[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 35464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14409]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA-2012-0029]


Modifications to the Disability Determination Procedures; 
Extension of Testing of Some Disability Redesign Features

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Notice of the Extension of Tests Involving Modifications to the 
Disability Determination Procedures.

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SUMMARY: We are announcing the extension of tests involving 
modifications to disability determination procedures authorized by 20 
CFR 404.906 and 416.1406. These rules authorize us to test several 
modifications to the disability determination procedures for 
adjudicating claims for disability insurance benefits under title II of 
the Social Security Act (Act) and for supplemental security income 
payments based on disability under title XVI of the Act.

DATES: We are extending our selection of cases to be included in these 
tests from September 28, 2012 until no later than September 27, 2013. 
If we decide to continue selection of cases for these tests beyond this 
date, we will publish another notice in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Vincent, Office of Disability 
Programs, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, (410) 597-0549, for information about this 
notice. For information on eligibility or filing for benefits, call our 
national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778, or 
visit our Internet site, Social Security Online, at http://www.socialsecurity.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Our current rules authorize us to test, 
individually or in any combination, certain modifications to the 
disability determination procedures. 20 CFR 404.906 and 416.1406. We 
have conducted several tests under the authority of these rules. In the 
``single decisionmaker'' test, a disability examiner may make the 
initial disability determination in most cases without obtaining the 
signature of a medical or psychological consultant. We also have 
conducted a separate test, which we call the ``prototype,'' in 10 
States. 64 FR 47218. Currently, the prototype combines the single 
decisionmaker approach described above with the elimination of the 
reconsideration level of our administrative review process.
    We have extended the time period for selecting claims for these 
tests several times. Most recently, on September 24, 2009, we extended 
the time period until September 28, 2012. 74 FR 48797. We have decided 
to extend case selection for the prototype and the single decisionmaker 
tests until September 27, 2013. If we decide to end any part of these 
tests in any of the 10 States in which we are conducting the tests 
prior to September 27, 2013, we will publish another notice in the 
Federal Register.

    Dated: June 6, 2012.
David A. Rust,
Deputy Commissioner for Retirement and Disability Policy.
[FR Doc. 2012-14409 Filed 6-12-12; 8:45 am]
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