[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 4, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70216-70221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24479]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No: SSA-2020-0056]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and 
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 104-13, the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, effective October 1, 1995. This notice 
includes revisions 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 ways to minimize burden 
on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Mail, email, or fax your 
comments and recommendations on the information collection(s) to the 
OMB Desk Officer and SSA Reports Clearance Officer at the following 
addresses or fax numbers.
    (OMB) Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA, 
Fax: 202-395-6974, Email address: [email protected].
    (SSA) Social Security Administration, OLCA, Attn: Reports Clearance 
Director, 3100 West High Rise, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 
21235, Fax: 410-966-2830, Email address: [email protected].
    Or you may submit your comments online through www.regulations.gov, 
referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-2020-0056].
    I. The information collections below are pending at SSA. SSA will 
submit them to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. To be 
sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than 
January 4, 2021. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection 
instruments by writing to the above email address.
    1. Help America Vote Act--0960-0706. Public Law 107-252, the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002, mandates that States verify the identities of 
newly registered voters. When newly registered voters do not have 
driver's licenses or State-issued ID cards, they must supply the last 
four digits of their Social Security number to their local State 
election agencies for verification. The election agencies forward this 
information to their State Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), and the 
State MVA inputs the data into the American Association of MVAs, a 
central consolidation system that routes the voter data to SSA's Help 
America Vote Verification (HAVV) system. Once SSA's HAVV system 
confirms the identity of the voter, the information returns along the 
same route in reverse until it reaches the State election agency. The 
respondents are the State MVAs seeking to confirm voter identities.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

[[Page 70217]]



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                                                                                                                            Average
                                                                                       Average burden  Estimated total    theoretical      Total annual
      Modality of completion          Number of       Frequency of      Number of       per response    annual burden     hourly cost      opportunity
                                     respondents        response        responses        (minutes)         (hours)           amount       cost (dollars)
                                                                                                                          (dollars) *           **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAVV.............................              48           87,332        4,191,936                2          139,731         * $17.94    ** $2,506,774
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on average local government information and records clerk's salary shown on the Bureau of Labor Statistic's website (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes434199.htm).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
  these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
  respondents to complete the application.

    2. Incoming and Outgoing Intergovernmental Personnel Act Assignment 
Agreement--5 CFR part 334--0960-0792. The Intergovernmental Personnel 
Act (IPA) mobility program provides for the temporary assignment of 
civilian personnel between the Federal Government and State and local 
governments; colleges and universities; Indian tribal governments; 
federally funded research and development centers; and other eligible 
organizations. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) created a 
generic form, the OF-69, for agencies to use as a template when 
collecting information for the IPA assignment. The OF-69 collects 
specific information about the agreement including: (1) The enrolled 
employee's name, Social Security number, job title, salary, 
classification, and address; (2) the type of assignment; (3) the 
reimbursement arrangement; and (4) an explanation as to how the 
assignment benefits both SSA and the non-federal organization involved 
in the exchange. OPM directs agencies to use their own forms for 
recording these agreements. So, SSA modified the OF-69 to meet our 
needs, creating the SSA-187 for incoming employees and the SSA-188 for 
outgoing employees. SSA collects information on the SSA-187 and SSA-188 
to document the IPA assignment, and to act as an agreement between the 
agencies. Respondents are personnel from State and local governments; 
colleges and universities; Indian tribal governments; federally funded 
research and development centers; and other eligible organizations who 
participate in the IPA exchange with SSA.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                              Average
                                                                                          Average burden     Estimated      theoretical    Total annual
                 Modality of completion                      Number of     Frequency of    per response    total annual     hourly cost     opportunity
                                                            respondents      response        (minutes)    burden (hours)      amount      cost (dollars)
                                                                                                                            (dollars) *         **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Federal employee....................................               3               1              30               2        * $50.00         ** $100
Non-Federal employer signers............................              12               1               5               1         * 50.00           ** 50
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..............................................              15  ..............  ..............               3  ..............          ** 150
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on averaging the average of Postsecondary Education Administrators and Executive Branch Management Analysts hourly wages, as
  reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119033.htm & https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131111.htm).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
  these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
  respondents to complete the application.

