[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 125 (Thursday, June 30, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39153-39157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13998]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No: SSA-2022-0030]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed 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 and one extension 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, 
Comments: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Submit your 
comments online referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-2022-0030].
    (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 https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-
2022-0030].
    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 
August 29, 2022. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection 
instruments by writing to the above email address.
    1. Application for Lump Sum Death Payment--20 CFR 404.390-404.392--
0960-0013. SSA uses Form SSA-8 to collect information needed to 
authorize payment of the lump sum death payment (LSDP) to a widow, 
widower, or children as defined in section 202(i) of the Social 
Security Act (Act). Respondents complete the application for this one-
time payment through use of the paper form, or personal interview with 
an SSA employee either via telephone, or in a field office. For all 
personal interviews (either telephone or in-person), we collect the 
information via our electronic Modernized Claim System (MCS) screens. 
When a respondent completes the paper Form SSA-8, they mail it back to 
SSA. Respondents are applicants for the LSDP.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                                         Average wait
                                                                            Average        Estimated        Average      time in field
                                           Number of     Frequency  of    burden per     total annual     theoretical    office or for    Total annual
        Modality of completion            respondents      response        response         burden        hourly cost     teleservice   opportunity cost
                                                                           (minutes)        (hours)         amount          centers       (dollars) ***
                                                                                                          (dollars) *    (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-8--(MCS Version)..................         733,254               1               9         109,988        * $28.01           ** 21   *** $10,269,222
SSA-8 -(Paper Version)................           5,747               1              10             958        * $28.01  ..............       *** $26,834
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals............................         739,001  ..............  ..............         110,946  ..............  ..............   *** $10,296,056
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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).
** We based this figure by averaging the average FY 2022 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, 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. Representative Payee Evaluation Report--20 CFR 404.2065 & 
416.665--0960-0069. Sections 205(j) and 1631(a)(2) of the Act state 
that SSA may authorize payment of Social Security benefits or 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments to a representative payee 
on behalf of individuals unable to manage, or direct the management of, 
those funds themselves. SSA requires certain appointed representative 
payees to report once each year on how they used or conserved those 
funds. Some representative payees, such as natural or adoptive parents 
of minor children or spouses of beneficiaries, are generally not 
required to complete this report. When a representative payee fails to 
adequately report to SSA, SSA conducts a face-to-face interview with 
the payee and completes Form SSA-624-F5, Representative Payee 
Evaluation Report, to determine the continued suitability of the 
representative payee to serve as a payee. In addition to interviewing 
the representative payee, we also interview the recipient, and 
custodian (if other than the payee), to confirm the information the 
payee provides, and to ensure the payee is meeting the recipient's 
current needs. However, we do not require the interviews to be face-to-
face with non-representative payees. The respondents are individuals or 
organizations serving as representative

[[Page 39154]]

payees for individuals receiving Title II benefits or Title XVI 
payments, and who fail to comply with SSA's statutory annual reporting 
requirement, and the recipients for whom they act as payee.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                         Average wait
                                                                            Average        Estimated        Average      time in field    Total annual
                                           Number of     Frequency  of    burden per     total annual     theoretical    office or for     opportunity
        Modality of completion            respondents      response        response         burden        hourly cost     teleservice    cost  (dollars)
                                                                           (minutes)        (hours)         amount          centers           ****
                                                                                                          (dollars) *      (minutes)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-624-F5 (Individuals)..............           6,537               1              30           3,269        * $28.01           ** 21     **** $155,652
SSA-624-F5 (State and Local                         38               1              30              19        * $21.58          *** 24         **** $734
 Government)..........................
SSA-624-F5 (Businesses)...............             263               1              30             132          $14.80          2*** 4       **** $3,508
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals............................           6,838  ..............  ..............           3,420  ..............  ..............    **** $159,894
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based these figures on the average U.S. worker's hourly wages (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm), State and Local Government Social and
  Human Services Assistants (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211093.htm), and Personal Care and Service Workers (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes399099.htm), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
** We based this figure by averaging the FY 2022 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, based on SSA's current management information
  data.
*** We based these figures on the average FY 2022 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.

    3. Application for Benefits Under the Italy-U.S. International 
Social Security Agreement--20 CFR 404.1925--0960-0445. As per the 
November 1, 1978 totalization agreement between the United States 
(U.S.) and Italian Social Security agencies, residents of Italy filing 
an application for U.S. Social Security benefits directly with one of 
the Italian Social Security agencies must complete Form SSA-2528-IT. 
SSA uses Form SSA-2528-IT to establish age, relationship, citizenship, 
marriage, death, military service, or to evaluate a family bible or 
other family record when determining eligibility for U.S. benefits. The 
Italian Social Security agencies assist applicants in completing Form 
SSA-2528-IT, and then forward the application to SSA for processing. 
The respondents are individuals living in Italy who wish to file for 
U.S. Social Security benefits.
    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 cost
                                                    respondents        response        (minutes)         (hours)           amount         (dollars) **
                                                                                                                        (dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-2528-IT.....................................             462                1               20              154           $28.01          ** $4,314
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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.

