[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 236 (Tuesday, December 8, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79064-79068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26871]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA-2020-0051]
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 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-2020-0051].
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 January 7, 2021. Individuals can obtain copies of
these OMB clearance packages by writing to
[email protected].
1. Disability Report-Appeal--20 CFR 404.1512, 416.912, 404.916(c),
416.1416(c), 422.140, 404.1713, 416.1513, 404.1740(b)(4), and
416.1540(b)(4)--0960-0144. SSA requires disability applicants who wish
to appeal an unfavorable determination to complete Form SSA-3441-BK;
the associated Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS) interview;
or the internet application, i3441. This allows claimants to disclose
any changes to their disability, or resources, which might influence
SSA's unfavorable determination. SSA may use the information to: (1)
Reconsider and review an initial disability determination; (2) review a
continuing disability; and (3) evaluate a request for a hearing. This
information assists the State Disability Determination Services (DDS)
and administrative law judges (ALJ) in preparing for the appeals and
hearings, and in issuing a determination or decision on an individual's
entitlement (initial or continuing) to disability benefits. In
addition, the information we collect on the SSA-3441-BK, or related
modalities, facilitates SSA's collection of medical information to
support the applicant's request for reconsideration; request for
benefits cessation appeal; and request for a hearing before an ALJ.
Respondents are individuals who appeal denial, reduction, or cessation
of Social Security disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) payments; individuals who wish to request a hearing before an
ALJ; or their representatives.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Average wait Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost time in field opportunity
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount office cost (dollars)
(dollars) * (minutes) ** ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-3441-BK (Paper Form)................ 22,556 1 45 16,917 * $18.22 ** 24 *** $472,609
Electronic Disability Collect System 208,831 1 45 156,623 * 10.73 ** 24 *** 2,576,863
(EDCS)--Individuals....................
Electronic Disability Collect System 71,652 1 45 53,739 * 25.72 .............. *** 1,382,167
(EDCS)--Representatives................
i3441 (Internet Application)-- 109,598 1 28 51,146 * 10.73 .............. *** 548,797
Individuals............................
i3441 (Internet Application)-- 656,424 1 28 306,331 * 25.72 .............. *** 7,878,833
Representatives........................
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Totals.............................. 1,069,061 .............. .............. 584,756 .............. .............. *** 12,859,269
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* We based these figures on average DI hourly wages for single students based on SSA's current FY 2020 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2020Fact%20Sheet.pdf), and on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm), as well as a combination of those two figures (for the paper form, as we do not collect data on whether the paper forms are filled out
by individuals or representatives or both).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information data.
*** 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. Annual Earnings Test Direct Mail Follow-Up Program Notices--20
CFR 404.452-404.455--0960-0369. SSA developed the Annual Earnings Test
Direct Mail Follow-up Program to improve beneficiary reporting on work
and earnings during the year and earnings information at the end of the
year. SSA may reduce benefits payable under the Social Security Act
(Act) when an individual has wages or self-employment income exceeding
the annual exempt amount. SSA identifies beneficiaries likely to
receive more than the annual exempt amount, and requests more frequent
estimates of earnings from them. When applicable, SSA also requests a
future year estimate to reduce overpayments due to earnings. SSA sends
letters (SSA-L9778, SSA-L9779, SSA-L9781, SSA-L9784, SSA-L9785, and
SSA-L9790) to beneficiaries requesting earnings information the month
prior to their attainment of full retirement age. We send each
beneficiary a tailored letter that includes relevant earnings data from
SSA records. The Annual Earnings Test Direct Mail Follow-up Program
helps to ensure Social Security payments are
[[Page 79065]]
correct, and enables us to prevent earnings-related overpayments, and
avoid erroneous withholding. The respondents are working Social
Security beneficiaries with earnings over the exempt amount.
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) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-L9778............................................... 42,630 1 10 7,105 $25.72 ** $182,741
SSA-L9779............................................... 158,865 1 10 26,478 25.72 ** 681,014
SSA-L9781............................................... 472,437 1 10 78,740 25.72 ** 2,025,193
SSA-L9784............................................... 1,270 1 10 212 25.72 ** 5,453
SSA-L9785............................................... 15,870 1 10 2,645 25.72 ** 68,029
SSA-L9790............................................... 45,000 1 10 7,500 25.72 ** 192,900
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................................. 736,072 .............. .............. 122,680 .............. ** 3,155,330
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* We based these figures on the average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm).