    II. SSA submitted the information collections below to OMB for 
clearance. Your comments regarding these information collections would 
be most useful if OMB and SSA receive them 30 days from the date of 
this publication. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive 
them no later than December 4, 2020. Individuals can obtain copies of 
these OMB clearance packages by writing to 
[email protected].
    1. Statement Regarding Contributions--20 CFR 404.360-404.366 and 
404.736--0960-0020. SSA uses Form SSA-783 to collect information 
regarding a child's current sources of support when determining the 
child's entitlement to Social Security benefits. We request this 
information from adults acting on behalf of the child claimants who can 
provide SSA with any sources of support or substantial contributions 
for the child. These adults inform the claims representative as part of 
the initial benefits process. If the individual capable of providing 
the information does not accompany the child claimant, we mail the SSA-
783 to the individual for completion, or if the person has access to a 
computer, we will refer them to SSA's website. The respondents are 
individuals providing information about a child's sources of support.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Average
                                                                    Average burden  Estimated total    theoretical      Average wait      Total annual
     Modality of completion         Number of       Frequency of     per response    annual burden     hourly cost     time in field    opportunity cost
                                   respondents        response        (minutes)         (hours)           amount           office        (dollars) ***
                                                                                                       (dollars) *      (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-783........................           2,352                1               15              588         * $25.72            ** 24        *** $39,326
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on the average hourly wage for all occupations in May 2019 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information data.

[[Page 70218]]

 
*** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
  these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
  respondents to complete the application.

    2. Statement of Income and Resources--20 CFR 416.207, 416.301-
416.310, 416.704, and 416.708--0960-0124. SSA collects information 
about income and resources for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
claims and redeterminations on the SSA-8010-BK. SSA uses the 
information to make initial or continuing eligibility determinations 
for SSI claimants or recipients who are subject to deeming. The 
respondents are people whose income and resources SSA may deem 
(consider to be available) to SSI applicants or recipients.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                            Average
                                                                             Average       Estimated      theoretical    Average wait     Total annual
           Modality of completion                Number of     Frequency    burden per   total annual     hourly cost    time in field  opportunity cost
                                                respondents   of response    response   burden (hours)      amount          office        (dollars) ***
                                                                            (minutes)                     (dollars) *    (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-8010-BK (Intranet)......................       1,855,340            1           20         618,447        * $10.73           ** 24   *** $14,599,056
SSA-8010-BK (Paper).........................          61,380            1           20          20,460         * 10.73           ** 24       *** 482,979
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..................................       1,916,720  ...........  ...........         638,907  ..............  ..............    *** 15,082,035
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2020 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2020Fact%20Sheet.pdf).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on our current management information data.
*** This figure does not represent actual costs that we are imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
  these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
  respondents to complete the application.

    3. Medical Permit Parking Application--41 CFR 102-71.20 & 102-
74.305--0960-0624. SSA employees and contractors with a qualifying 
medical condition who park at SSA-owned and leased facilities may apply 
to receive a medical parking permit. SSA uses three forms for this 
program: (1) SSA-3192, the Application and Statement, which an 
individual completes when first applying for the medical parking space; 
(2) SSA-3193, the Physician's Report, which the applicant's physician 
completes to verify the medical condition; and (3) SSA-3194, 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 exempt from the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the burden below is 
only for SSA contractors and physicians (of both SSA employees and 
contractors).

    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                                              Average
                                                                                          Average burden     Estimated      theoretical    Total annual
                 Modality of completion                      Number of     Frequency of    per response    total annual     hourly cost     opportunity
                                                            respondents      response        (minutes)    burden (hours)      amount      cost (dollars)
                                                                                                                            (dollars) *         **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-3192................................................             390               1              30             195        * $44.07       ** $8,594
SSA-3193................................................             465               1              90             698         * 44.07       ** 30,761
SSA-3194................................................              82               1               5               7         * 44.07          ** 308
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..............................................             937  ..............  ..............             900  ..............       ** 39,663
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on averaging the average of Office Physicians and Executive Branch Management Analysts hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of
  Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291123.htm & https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131111.htm).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
  these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
  respondents to complete the application.

    4. Request for Evidence from Doctor and Request for Evidence from 
Hospital--20 CFR 404 Subpart P and 20 CFR 416 Subpart I--0960-0722. 
Sections 223(d)(5) and 1614(a)(3)(H)(i) of the Social Security Act 
require claimants to furnish medical evidence of their disability when 
filing a disability claim. SSA uses Forms HA-66 and HA-67 to request 
evidence from medical sources, which claimants identify as having 
information relative to their impairments, or ability to do work-
related activities. In addition to accepting manual paper responses, 
SSA sends a barcode with the HA-66 and HA-67, allowing respondents to 
fax the information directly into the electronic claims folder rather 
than submitting it manually. SSA uses the information to determine 
eligibility for benefits, and to pay medical sources for furnishing the 
information. The respondents are medical sources, doctors, and 
hospitals that evaluate the claimants.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

[[Page 70219]]