    4. Request for Social Security Statement--20 CFR 404.810--0960-
0466. Section 205(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires the Commissioner of SSA 
to establish and maintain records of wages paid to, and amounts of 
self-employment income derived by, each individual, as well as the 
periods in which such wages were paid, and such income derived. An 
individual may complete and mail Form SSA-7004 to SSA to obtain a 
Statement of Earnings or Quarters of Coverage, or they may access their 
statement online using my Social Security. SSA uses the information 
from Form SSA-7004 to identify a respondent's Social Security earnings 
records; extract posted earnings information; calculate potential 
benefit estimates; produce the resulting Social Security statements; 
and mail them to the requesters. The respondents are Social Security 
number holders requesting information about their Social Security 
earnings records and estimates of their potential benefits.
    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 cost
                                                    respondents        response        (minutes)         (hours)           amount         (dollars) **
                                                                                                                        (dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-7004........................................          32,936                1                5            2,745         * $28.01         ** $76,887
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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.

    5. Agency/Employer Government Pension Offset Questionnaire--20 CFR 
404.408(a)--0960-0470. When an individual is concurrently receiving 
Social Security spousal, or surviving spousal, benefits and a 
government pension, the individual may have the amount of Social 
Security benefits reduced by the government pension amount. This is the 
Government Pension Offset (GPO). SSA uses Form SSA-L4163 to collect 
accurate pension information from the Federal or State government 
agency paying the pension for purposes of applying the pension

[[Page 39155]]

offset provision. SSA uses this form only when (1) the claimant does 
not have the information; and (2) the pension-paying agency has not 
cooperated with the claimant. Respondents are State government 
agencies, which have information SSA needs to determine if the GPO 
applies, and the amount of offset.
    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 cost
                                                    respondents        response        (minutes)         (hours)           amount         (dollars) **
                                                                                                                        (dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-L4163.......................................           2,911                1                3              146         * $21.13         *** $3,085
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on the median hourly salary of State Agencies Information and Record Clerks hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor
  Statistics data (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.

    6. Beneficiary Recontact Report--20 CFR 404.703 & 404.705--0960-
0502. SSA investigates recipients of disability payments to determine 
their continuing eligibility for payments. Research indicates 
recipients may fail to report circumstances that affect their 
eligibility. Two such cases are: (1) when parents receiving disability 
benefits for their child marry; and (2) the removal of an entitled 
child from parents' care. SSA uses Form SSA-1588-SM to ask mothers or 
fathers about both their marital status and children under their care, 
to detect overpayments and avoid continuing payment to those are no 
longer entitled. Respondents are recipients of mothers' or fathers' 
Social Security benefits.
    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 cost
                                                    respondents        response        (minutes)         (hours)           amount         (dollars) **
                                                                                                                        (dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-1588-SM.....................................          72,565                1                5            6,047         * $28.01        ** $169,376
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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.

    7. Complaint Form for Allegations of Discrimination in Programs or 
Activities Conducted by the Social Security Administration--0960-0585. 
SSA uses Form SSA-437 to investigate and formally resolve complaints of 
discrimination based on disability, race, color, national origin 
(including limited English language proficiency), sex (including sexual 
orientation and gender identity), age, religion, or retaliation for 
having participated in a proceeding under this administrative complaint 
process in connection with an SSA program or activity. Individuals who 
believe SSA discriminated against them on any of the above bases may 
file a written complaint of discrimination. SSA uses the information 
to: (1) identify the complaint; (2) identify the alleged discriminatory 
act; (3) establish the date of such alleged action; (4) establish the 
identity of any individual(s) with information about the alleged 
discrimination; and (5) establish other relevant information that would 
assist in the investigation and resolution of the complaint. 
Respondents can submit the form or written complaint via mail or email. 
Respondents are individuals who believe SSA, or SSA employees, 
contractors, or agents, discriminated against them in connection with 
programs or activities conducted by SSA.
    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 cost
                                                    respondents        response        (minutes)         (hours)           amount         (dollars) **
                                                                                                                        (dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-437.........................................             500                1               60              500         * $19.86          ** $9,930
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2022 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2022factsheet.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).
** 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. Private Printing and Modification of Prescribed Application and 
Other Forms--20 CFR 422.527--0960-0663. 20 CFR 422.527 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations requires a person, institution, or organization 
(third-party entities) to obtain approval from SSA prior to 
reproducing, duplicating, or privately printing any application or 
other form the agency owns. To obtain SSA's approval, entities must 
make their requests in writing using their company letterhead, 
providing the required information set forth in the regulation. SSA 
uses the information to: (1) ensure requests comply with the law and 
regulations, and (2) process requests from third-party entities who 
want to reproduce, duplicate, or privately print any SSA application or 
other SSA form. SSA employees review the requests and provide approval 
via email or mail to the third-party entities. The respondents are 
third-party entities who submit a request to SSA to reproduce, 
duplicate, or privately print an SSA-owned form.

