Completed Determination Record--Continuing Disability 
Determinations System contains information pertaining to allowed 
disability claimants on which a continuing disability issue has 
occurred and a decision of continuance or cessation has been approved. 
We are altering this system to add information pertaining to title II 
and title XVI beneficiaries with disabilities who have been selected to 
receive a Ticket as part of the Ticket Program.
    Specifically, we are altering the Completed Determination Record--
Continuing Disability Determinations systems notice as follows:
     Expanding the categories of individuals covered by the 
system to include title II and title XVI disability beneficiaries who 
have been selected to receive a Ticket as part of the Ticket-to-Work 
Self-Sufficiency Program;
     Expanding the categories of records maintained in the 
system to indicate Ticket eligibility, receipt, assignment and use, 
alleged and verified earnings and other work-related information and 
suspension of continuing disability determinations;
     Expanding the ``Purpose(s)'' for which the system is used 
to include record information related to the administration and 
evaluation of the Ticket-to-Work Self-Sufficiency Program; and
     Expanding the routine uses of records maintained in the 
system to include disclosure to the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) and to contractors for the purpose of assisting SSA in 
the administration and evaluation of the Ticket-to-Work and Self-
Sufficiency Program; and
     Making other ``housekeeping'' changes throughout the 
systems notice.

III. Records Storage Medium and Safeguards for the Proposed New 
System, the Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency Program Payment 
Database and Proposed Alterations to Existing System of Records, 
the Completed Determination Record--Continuing Disability 
Determinations

    We will maintain information about the Ticket Program in the 
proposed new system of records and the altered system in electronic 
form, computer data systems and paper form. Only authorized SSA 
personnel who have a need for the information in the performance of 
their official duties will be permitted access to the information. 
Security measures include the use of access codes to enter the computer 
systems that will maintain the data and storage of the computerized 
records in secured areas that are accessible only to employees who 
require the information in performing their official duties. Any 
manually maintained records will be kept in locked cabinets or in 
otherwise secure areas. Also, all entrances and exits to SSA buildings 
and related facilities are patrolled by security guards.
    Contractor personnel having access to data in the proposed new 
system of records and the altered system of records along with 
contractor personnel involved in the evaluation of the Ticket Program 
will be required to adhere to SSA rules concerning safeguards, access 
and use of the data. Specifically, the PM will maintain the data in 
their data center, access to which will be restricted to those with 
electronic proximity cards.

[[Page 17987]]

Access to the data files is further restricted by use of a three-tiered 
password which allows access (1) to the system; (2) to the specific 
application; and (3) to the specific portion where the Ticket-to-Work 
Self-Sufficiency Program Payment Database is stored. Further, this data 
will be stored on a secure server separate from other health benefit 
information the contractor maintains.
    SSA personnel having access to the data on these systems will be 
informed of the criminal penalties of the Privacy Act for unauthorized 
access to or disclosure of information maintained in these systems. See 
5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(1).

IV. Effect of the Proposed New System of Records, the Ticket-to-
Work and Self-Sufficiency Program Payment Database and Proposed 
Alterations to Existing System of Records, the Completed 
Determination Record--Continuing Disability Determinations, on the 
Rights of Individuals

    The proposed new system and altered system of records will maintain 
only that information that is relevant to the implementation, 
administration and evaluation of section 1148 of the Act. There are 
existing security standards that protect access to and disclosure of 
records in the existing system as well as the proposed new system. 
Therefore, we do not anticipate that the proposed system of records and 
the alteration to existing system of records will have an unwarranted 
adverse effect on the rights of individuals.

    Dated: March 28, 2001.
William A. Halter,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security.
60-0295

System Name:
    Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency Program Payment Database.

Security Classification:
    None.

System Location:
    Social Security Administration, Office of Systems Operations, 6401 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21043.

Contractor Sites:
    Addresses may be obtained by writing to the system manager(s) at 
the address below.

