[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 117 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34214-34215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13756]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/
Department of Homeland Security Number 1010)

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of a renewal of a computer matching program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as 
amended, this notice announces a renewal of a computer matching program 
that SSA will conduct with DHS.

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 matching program will be effective as indicated below.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice either by 
telefax to (410) 965-8582 or writing to the Associate Commissioner for 
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:

[[Page 34215]]

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 approval of the matching agreement by the Data 
Integrity Boards (DIB) of the participating Federal agencies;
    (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
    (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: June 9, 2004.
Martin H. Gerry,
Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.

    Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration 
(SSA) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

A. Participating Agencies

    SSA and DHS.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

    The purpose of this matching program is to establish conditions 
under which DHS agrees to the disclosure of information regarding 
certain aliens who may, as a result of their current and planned 
absences from the United States, be subject to nonpayment of benefits 
in programs administered by SSA. The disclosure will provide SSA with 
information useful in determining claim and benefit status under both 
Title II and Title XVI of the Social Security Act governing Social 
Security Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance Benefits, and 
Supplemental Security Income, as certain persons who are outside the 
United States or similarly lack appropriate statutorily specified 
residency and citizenship/alienage status may not be paid benefits 
under specific statutory provisions of those titles.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    This matching operation is carried out under the authority of 
sections 202(n), 1611(f), and 1614(a)(1) of the Act (42 U.S.C 402(n), 
1382(f) and 1382c(a)(1)) and 8 U.S.C. 1611 and 1612. Section 
1631(e)(1)(B) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(e)(1)(B)) requires SSA to 
verify declarations of applicants for and recipients of SSI payments 
before making a determination of eligibility or payment amount. Section 
1631(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(f)) requires Federal agencies to 
provide SSA with information necessary to verify SSI eligibility or 
benefit amounts or to verify other information related to these 
determinations. In addition, section 202(n)(2) of the Act specifies 
that the ``Secretary Of [the Department of] Homeland Security'' notify 
the Commissioner of Social Security when individuals are deported under 
specified provisions of section 237(a) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act.

Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Matching Agreement

    DHS will disclose to SSA two data files as described below:
1. Aliens Who Leave the United States Voluntarily
    DHS will provide SSA with two electronic files. DHS will provide 
SSA with an electronic file from its Computer Linked Application 
Information Management System (CLAIMS) Justice/INS 013 system of 
records most recently published at 62 FR 59734, dated 11/04/97 which is 
electronically formatted for transmission to SSA. CLAIMS contains 
information on resident aliens who are SSI recipients and who have left 
or plan to leave the United States for any period of 30 consecutive 
days. SSA will then match the DHS CLAIMS data with: (1) Social Security 
Number (SSN) applicant and holder information maintained in SSA's 
Master Files of Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and SSN 
Applications, SSA/OEEAS 60-0058 most recently published at 65 FR 66279 
dated 11/03/2000); and, the SSA's Supplemental Security Income Record 
and Special Veterans Benefits (SSR) most recently published at 66 FR 
11079 SSA/OEEAS 60-0103 dated 02/21/2001.
2. Aliens Who Are Deported From the United States
    DHS will also provide SSA with an electronic file containing 
information on deported number holders from its Deportable Alien 
Control System (DACS) (Justice/INS-012, full text published at 65 FR 
46738, dated 07/31/2000, modified at 66 FR 66712, dated 01/22/2001), 
electronically formatted for transmission to SSA. DACS will eventually 
be succeeded by the Enforce Removal Module (EREM). After such 
transition, EREM will be the system of records used in the match. SSA 
will then match the DHS EREM data with: SSN applicant and holder 
information maintained in SSA's Master Files of Social Security Number 
(SSN) Holders and SSN Applications SSA/OEES 09-60-0058 published at 65 
FR 66279 (11/03/00), the Master Beneficiary Record SSA/OEEAS 09-60-
0090, most recently published at 66 FR 11080, dated 02/21/2001); and 
the Supplemental Security Record.

Inclusive Dates of the Match

    The matching agreement for this program shall become effective no 
sooner than 40 days after notice of the matching program is sent to 
Congress and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) or 30 days after 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register whichever 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. 04-13756 Filed 6-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P