[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 103 (Wednesday, May 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30656-30659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11898]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

    The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of 
information collection packages requiring clearance by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with Public Law (Pub. L.) 
104-13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, effective October 1, 1995. 
This notice includes new information collections, revisions to OMB-
approved information collections and extensions (no change) of OMB-
approved information collections.
    SSA is soliciting comments on the accuracy of the Agency's burden 
estimate; the need for the information; its practical utility; ways to 
enhance its quality, utility and clarity; and how to minimize the 
burden on respondents, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Mail, e-mail or 
fax your comments and recommendations on the information collection(s) 
to the OMB Desk Officer and the SSA Reports Clearance Officer to the 
addresses or fax numbers listed below.
    (OMB), Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA, 
Fax: 202-395-6974, E-mail address: [email protected].
    (SSA), Social Security Administration, DCBFM, Attn: Reports 
Clearance Officer, 1333 Annex Building, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, 
MD 21235, Fax: 410-965-6400, E-mail address: [email protected].
    SSA has submitted the information collections listed below. Your 
comments on the information collections will be most useful if OMB and 
SSA receive them within 30 days from the date of this publication. You 
can request a copy of the information collections by e-mail, 
[email protected], fax 410-965-6400, or by calling the SSA Reports 
Clearance Officer at 410-965-0454.
    1. Report to United States Social Security Administration by Person 
Receiving Benefits for a Child or for an Adult Unable to Handle Funds/
Report to the United States Social Security Administration--0960-0049. 
SSA needs the information on Forms SSA-7161-OCR-SM and SSA-7162-OCR-SM 
to: (1) Determine continuing entitlement to Social Security benefits: 
(2) correct benefit amounts for beneficiaries outside the United 
States: and (3) monitor the performance of representative payees 
outside the United States. The respondents are individuals living 
outside the United States who are receiving benefits on their own (or 
for someone else) under Title II of the Social Security Act.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                                 Average
                                                                                              Frequency of     burden per      Estimated  annual burden
                          Form number                              Number of  respondents       response        response               (hours)
                                                                                                                (minutes)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-7161-OCR-SM...............................................                       28,461               1              15                        7,115
SSA-7162-OCR-SM...............................................                      247,136               1               5                       20,595
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals....................................................                      275,597  ..............  ..............                       27,710
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Questionnaire About Employment or Self-Employment Outside the 
United States--20 CFR 404.401(b)(1), 404.415 & 404.417--0960-0050. SSA 
uses Form SSA-7163 to determine: (1) Whether work performed by 
beneficiaries outside the United States is cause for deductions from 
their monthly benefits: (2) which of two work tests (foreign or regular 
test) is applicable; and (3) the number of months, if any, for SSA-
imposed deductions. Respondents are beneficiaries living and working 
outside the United States.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 20,000.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 12 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 4,000 hours.
    3. Petition to Obtain Approval of a Fee for Representing a Claimant 
before the Social Security Administration--20 CFR 404.1720, 404.1725, 
416.1520 & 416.1525--0960-0104. Representatives use Form SSA-1560 to 
charge a fee for representing a claimant in proceedings before SSA. A 
representative must file either a fee petition or fee agreement with 
SSA. If the representative files a fee petition (Form SSA-1560) to 
obtain approval of a fee, SSA reviews the information to determine a 
reasonable fee for the representative's services. Respondents are 
attorneys and non-attorneys who represent claimants for Social Security 
benefits.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 34,624.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 17,312 hours.
    4. Annual Earnings Test Direct Mail Follow-Up Program Notices--20 
CFR 404.452-404.455--0960-0369. The Mid-Year Mailer ensures Social 
Security payments are correct. Beneficiaries under full retirement age 
(FRA) use Forms SSA-L9778, SSA-L9779, and SSA-L9781 to update their 
current year estimate and their estimate for the

[[Page 30657]]