Categories of Individuals Covered by the System:
    All title II and title XVI disability beneficiaries who are 
eligible to receive a Ticket under the Ticket-to-Work program and 
individuals who have been placed on inactive status.

Categories of Records in the System:
    The information maintained in this system of records is collected 
from title II and title XVI disability beneficiaries and from other 
systems of records maintained by SSA. Specifically, it will contain the 
beneficiaries' name, ticket number (which represents the SSN), payments 
requested by and made to employment networks (ENs) for specific 
beneficiaries under the Ticket Program. This information will be housed 
under both the EN's employer identification number (EIN) and each 
beneficiary's ticket number (SSN). Additional records will include: 
type, amount and date of the payments made, as well as EN payment 
requests that are denied.

Authority for Maintenance of the System:
    Section 1148 of the Social Security Act.

Purpose:
    Information in this system of records will be used by SSA to 
implement and administer the Ticket-to-Work Program under section 1148 
of the Act. Information in this system of records will also be used to 
produce management information and program evaluation data and reports 
providing such information as:
 Number and classification of beneficiaries being served by 
ENs.
 Number and classification of beneficiaries with increased 
work activity.
 Classifications of ENs providing service.
 Type of payments requested.
 Amount of payments requested.
 Type of payments made.
 Amount of payments made.
 Disposition of payment requests.

Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories 
of Users and the Purposes of Such Uses:
    Disclosures may be made for routine uses as indicated below. 
However, disclosure of any information constituting ``returns or return 
information'' within the scope of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) will 
not be disclosed unless disclosure is authorized by that statute.
    1. To the Office of the President for the purpose of responding to 
an individual pursuant to an inquiry received from that individual or 
from a third party on his or her behalf.
    2. To a congressional office in response to an inquiry from that 
office made at the request of the subject of a record.
    3. To student volunteers and other workers, who technically do not 
have the status of Federal employees, when they are performing work for 
SSA as authorized by law, and they need access to personally 
identifiable information in SSA records in order to perform their 
assigned Agency functions.
    4. Disclosure to contractors and other Federal agencies, as 
necessary, for the purpose of assisting SSA in the efficient 
administration of its programs.
    5. Non-tax return information which is not restricted from 
disclosure by federal law may be disclosed to the General Services 
Administration (GSA) and the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA) under 44 U.S.C. Sec. 2904 and Sec. 2906, as 
amended by NARA Act of 1984, for the use of those agencies in 
conducting records management studies.
    6. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), a court or other tribunal, 
or another party before such tribunal when:
    (a) SSA, or any component thereof; or
    (b) Any SSA employee in his/her official capacity; or
    (c) Any SSA employee in his/her individual capacity where DOJ (or 
SSA where it is authorized to do so) has agreed to represent the 
employee; or
    (d) The United States or any agency thereof where SSA determines 
that the litigation is likely to affect the operations of SSA or any of 
its components,
is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and 
SSA determines that the use of such records by DOJ, the court, or 
other tribunal is relevant and necessary to the litigation, 
provided, however, that in each case, SSA determines that such 
disclosure is compatible with the purpose for which the records were 
collected.
    Wage and other information which are subject to the disclosure 
provisions of the IRC (26 U.S.C. 6103) will not be disclosed under this 
routine use unless disclosure is expressly permitted by the IRC.
    7. Information may be disclosed to State or private alternate 
providers having an approved business arrangement with SSA to perform 
vocational rehabilitation services for SSA disability beneficiaries and 
recipients.

Policies and Practices for Storing, Retrieving, Accessing, Retaining 
and Disposing of Records in the System:
Storage:
    Data are stored in electronic and paper form.

Retrievability:
    Records in this system are retrieved by name and SSN of the 
beneficiary, the employer identification number and the name of the 
employment network (EN).

