[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 152 (Thursday, August 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47143-47144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20075]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Match Number 1006)

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of the renewal of an existing computer matching program, 
which is scheduled to expire on September 29, 2003.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as 
amended, this notice announces the renewal of an existing computer 
matching program that SSA is currently conducting with the RRB.

DATES: SSA will file a report of the subject matching program with the 
Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on 
Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). The renewal of the matching program will be effective as 
indicated below.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by either 
telefax to (410) 965-8582 or writing to the Associate Commissioner, 
Office of Income Security Programs, 245 Altmeyer Building, 6401 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401. All comments received 
will be available for public inspection at this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Associate Commissioner for Income 
Security Programs as shown above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. General

    The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Public 
Law (Pub. L.) 100-503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by 
describing the manner in which computer matching involving Federal 
agencies could be performed and adding certain protections for 
individuals applying for and receiving Federal benefits. Section 7201 
of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508) 
further amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such 
individuals.
    The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching 
by Federal agencies when records in a system of records are matched 
with other Federal, State, or local government records. It requires 
Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs to:
    (1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies 
participating in the matching programs;
    (2) Obtain the Data Integrity Boards' approval of the match 
agreements;
    (3) Publish notice of the computer matching program in the Federal 
Register;
    (4) Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress 
and OMB;
    (5) Notify applicants and beneficiaries that their records are 
subject to matching; and

[[Page 47144]]

    (6) Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating, 
or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

B. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

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

    Dated: July 29, 2003.
Martin H. Gerry,
Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.
    Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration 
(SSA) with the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

A. Participating Agencies

    SSA and RRB

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

    The purpose of this agreement is to establish the conditions under 
which RRB agrees to disclose RRB annuity payment data to the Social 
Security Administration through a computer matching program. This 
disclosure will provide SSA with information necessary to verify 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and Special Veterans 
Benefits (SVB) eligibility and benefit payment amounts. It also helps 
to ensure the correct recording on the Supplemental Security Income 
Record and Special Veterans Benefit (SSR) of railroad annuity amounts 
paid to SSI and SVB recipients by RRB.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    The legal authority for the SSI portion of this matching program is 
contained in sections 1631(e)(1)(A) and (B) and Sec.  1631(f) of the 
Social Security Act (``Act''), (42 U.S.C. 1383 Sec.  (e) (1) (A) and 
(B) and 1383 (f)). The legal authority for the SVB portion of this 
matching program is contained in section 806(b) of the Act, (42 U.S.C. 
1006 (b)).

D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Matching 
Program

    On the basis of certain identifying information as provided by SSA 
to RRB, RRB will provide SSA with electronic files containing annuity 
payment data from RRB's system of records, RRB-22 Railroad Retirement, 
Survivor, and Pensioner Benefits System, entitled Checkwriting 
Integrated Computer Operation (CHICO) Benefit Payment Master. SSA will 
then match the RRB data with data maintained in the SSR, SSA/OSR, 60-
0103 system of records. SVB data also resides on the SSR.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Match

    The matching program shall become effective no sooner than 40 days 
after notice for the program is sent to Congress and OMB, or 30 days 
after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever 
date is later. The matching program will continue for 18 months from 
the effective date and may be extended for an additional 12 months 
thereafter, if certain conditions are met.
[FR Doc. 03-20075 Filed 8-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P