following year. Beneficiaries use Mid-Year Mailer Forms SSA-L9784 and 
SSA-L9785 to request earnings estimates in the year of FRA for the 
period prior to the month of FRA. Beneficiaries will use new Form SSA-
L9790 to report earnings information at the end of the year. The 
respondents are working Retirement Survivors Insurance beneficiaries 
with earnings over the exempt amount.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 460,000.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 76,667 hours.
    5. Electronic Benefit Verification Information (BEVE)--20 CFR 
401.40--0960-0595. The electronic proof of income (POI) verification 
Internet service, BEVE, provides beneficiaries the convenience of 
requesting a proof of income statement through the Internet. 
Beneficiaries often require a POI to obtain housing, food stamps, or 
other public services. SSA uses the information BEVE collects to 
provide the POI to the beneficiary, after verifying the requestor's 
identity. The respondents are Social Security Title II, Title XVI, and 
Medicare beneficiaries.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 314,974.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 26,248 hours.
    6. Application for Survivors Benefits--20 CFR 404.611(a) and (c)--
0960-0062. Surviving family members of armed services personnel can 
file for Social Security and Veterans' benefits at SSA or the Veterans 
Administration (VA). If applicants go to the VA first, they complete 
Form SSA-24, the Application for Survivor's Benefits. The VA then 
forwards Form SSA-24 to SSA for processing. If applicants previously 
filed for benefits at SSA, the Agency disregards this form. The 
respondents are survivors of deceased armed services personnel who are 
applying for benefits at the VA.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 3,200.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 800 hours.
    7. Quarterly Statistical Report on Recipients and Payments under 
State-Administered Assistance Programs for Aged, Blind and Disabled 
(Individuals and Couples) Recipients--20 CFR 416.2010, 20 CFR 
416.2098--0960-0130. States with agreements with SSA under the State 
supplementation provisions of the Social Security Act must provide 
statistical data to SSA. State Disability Determination Services (DDS) 
inform SSA of expenditures and caseloads of State-administered 
supplements under the Supplemental Security Income program. SSA needs 
the data from this report to: (1) Supplement the information it already 
has about federally-administered programs; (2) more fully explain the 
effect of the public income support programs on the needy, aged, blind, 
and disabled; and (3) monitor State compliance with the mandatory pass-
along provision. States and other Federal agencies use data from this 
report as well for various purposes. The respondents are State DDSs.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 31.
    Frequency of Response: 4.
    Average Burden Per Response: 60 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 124 hours.
    8. Employee Work Activity Questionnaire--20 CFR 404.1574, 
404.1592--0960-0483. Social Security disability claimants qualify for 
benefits when a verified physical or mental impairment prevents them 
from working. If disability claimants attempt to return to work after 
receiving disability benefits but are unable to continue working, they 
submit Form SSA-3033, the Employee Work Activity Questionnaire, so SSA 
can evaluate the work attempt. SSA also uses this form to evaluate 
unsuccessful subsidy work. Ultimately, SSA uses the form to determine 
applicants' continuing eligibility for disability benefits. The 
respondents are employers of Social Security disability beneficiaries 
who unsuccessfully attempted to return to work.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 15,000.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 3,750 hours.
    9. Medical Permit Parking Application--41 CFR 101-20.104-2--0960-
0624. SSA employees and contractors with a qualifying medical condition 
who park at SSA-owned and -leased facilities may receive a medical 
parking permit. SSA uses three forms as part of this program: SSA-3192, 
the Physician's Report (which the applicant's physician completes to 
verify the medical condition); Form SSA-3193, the Application and 
Statement (which the person seeking the permit completes when first 
applying for the medical parking space); and Form SSA-3194, the Renewal 
Certification (which medical parking permit holders complete to verify 
their continued need for the permit). The respondents are SSA employees 
and contractors seeking medical parking permits and their physicians. 
Note: Because SSA employees are federal workers and are PRA-exempt, the 
burden below is only for SSA contractors and physicians (of both SSA 
employees and contractors).
    Type of Request: Revision to an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                      Average
                                                     Number of     Frequency of     burden per       Estimated
                                                    respondents      response        response      annual burden
                                                                                     (minutes)        (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-3192........................................              75               1              90             113
SSA-3193........................................              75               1              30              38
SSA-3194........................................              10               1               5               1
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals......................................             160  ..............  ..............             152
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    10. Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security 
Administration--0960-0602. A wage earner or an organization may request 
detailed earnings information from SSA. SSA collects the information on 
the SSA-581 to identify the earnings record, verify authorized access 
to the earnings record, and produce an itemized statement for release 
to the proper party. The respondents are various private/

[[Page 30658]]

