[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 33 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8423-8424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3104]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefit Administration 
(VBA)--Match Number 1309

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of a new computer matching program.

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

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

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by either 
telefax to (410) 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:

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 conditions under which computer matching involving the 
Federal government could be performed and adding certain protections 
for individuals applying for and receiving Federal benefits. Section 
7201 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508) 
further amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such 
individuals.
    The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching 
by Federal agencies when records in a system of records are matched 
with other Federal, State or local government records.
    It requires Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs 
to:
    (1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies 
participating in the matching programs;
    (2) Obtain the 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: January 25, 2005.
Martin H. Gerry,
Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.

Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration 
(SSA) With the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefit 
Administration (VBA)

A. Participating Agencies

    SSA and VA.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

    The purpose of this matching program is to establish the 
conditions, terms and safeguards under which VA agrees to the 
disclosure of VA compensation and pension payment data to SSA. This 
disclosure will provide SSA with information necessary to verify an 
individual's self-certification of eligibility for prescription drug 
subsidy assistance under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement 
and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). The disclosure will also enable 
SSA to implement a Medicare outreach program mandated by section 1144 
of title XI of the Social Security Act. Information disclosed by VA 
will enable SSA to identify individuals to determine their eligibility 
for Medicare Savings Programs (MSP), Medicare transitional assistance 
prescription drug cards and subsidized Medicare prescription drug 
coverage and enable SSA, in turn, to identify these individuals to the 
States.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    The legal authority for SSA to conduct this matching activity is

[[Page 8424]]

contained in section 1860D-14 (42 U.S.C. 1395w-114) and section 1144 
(42 U.S.C. 1320b-14) of the Act.

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

1. Specified Data Elements Used in the Match
    a. VA will electronically furnish SSA with the following VA 
compensation and pension payment data: Social Security number, name, 
date of birth, and VA claim number.
    b. SSA will match this file against the Medicare database.
2. Systems of Records
    VA will provide SSA with electronic files containing compensation 
and pension payment data from its system of records entitled the 
Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records-VA (58VA21/
22). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3), VA has established routine uses 
to disclose the subject information.
    SSA will match the VA information with the electronic data from the 
following system of records: SSA SOR 60-0321 which is currently being 
developed to support the Medicare Part D subsidy computer matches.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

    The matching program will become effective upon signing of the 
agreement by all parties to the agreement and approval of the agreement 
by the Data Integrity Boards of the respective agencies, but no sooner 
than 40 days after notice of the matching program is sent to Congress 
and the Office of Management and Budget, 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. 05-3104 Filed 2-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P