Safeguards:
    Only authorized SSA personnel who have a need for the information 
in the

[[Page 17988]]

performance of their official duties will be permitted access to the 
information.
    Security measures include the use of access codes to enter the 
database and storage of the electronic records in secured areas that 
are accessible only to employees who require the information in 
performing their official duties. Any manually maintained records will 
be kept in locked cabinets or in otherwise secure areas. Also, all 
entrances and exits to SSA buildings and related facilities are 
patrolled by security guards.
    Contractor personnel having access to data in the systems of 
records and contractor personnel involved in the evaluation of the 
Ticket Program will be required to adhere to SSA rules concerning 
safeguards, access and use of the data. Specifically, the contractor 
will maintain the data in their data center, access to which will be 
restricted to those with electronic proximity cards. Access to the data 
files is further restricted by use of a three-tiered password which 
allows access to: (1) The system; (2) the specific application; and (3) 
the specific portion where the Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency 
Program Payment Database is stored. Further, this data will be stored 
on a secure server separate from other health benefit information the 
contractor maintains.

Retention and Disposal:
    Payment and management information maintained in this system are 
retained 10 years or until it is determined that they are no longer 
needed. Means of disposal is appropriate to storage medium (e.g., 
deletion of individual records from the electronic site when 
appropriate or shredding of paper records that are produced from the 
system).

System Manager and Address:
    Associate Commissioner, Office of Systems Operations, 6401 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235.

Notification procedure:
    An individual can determine if this system contains a record about 
him/her by writing to the systems manager(s) at the above address and 
providing his/her name, SSN or other information that may be in the 
system of records that will identify him/her. An individual requesting 
notification of records in person should provide the same information, 
as well as provide an identity document, preferably with a photograph, 
such as a driver's license or some other means of identification, such 
as a voter registration card, credit card, etc. If an individual does 
not have any identification documents sufficient to establish his/her 
identity, the individual must certify in writing that he/she is the 
person claimed to be and that he/she understands that the knowing and 
willful request for, or acquisition of, a record pertaining to another 
individual under false pretenses is a criminal offense.
    If notification is requested by telephone, an individual must 
verify his/her identity by providing identifying information that 
parallels the record to which notification is being requested. If it is 
determined that the identifying information provided by telephone is 
insufficient, the individual will be required to submit a request in 
writing or in person. If an individual is requesting information by 
telephone on behalf of another individual, the subject individual must 
be connected with SSA and the requesting individual in the same phone 
call. SSA will establish the subject individual's identity (his/her 
name, SSN, address, date of birth and place of birth along with one 
other piece of information such as mother's maiden name) and ask for 
his/her consent in providing information to the requesting individual.
    If a request for notification is submitted by mail, an individual 
must include a notarized statement to SSA to verify his/her identity or 
must certify in the request that he/she is the person claimed to be and 
that he/she understands that the knowing and willful request for, or 
acquisition of, a record pertaining to another individual under false 
pretenses is a criminal offense. These procedures are in accordance 
with SSA Regulations (20 CFR 401.40).

Record Access Procedures:
    Same as notification procedures. Requesters also should reasonably 
specify the record contents they are seeking. These procedures are in 
accordance to SSA Regulations (20 CFR 401.50).

Contesting record procedures:
    Same as notification procedures. Requesters should also reasonably 
identify the record, specify the information they are contesting and 
state the corrective action sought and the reasons for the correction 
with supporting justification showing how the record is untimely, 
incomplete, inaccurate or irrelevant. These procedures are in 
accordance with SSA Regulations (20 CFR 401.65).

Record Source Categories:
    Data contained in the Ticket-to-Work Self-Sufficiency Program 
Database are obtained from SSA, Employment Networks and Program 
Managers. Records from this system are also derived from the 
Supplemental Security Income Record and Special Veterans Benefits 
(SVB), 60-0103, Master Beneficiary Record, 60-0090, and the Completed 
Determination Record--Continuing Disability Determinations, 60-0050.

Systems Exempt from Certain Provisions of the Privacy Act:
    None.
60-0050

System Name:
    Completed Determination Record--Continuing Disability 
Determinations, HHS/SSA/OP.

Security Classification:
    None.