** 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. Request for Social Security Earnings Information--20 CFR 401.100
and 404.810--0960-0525. The Social Security Act permits wage earners,
or their authorized representatives, to request Social Security
earnings information from SSA using Form SSA-7050-F4. SSA uses the
information the respondent provides on Form SSA-7050-F4 to verify the
wage earner has: (1) Earnings; (2) the right to access the correct
Social Security Record; and (3) the right to request the earnings
statement. If we verify all three items, SSA produces an Itemized
Statement of Earnings (Form SSA-1826) and sends it to the requestor.
The agency charges respondents for sending them an Itemized Statement
of Earnings. Respondents are wage earners and their authorized
representatives who are requesting Itemized Statement of Earnings
records.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average burden Estimated total theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-7050-F4....................................... 66,800 1 11 12,247 * $25.72 ** $314,993
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* We based this figure on the average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.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.
Cost Burden to Respondents: The agency charges respondents to send
them an Itemized Statement of Earnings for purposes unrelated to the
administration of our programs. The chart below shows the costs to the
respondents for this request:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Cost per
Type of respondent requests request Annual cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Certified Respondent........................................ 33,400 $92.00 $3,072,800
Certified Respondent............................................ 33,400 122.00 4,074,800
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Total....................................................... .............. .............. 7,147,600
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4. Disability Case Development Information Collections By State
Disability Determination Services On Behalf of SSA--20 CFR 404.1503a,
404.1512, 404.1513, 404.1514, 404.1517, 404.1519; 20 CFR 404.1613,
404.1614, 404.1624; 20 CFR 416.903a, 416.912, 416.913, 416.914,
416.917, 416.919 and 20 CFR 416.1013, 416.1014, 416.1024--0960-0555.
State DDSs collect the information necessary to administer the Social
Security Disability Insurance and SSI programs. They collect medical
evidence from consultative examination (CE) sources; credential
information from CE source applicants; and medical evidence of record
(MER) from claimants' medical sources. The DDSs collect information
from claimants regarding medical appointments, pain, symptoms, and
impairments. The respondents are medical providers, other sources of
MER, and disability claimants.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
CE Collections
There are four CE information collections: (a) Medical evidence
about claimants' medical condition(s) that DDS's use to make disability
determinations when the claimant's own medical sources cannot or will
not provide the required information, and proof of credentials from CE
providers; (b) CE appointment letters; (c) CE claimant reports sent to
claimants' doctors; and (d) One-time CE claimant telehealth call
script/letter.
[[Page 79066]]
(a) Medical Evidence and Credentials From CE Providers
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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) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CE Paper Submissions.................................... 1,400,000 1 30 700,000 * $40.21 ** $28,147,000
CE Electronic Submissions............................... 296,000 1 10 49,333 * 40.21 ** 1,983,680
CE Credentials.......................................... 4,000 1 15 1,000 * 40.21 ** 40,210
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Totals.............................................. 1,700,000 .............. .............. 750,333 .............. ** 30,170,890
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* 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).
(b) CE Appointment Letters and (c) CE Claimants' Report to Medical Providers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) CE Appointment Letters.............................. 880,000 1 5 73,333 * $10.73 ** $786,863
(c) CE Claimants' Report to Medical Providers........... 450,000 1 5 37,500 * 10.73 ** 402,375
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................................. 1,330,000 .............. .............. 110,833 .............. ** 1,189,238
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2020 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2020Fact%20Sheet.pdf).
(d) CE Claimant Telehealth CE Call Script/Letter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average burden Estimated total theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CE Claimant Telehealth Call Script/Letter......... 10,000 1 5 833 * $10.73 ** $8,938
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* We based this figure on average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2020 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2020Fact%20Sheet.pdf).
MER Collections
The DDS's collect MER information from the claimant's medical
sources to determine a claimant's physical or mental status prior to
making a disability determination.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper Submissions....................................... 3,150,000 1 20 1,050,000 * $40.21 ** $42,220,500
Electronic Submissions.................................. 9,450,000 1 12 1,890,000 * 40.21 ** 75,996,900
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................................. 12,600,000 .............. .............. 2,940,000 .............. ** 118,217,400
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* 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).
Pain/Other Symptoms/Impairment Information From Claimants
The DDS's use information about pain/symptoms to determine how
pain/symptoms affect the claimant's ability to do work-related
activities prior to making a disability determination.
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Average
Average Estimated theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of burden per total annual hourly cost opportunity cost
respondents response response burden (hours) amount (dollars) **
(minutes) (dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pain/Other Symptoms/Impairment Information............... 2,100,000 1 20 700,000 * $18.23 ** $12,761,000
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* We based this figure on averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2020 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2020Fact%20Sheet.pdf), and the average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm).
