[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46699-46700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16465]


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

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA 2007-0064]


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

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of the renewal of an existing computer matching program 
which is scheduled to expire on October 1, 2007.

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

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 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 Oversight and 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 
telefaxing to (410) 965-8582 or writing to the Associate Commissioner 
for Income Security Programs, 252 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 (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

[[Page 46700]]

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: August 3, 2007.
Manuel J. Vaz,
Acting 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 Benefits 
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 disclose 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 section 1860D-14 of the Social Security Act (Act)(42 U.S.C. 
1395w-114). 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) 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 
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

    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). Routine use 46 for VA permits the disclosure of this information. 
SSA will then match VA data with SSA SOR 60-0321, the MDB.
    SSA has published notice of its new system of records, which 
establishes as a routine use the disclosure of information in the MDB 
to VA only for the purpose of supporting SSA in the administration of 
the prescription drug subsidy program under the MMA of 2003 (No. 60-
0321, published at 69 Federal Register 77816, December 28, 2004; and 71 
Federal Register 42159-42164, July 25, 2006).

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. E7-16465 Filed 8-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P