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                                                                                                                              Average
                                                                                          Average burden     Estimated      theoretical    Total annual
                 Modality of completion                      Number of     Frequency of    per response    total annual     hourly cost     opportunity
                                                            respondents      response        (minutes)    burden (hours)      amount      cost (dollars)
                                                                                                                            (dollars) *         **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HA-66--Paper Version....................................           3,060              22              15          16,830          $40.21     ** $676,734
HA-66--;Electronic Version (ERE or barcode).............           8,940              22              15          49,170           40.21     * 1,977,126
HA-67--Paper Version....................................           3,060              22              15          16,830           40.21      ** 676,734
HA-67--Electronic Version (ERE or barcode)..............           8,940              22              15          49,170           40.21    ** 1,977,126
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..............................................          24,000  ..............  ..............         132,000  ..............    ** 5,307,720
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on average Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data
  (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes290000.htm).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
  these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
  respondents to complete the application.

    5. Social Security's Public Credentialing and Authentication 
Process--20 CFR 401.45 and Part 402--0960-0789.

Background

    Authentication is the foundation for secure, online transactions. 
Identity authentication is the process of determining, with confidence, 
that someone is who he or she claims to be during a remote, automated 
session. It comprises three distinct factors: Something you know; 
something you have; and something you are. Single-factor authentication 
uses one of the factors, and multi-factor authentication uses two or 
more of the factors.

SSA's Public Credentialing and Authentication Process

    SSA offers consistent authentication across SSA's secured online 
services. We allow our users to request and maintain only one User ID, 
consisting of a self-selected username and password, to access multiple 
Social Security electronic services. Designed in accordance with the 
OMB Memorandum M-04-04 and the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-63, this process provides the 
means of authenticating users of our secured electronic services and 
streamlines access to those services.
    SSA's public credentialing and authentication process:
     Issues a single User ID to anyone who wants to do business 
with the agency and meets the eligibility criteria;
     Partners with an external Identity Services Provider (ISP) 
to help us verify the identity of our online customers;
     Complies with relevant standards;
     Offers access to some of SSA's heaviest, but more 
sensitive, workloads online while providing a high level of confidence 
in the identity of the person requesting access to these services;
     Offers an in-person process for those who are 
uncomfortable with or unable to use the internet process;
     Balances security with ease of use; and
     Provides a user-friendly way for the public to conduct 
extended business with us online instead of visiting local servicing 
offices or requesting information over the phone. Individuals have 
real-time access to their Social Security information in a safe and 
secure web environment.

Public Credentialing and Authentication Process Features

    We collect and maintain the users' personally identifiable 
information (PII) in our Central Repository of Electronic 
Authentication Data Master File Privacy Act system of records, which we 
published in the Federal Register (75 FR 79065). The PII may include 
the users' name; address; date of birth; Social Security number (SSN); 
phone number; and other types of identity information [e.g., address 
information of persons from the W-2 and Schedule Self Employed forms we 
receive electronically for our programmatic purposes as permitted by 26 
U.S.C. 6103(l)(1)(A)]. We may also collect knowledge-based 
authentication data, which is information users establish with us or 
that we already maintain in our existing Privacy Act systems of 
records.
    We retain the data necessary to administer and maintain our e-
Authentication infrastructure. This includes management and profile 
information, such as blocked accounts; failed access data; effective 
date of passwords; and other data allowing us to evaluate the system's 
effectiveness. The data we maintain also may include archived 
transaction data and historical data.
    We use the information from this collection to identity proof and 
authenticate our users online, and to allow them access to their 
personal information from our records. We also use this information to 
provide second factor authentication. We are committed to expanding and 
improving this process so we can grant access to additional online 
services in the future.
    Offering online services is not only an important part of meeting 
SSA's goals, but is vital to good public service. In increasing 
numbers, the public expects to conduct complex business over the 
internet. Ensuring SSA's online services are both secure and user-
friendly is our priority.
    We awarded a competitively bid contract to an ISP, Equifax, to help 
us verify the identity of our online customers. We use this ISP, in 
addition to our other authentication methods, to help us prove, or 
verify, the identity of our customers when they are completing online 
or electronic transactions with us.

