[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 35 (Thursday, February 21, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12128-12129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03983]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

 [Docket No. SSA 2012-0067]


Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Department of 
the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS))--Match Number 1305

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

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

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, (5 
U.S.C. 552a), this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer 
matching program that we are currently conducting with IRS.

DATES: We 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 matching program will be 
effective as indicated below.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by either

[[Page 12129]]

telefaxing to (410) 966-0869 or writing to the Executive Director, 
Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, Social 
Security Administration, 617 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 Executive Director, Office of 
Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, 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 persons 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 persons.
    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 approval of the matching agreement by the Data Integrity 
Boards of the participating Federal agencies;
    (3) Publish a 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 a person's benefits or payments.

B. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

    We have taken action to ensure that all of our computer matching 
programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended.

Kirsten J. Moncada,
Executive Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the 
General Counsel.

Notice of Computer Matching Program, SSA With the Department of the 
Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

A. Participating Agencies

    SSA and IRS.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

    The purpose of this matching program is to set forth the terms 
under which IRS will disclose to us certain return information for the 
purpose of verifying eligibility or the correct subsidy percentage of 
benefits provided under section 1860D-14 of the Social Security Act 
(Act). (42 U.S.C. 1395w-114).

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    Section 1860D-14 of the Act requires the Commissioner to determine 
the eligibility of applicants for the prescription drug subsidy who 
self-certify their income, resources, and family size. In addition, 
section 6103(1)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 6103(1)(7)) 
authorizes IRS to disclose return information with respect to unearned 
income to Federal, state, and local agencies administering certain 
benefit programs under the Act.

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

    Medicare beneficiaries who apply for the prescription drug subsidy 
under section 1860D-14 of the Act must self-certify on the application 
form the applicant's income, resources, and family size. We verify this 
information before making a subsidy determination.
    When Medicare beneficiaries apply for the subsidy, and we cannot 
otherwise verify the income information provided on an application, we 
disclose to IRS the applicant's name and Social Security number.
    We provide IRS with identifying information with respect to 
applicants for, and recipients of, the prescription drug subsidy from 
the existing Medicare Database system of records, SSA/ORSIS 60-0321, 
originally published at 69 FR 77816 (December 28, 2004), and as revised 
at 71 FR 42159 (July 25, 2006). IRS extracts return information with 
respect to unearned income from the Information Returns Master File, 
Treasury/IRS 22.061, as published at 77 FR 47946 (August 10, 2012).

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

    The effective date of this matching program is November 11, 2012, 
provided that the following notice periods have lapsed: 30 days after 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register and 40 days after 
notice of the matching program is sent to Congress and OMB. The 
matching program will continue for 18 months from the effective date 
and, if both agencies meet certain conditions, it may extend for an 
additional 12 months thereafter.

[FR Doc. 2013-03983 Filed 2-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P