Grand Total
[[Page 79067]]
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Average
Average burden Estimated total theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden hourly cost opportunity cost
respondents response (minutes) (hours) amount (dollars) **
(dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.......................................... 17,740,000 ............... ............... 4,501,999 ............... ** $162,347,466
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** 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. Work History Report--20 CFR 404.1512, 416.912, 404.1560,
404.1565, 416.960 and 416.965--0960-0578. Under certain circumstances,
SSA asks individuals applying for disability about work they have
performed in the past. Applicants use Form SSA-3369, Work History
Report, to provide detailed information about jobs held prior to
becoming unable to work. State DDS evaluate the information, together
with medical evidence, to determine eligibility for disability
payments. Respondents are disability applicants and third parties
assisting applicants.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Average wait Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost time in field opportunity
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount office cost (dollars)
(dollars) * (minutes) ** ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-3369 (Paper form)................. 1,553,900 1 60 1,553,900 * $18.23 ** 24 *** $39,658,636
SSA-3369 (EDCS)....................... 38,049 1 60 38,049 * 18.23 ** 24 *** 971,094
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Totals............................ 1,591,949 .............. .............. 1,591,949 .............. .............. *** 40,629,730
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* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2020 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2020Fact%20Sheet.pdf), and the average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2020 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information data.
*** 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.
6. Teacher Questionnaire and Request for Administrative
Information--20 CFR 404.1513, 416.913, and 416.924a(a)--0960-0646. When
determining the effects of a child's impairment(s), SSA obtains
information about the child's functioning from teachers; parents; and
others who observe the child on a daily basis. SSA obtains results of
formal testing, teacher reports, therapy progress notes, individualized
education programs, and other records of a child's educational aptitude
and achievements using Forms SSA-5665-BK and SSA-5666. The respondents
are parents, teachers, and other education personnel.
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-5665-BK (electronic)................................ 246,539 1 40 164,359 * $26.14 ** $4,296,344
SSA-5666 (electronic)................................... 91,186 1 30 45,593 * 26.14 ** 1,191,801
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Totals.............................................. 337,725 .............. .............. 209,952 .............. ** 5,488,145
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* We based this figure on average Elementary and Secondary School worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes250000.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.
7. Medicare Part D Subsidies Regulations--20 CFR 418.3625(c),
418.3645, 418.3665(a), and 418.3670--0960-0702. The Medicare
Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003
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, 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 pertaining to administrative review
hearings. Respondents are applicants for the Medicare Part D subsidies
who request an administrative review hearing.
Type of Request: Revision of an existing 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) * ***
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418.3625(c)............................................. 110 1 5 9 ** $10.73 *** $97
418.3645................................................ 10 1 5 1 ** 10.73 *** 11
[[Page 79068]]
418.3665(a)............................................. 215 1 5 18 ** 10.73 *** 193
418.3670 *.............................................. 0 1 10 0 .............. ..............
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Total............................................... 335 .............. .............. 28 .............. *** 301
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* Regulation section 418.3670 could be used at any time; however, we currently have no data showing usage over the past three years.
** We based this figure on average DI payments (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2020Fact%20Sheet.pdf)
*** 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.
8. Electronic Records Express--20 CFR 404.1512 and 416.912--0960-
0753. Electronic Records Express (ERE) is a Web-based SSA program which
allows medical and educational providers to electronically submit
disability claimant data to SSA. Both medical providers and other third
parties with connections to disability applicants or recipients (e.g.,
teachers and school administrators for child disability applicants) use
this system once they complete the registration process. SSA employees
and State agency employees request the medical and educational records
collected through the ERE website. The agency uses the information
collected through ERE to make a determination on an Application for
Benefits. We also use the ERE website to order and receive consultative
examinations when we are unable to collect enough medical records to
determine disability findings. The respondents are medical providers
who evaluate or treat disability claimants or recipients, and other
third parties with connections to disability applicants or recipients
(e.g., teachers and school administrators for child disability
applicants), who voluntarily choose to use ERE for submitting
information.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average burden Estimated total theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ERE............................................... 6,183,548 1 10 1,030,591 * $33.18 ** $34,195,009
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* We based this figure by averaging both the average Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes290000.htm),
and Elementary and Secondary School worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes250000.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.
Dated: December 2, 2020.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-26871 Filed 12-7-20; 8:45 am]
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