Social Security's Authentication Strategy

    We remain committed to enhancing our online services using 
authentication processes that balance usability and security. We will 
continue to research and develop new authentication tools while 
monitoring the emerging threats.
    The following are key components of our authentication strategy:
     Enrollment and Identity Verification--Individuals who meet 
the following eligibility requirements may enroll:
    [cir] Must have a valid email address;
    [cir] Must have a valid Social Security number (SSN);
    [cir] Must have a domestic address of record (includes military 
addresses); and
    [cir] Must be at least 18 years of age.
    We collect identifying data and use SSA and ISP records to verify 
an individual's identity. Individuals have

[[Page 70220]]

the option of obtaining an enhanced, stronger, User ID by providing 
certain financial information (e.g., Medicare wages, self-employed 
earnings, or the last eight digits of a credit card number) for 
verification. We also ask individuals to answer out-of-wallet questions 
so we can further verify their identities. Individuals who are unable 
to complete the process online can present identification at a field 
office to obtain a User ID.
     Establishing the User Profile--The individual self-selects 
a username and password, both of which can be of variable length and 
alphanumeric. We provide a password strength indicator to help the 
individual select a strong password. We also ask the individual to 
choose challenge questions for use in restoring a lost or forgotten 
username or password.
     Provide a Second Factor--We ask the individual to provide 
a text message enabled cell phone number or an email address. We 
consider the cell phone number or email address the second factor of 
authentication. We send a security code to the individual's selected 
second factor. We require the individual to confirm its receipt by 
entering the security code online. Subsequently, each time the 
individual attempts to sign in to his or her online account, we will 
also send a message with a one-time security code to the individual's 
selected second factor. The individual must enter the security code 
along with his or her username and password. The code is valid for only 
10 minutes. If the individual does not enter the code within 10 
minutes, the code expires, and the individual must request another 
code.
     Enhancing the User ID--If individuals opt to enhance or 
upgrade their User IDs, they must provide certain financial information 
for verification. We mail a one-time-use upgrade code to the 
individual's verified residential address. When the individual receives 
the upgrade code in the mail, he or she can enter this code online to 
enhance the security of the account. With extra security, we continue 
to require the individuals to sign in using their username, password, 
and a one-time security code we send to their second factor email 
address or cell phone number (whichever the users listed in their 
account).
     Sign in and Use--Our authentication process provides an 
individual with a User ID for access to our sensitive online Social 
Security services. Second factor authentication requires the individual 
to sign in with a username, password, and a one-time security code sent 
to the individual's selected second factor. SSA expanded its existing 
capabilities to require second factor authentication for every online 
sign in. We also allow for maintenance of the second factor options. An 
individual who forgets the password can reset it automatically without 
contacting SSA.

Social Security's Enrollment Process

    The enrollment process is a one-time only activity. SSA requires 
the individuals to agree to the ``Terms of Service'' detailed on our 
website before we allow them to begin the enrollment process. The 
``Terms of Service'' inform the individuals what we will and will not 
do with their personal information, and the privacy and security 
protections we provide on all data we collect. These terms also detail 
the consequences of misusing this service.
    To verify the individual's identity, we ask the individual to give 
us minimal personal information, which may include:
     Name;
     SSN;
     Date of birth;
     Address--mailing and residential;
     Telephone number;
     Email address;
     Financial information;
     Cell phone number; and
     Selecting and answering password reset questions.
    We send a subset of this information to the ISP, who then generates 
a series of out-of-wallet questions back to the individual. The 
individual must answer all or most of the questions correctly before 
continuing in the process. The exact questions generated are unique to 
each individual.
    This collection of information, or a subset of it, is mandatory for 
respondents who want to do business with SSA via the internet. We 
collect this information via the internet on SSA's public-facing 
website. We also offer an in-person identification verification process 
for individuals who cannot, or are not willing, to register online. For 
this process, the individual must go to a local SSA field office and 
provide identifying information. We do not ask for financial 
information with the in-person process.
    We only collect the identity verification information one time, 
when the individual registers for a credential. We ask for the User ID 
(username and password) every time an individual signs in to our 
automated services. If individuals opt for the enhanced or upgraded 
account, they also either receive an email message or a text message on 
their cell phones (this serves as the second factor for authentication) 
each time they sign in.
    The respondents are individuals who choose to use the internet or 
Automated Telephone Response System to conduct business with SSA.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                            Average
                                                                             Average       Estimated      theoretical    Average wait     Total annual
           Modality of completion                Number of     Frequency    burden per   total annual     hourly cost    time in field  opportunity cost
                                                respondents   of response    response   burden (hours)      amount          office        (dollars) ***
                                                                            (minutes)                     (dollars) *    (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Registration.......................       7,875,448            1            8       1,050,060        * $25.72  ..............   *** $27,007,543
Internet Sign-Ins...........................      53,985,814            1            1         899,764         * 25.72  ..............    *** 23,141,930
Intranet Registration (RCS).................       2,295,983            1            8         306,131         * 25.72           ** 24    *** 31,494,757
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..................................      64,157,245  ...........  ...........       2,255,955  ..............  ..............    *** 81,644,230
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figures on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on our current management information data.
*** This figure does not represent actual costs that we are imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
  these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
  respondents to complete the application.



[[Page 70221]]

    Dated: October 30, 2020.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-24479 Filed 11-3-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P