public organizations/agencies needing detailed earnings information.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 33,000.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 2 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,100 hours.
    11. Statement Regarding the Inferred Death of an Individual by 
Reason of Continued and Unexplained Absence--20 CFR 404.720 & 404.721--
0960-0002. Section 202(d)-(i) of the Social Security Act provides for 
the payment of various monthly survivor benefits and a lump sum death 
payment to certain survivors upon the death of an individual who dies 
fully or currently insured. If a person has been absent from his or her 
residence and has not been heard from for at least 7 years, SSA will 
presume he or she is deceased. SSA collects information on Form SSA-
723-F4 to determine if SSA may presume a missing wage earner is 
deceased and, if so, to establish a date of presumed death. The 
respondents are persons having knowledge about the disappearance of a 
wage earner.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 3,000.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,500 hours.
    12. Railroad Employment Questionnaire--20 CFR 404.1401, 404.1406-
404.1408--0960-0078. SSA uses the data on the SSA-671 to secure 
sufficient information to effect the required coordination with the 
Railroad Retirement Board for Social Security claims processing. SSA 
obtains data whenever claimants give indications of employment in the 
railroad industry. The respondents are applicants for Social Security 
benefits employed by a railroad or dependents of railroad workers.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 125,000.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 10,417 hours.
    13. Government Pension Questionnaire--20 CFR 404.408a--0960-0160. 
The Social Security Act and regulations provide an individual receiving 
spousal benefits and concurrently receiving a Government pension based 
on his or her own earnings not covered by Social Security may have the 
amount of the Social Security benefit reduced by two-thirds the amount 
of the Government pension. SSA uses the information on the SSA-3885 to 
determine whether the individual's Social Security benefit is subject 
to reduction, the amount of the reduction, the effective date of the 
reduction, and whether one of the exceptions in 20 CFR 404.408a 
applies. The respondents are individuals receiving spousal benefits and 
a Government pension.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 30,000.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 12.5 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 6,250 hours.
    14. Teacher Questionnaire and Request for Administrative 
Information--20 CFR 416.1103(f)--0960-0646. SSA must consider all 
relevant evidence when determining a child's disability under Title XVI 
of the Social Security Act. When determining the effects of a child's 
(or other individual's) impairment(s), SSA must obtain information 
about the child's functioning. Using Forms SSA-5665 and SSA-5666, SSA 
obtains formal testing results, teacher reports, therapy progress 
notes, individualized education program information and other records 
of a child's educational aptitude and achievement. The respondents are 
parents, teachers and other education personnel.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                      Average
                                                     Number of     Frequency of     burden per     Total annual
                   Form number                      respondents      response        response     burden (hours)
                                                                                     (minutes)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-5665-BK.....................................         618,000               1              20         206,000
SSA-5666........................................         615,000               1              15         153,750
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals......................................       1,233,000  ..............  ..............         359,750
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SSA has made a correction to this Notice. Previously we 
inadvertently published the burden information for only one of the 
forms. We are now including a chart to show the information for both 
forms.
    15. Statement of Income and Resources--20 CFR 416.207, 146.301--
416.310, 416.704, and 416.708--0960-0124. SSA collects information 
about income and resources on form SSA-8010-BK in Supplemental Security 
Income (SSI) claims and redeterminations. SSA uses the information to 
make initial or continuing eligibility determinations for SSI 
claimants/recipients who are subject to deeming. The respondents are 
persons whose income and resources may be deemed (considered available) 
to applicants or beneficiaries of SSI benefits.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.
    Number of Respondents: 341,000.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Burden Per Response: 26 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 147,767 hours.
    16. Medicare Part D Subsidies Regulations--20 CFR Part 418--0960-
0702. The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement, and Modernization Act 
of 2003 (MMA) established the Medicare Part D program for voluntary 
prescription drug coverage of premium, deductible, and co-payment costs 
for certain low-income individuals. The MMA also mandated the provision 
of subsidies for those individuals who qualify for the program and who 
meet eligibility criteria for help with premium, deductible, and/or co-
payment costs.
    This law requires SSA to make eligibility determinations and to 
provide a process for appealing SSA's determinations. Regulation 
sections 418.3625(c), 418.3645, 418.3665(a), and 418.3670 contain 
public reporting requirements, listed below. Respondents are applicants 
for the Medicare Part D subsidies who request an administrative review 
hearing.
    Type of Request: Revision to an existing OMB-approved information 
collection.

[[Page 30659]]



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                                                                                      Average
                                                  Annual  number   Frequency of     burden per       Estimated
                     Section                            of           response        response      annual burden
                                                    respondents                      (minutes)        (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   418.3625(c) One may request in writing a            2,500               1               5             208
 change in date/time for an administrative
 review hearing.................................
Sec.   418.3645 One may request in writing a                  10               1              20               3
 different person to conduct the administrative
 hearing if they suspect bias...................
Sec.   418.3665(a) One may withdraw their                  1,000               1               5              83
 request in writing for an administrative review
 hearing........................................
Sec.   418.3670 Applicants may ask SSA to vacate               5               1              10               1
 their previous request to dismiss an
 administrative review hearing..................
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................           3,515  ..............  ..............             295
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    Dated: May 22, 2008.
Elizabeth A. Davidson,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-11898 Filed 5-27-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P