System Location:
    Social Security Administration, Office of Systems Operations, 6401 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235

Categories of Individuals Covered by the System:
    This file contains a record on allowed disability claimants on 
which a continuing disability issue has occurred and a decision of 
continuance or cessation has been approved. This file also covers title 
II and title XVI disability beneficiaries who have been selected to 
receive a Ticket-to-Work as part of the Ticket-to-Work and Self-
Sufficiency Program.

Categories of Records in the System:
    Name and social security number (SSN) of the individual and other 
data such as date of birth, district office and state agency code, date 
disability began, type of claim, reason for reopening, continuance or 
cessation code, date of termination (if applicable), date of 
completion, etc. In addition, data related to the Ticket-to-Work 
program such as Ticket eligibility, receipt, assignment and use, 
alleged and verified earnings and other work-related information and 
suspension of continuing disability determinations.

Authority for Maintenance of the System:
    Sections 221 and 1148 of the Act.

Purpose(s):
    This system is used to (1) record the result of continuing 
disability investigations; and (2) record information related to the 
administration and evaluation of the Ticket-to-Work and Self-
Sufficiency Program.

[[Page 17989]]

Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories 
of Users and the Purposes of Such Uses:
    Disclosure may be made for routine uses as indicated below. 
However, disclosure of any information constituting ``returns or return 
information'' within the scope of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) will 
not be disclosed unless disclosure is authorized by that statute.
    1. To a congressional office in response to an inquiry from the 
office made at the request of the subject of a record.
    2. To the Internal Revenue Service, as necessary, for the purpose 
of auditing SSA's compliance with the safeguard provisions of the IRC 
of 1986, as amended.
    3. Information may be disclosed to contractors and other Federal 
agencies, as necessary, for the purpose of assisting SSA in the 
efficient administration of its programs. We contemplate disclosing 
information under this routine use only in situations in which SSA may 
enter into a contractual or similar agreement with a third party to 
assist in accomplishing an agency function relating to this system of 
records.
    4. Non-tax return information which is not restricted from 
disclosure by Federal law may be disclosed to the General Services 
Administration (GSA) and the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA) for the purpose of conducting records management 
studies with respect to their duties and responsibilities under 44 
U.S.C. 2904 and 2906, as amended by NARA Act of 1984.
    5. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), a court or other tribunal, 
or another party before such tribunal when:
    (a) SSA, or any component thereof; or
    (b) Any SSA employee in his/her official capacity; or
    (c) Any SSA employee in his/her individual capacity where DOJ (or 
SSA where it is authorized to do so) has agreed to represent the 
employee; or
    (d) The United States or any agency thereof where SSA determines 
that the litigation is likely to affect the operations of SSA or any of 
its components,
is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and 
SSA determines that the use of such records by the litigation, 
provided, however, that in each case, SSA determines that such 
disclosure is compatible with the purpose for which the records were 
collected.
    Wage and other information which are subject to the disclosure 
provisions of the IRC (26 U.S.C. 6103) will not be disclosed under this 
routine use unless disclosure is expressly permitted by the IRC.
    6. To student volunteers and other workers, who technically do not 
have the status of Federal employees, when they are performing work for 
SSA as authorized by law, and they need access to personally 
identifiable information in SSA records in order to perform their 
assigned Agency functions.
    7. The Commissioner shall disclose to the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, or to any State, any record or information requested in 
writing by the Secretary to be so disclosed for the purpose of 
administering any program administered by the Secretary, if records or 
information of such type were so disclosed under applicable rules, 
regulations and procedures in effect before the date of enactment of 
the Social Security Independence Improvements Act of 1994.
    8. To contractors for the purpose of assisting SSA in the efficient 
administration and evaluation of the Ticket-to-Work and Self-
Sufficiency Program. (These contractors would be limited to the Program 
Manager, which is directly assisting SSA in administering the Ticket 
program, and to Employment Networks, which are providing services to 
SSA beneficiaries under the Ticket program.)

Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, 
and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
    Records are maintained in magnetic media (e.g., magnetic tapes).

Retrievability:
    The records are retrieved by the SSN.

Safeguards:
    Only authorized personnel having a need for this information in the 
performance of their official duties have access to this data under 
stringent security measures involving guards, building passes and 
photographs, etc. (See Appendix G to this publication for additional 
information relating to safeguards SSA employs to protect personal 
information.)

Retention and Disposal:
    The records are maintained indefinitely.

System Manager(s) and Address:
    SSA Privacy Officer, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235.

Notification Procedure:
    An individual can determine if this system contains a record about 
him/her by contacting the system manager at the address shown above and 
furnishing his or her name, SSN, approximate date and place claim was 
file, type of claim (DI, BL, or SSI), and return address. (Furnishing 
the SSN is voluntary, but it will make searching for an individual's 
record easier and avoid delay.)
    An individual requesting notification of records in person should 
provide the same information, as well as provide an identity document, 
preferably with a photograph, such as a driver's license or some other 
means of identification, such as a voter registration card, credit 
card, etc. If an individual does not have any identification documents 
sufficient to establish his/her identity, the individual must certify 
in writing that he/she is the person claimed to be and that he/she 
understands that the knowing and willful request for, or acquisition 
of, a record pertaining to another individual under false pretenses is 
a criminal offense.
    If notification is requested by telephone, an individual must 
verify his/her identity by providing identifying information that 
parallels the record to which notification is being requested. If it is 
determined that the identifying information provided by telephone is 
insufficient, the individual will be required to submit a request in 
writing or in person. If an individual is requesting information by 
telephone on behalf of another individual, the subject individual must 
be connected with SSA and the requesting individual in the same phone 
call. SSA will establish the subject individual's identity (his/her 
name, SSN, address, date of birth and place of birth along with one 
other piece of information such as mother's maiden name) and ask for 
his/her consent in providing information to the requesting individual.
    If a request for notification is submitted by mail, an individual 
must include a notarized statement to SSA to verify his/her identity or 
must certify in the request that he/she is the person claimed to be and 
that he/she understands that the knowing and willful request for, or 
acquisition of, a record pertaining to another individual under false 
pretenses is a criminal offense. These procedures are in accordance 
with SSA Regulations (20 CFR 401.40).
    An individual who requests access to his or her medical records 
shall be given direct access to those records unless SSA determines 
that it is likely that direct access would adversely affect the 
individual. If SSA determines that direct access to the medical 
record(s) would adversely affect the individual, he or she must 
designate a responsible representative who is capable of

[[Page 17990]]

explaining the contents of the medical record(s) to him or her and who 
would be willing to provide the entire record(s) to the individual. 
These procedures are in accordance with SSA Regulations (20 CFR 
401.55).
    A parent or guardian who requests notification of or access to a 
minor's medical record shall at the time he or she makes the request 
designate a physician or other health professional (other than a family 
member) who is capable of explaining the contents of the medical 
record(s) to him or her and who would be willing to provide the entire 
record(s) to the individual. These procedures are in accordance with 
SSA Regulations (20 CFR 401.55).

Record Access Procedures:
    Same as notification procedures. Also, requesters should reasonably 
specify the record contents they are seeking.

Contesting Record Procedures:
    Same as notification procedures. Also, requesters should reasonably 
identify the record, specify the information they are contesting and 
state the corrective action sought and the reasons for the correction 
with supporting justification showing how the record is incomplete, 
untimely, inaccurate or irrelevant. These procedures are in accordance 
with SSA Regulations (20 CFR 401.65).

Record Source Categories:
    These records summarize information contained in the claims folder 
which was obtained from the individual or someone acting on the 
individual's behalf and from this individual's physician or a physician 
performing a consultative examination or from hospitals and other 
treatment sources.

Systems Exempted from Certain Provisions of the Privacy Act:
    None.
[FR Doc. 01-8262 Filed 4-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P