[[Page 39156]]

    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 cost
                                                    respondents        response        (minutes)         (hours)           amount         (dollars) **
                                                                                                                        (dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 CFR 422.527..................................              10               15               10               25         * $16.17            ** $404
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on the median hourly salary of third-party Personal Care and Service occupations hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor
  Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes390000.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.

    9. Technical Updates to Applicability of the Supplemental Security 
Income (SSI) Reduced Benefit Rate for Individuals Residing in Medical 
Treatment Facilities--20 CFR 416.708(k)--0960-0758. Section 
1611(e)(1)(A) of the Act specifies residents of public institutions are 
ineligible for SSI. However, Sections 1611(e)(1)(B) and (G) of the Act 
list certain exceptions to this provision, making it necessary for SSA 
to collect information about SSI recipients who enter or leave a 
medical treatment facility or other public or private institution. 
SSA's regulation 20 CFR 416.708(k) establishes the reporting guidelines 
that implement this legislative requirement. SSA uses this information 
collection to determine SSI eligibility or the benefit amount for SSI 
recipients who enter or leave institutions. SSA personnel collect this 
information directly from SSI recipients, or from someone reporting on 
their behalf. An SSI recipient who enters an institution may be unable 
to report; therefore, a family member sometimes makes this report on 
behalf of the recipient. When contacting SSA, the recipient, or family 
member of the recipient, provides the name of the institution, the date 
of admission, and the expected date of discharge. The respondents are 
SSI recipients who enter or leave an institution, or individuals 
reporting on their behalf.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                         Average        Average wait
                                                                    Average burden  Estimated total    theoretical        time for        Total annual
     Modality of completion         Number of       Frequency of     per response    annual burden     hourly cost      teleservice     opportunity cost
                                   respondents        response        (minutes)         (hours)           amount          centers        (dollars) ***
                                                                                                       (dollars) *      (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical Updates Statement/...         225,566                1                7           26,316         * $19.86            ** 19     *** $1,941,216
Institutional Residents Screens
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* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2022 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2022factsheet.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 2022 wait times for teleservice centers, 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.

    10. Statement for Determining Continuing Entitlement for Special 
Veterans Benefits (SVB)--0960-0782. Title VIII of the Act provides for 
the payment of Special Veterans benefits (SVB) to certain World War II 
veterans who reside outside of the U.S. SSA regularly reviews 
individuals' claims for SVB to determine their continued eligibility 
and correct payment amounts. Individuals living outside the U.S. 
receiving SVB must report to SSA any changes that may affect their 
benefits. These include changes such as: (1) a change in mailing 
address or residence; (2) an increase or decrease in a pension, 
annuity, or other recurring benefit; (3) a return or visit to the U.S. 
for a calendar month or longer; or (4) an inability to manage benefits. 
SSA uses Form SSA-2010-F6, to collect this information. All 
beneficiaries have face-to-face interviews with the Federal Benefits 
Unit (FBU) every year who assist them in completing this form. 
Respondents are SVB beneficiaries living outside the U.S. 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 cost
                                                    respondents        response        (minutes)         (hours)           amount         (dollars) **
                                                                                                                        (dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-2010-F6.....................................              85                1               20               28         * $28.01            ** $784
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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.

    11. Waiver of Supplemental Security Income Payment Continuation--20 
CFR 416.1400-416.1422--0960-0783. SSI recipients who wish to 
discontinue their SSI payments while awaiting a determination on their 
appeal complete Form SSA-263, Waiver of Supplemental Security Income 
Payment Continuation, to inform SSA of this decision. SSA collects the 
information to determine whether the SSI recipient meets the provisions 
of the Social Security Act regarding waiver of payment continuation and 
as proof respondents no longer want their payments to continue. 
Respondents are recipients of SSI payments who wish to discontinue

[[Page 39157]]

receipt of payment while awaiting a determination on their appeal.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                                        Average wait
                                                                                                         Average       time in field
                                    Number of       Frequency of    Average burden  Estimated total    theoretical       office or        Total annual
     Modality of completion        respondents        response       per response    annual burden     hourly cost      teleservice     opportunity cost
                                                                      (minutes)         (hours)           amount          centers        (dollars) ***
                                                                                                       (dollars) *      (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-263........................           3,676                1                5              306         * $11.70            ** 21        *** $18,638
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2022 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2022factsheet.pdf).
** We based this figure by averaging the average FY 2022 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, 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.


    Dated: June 27, 2022.
Faye I. Lipsky,
Director, Office of Regulations and Reports Clearance, Social Security 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022-13998 Filed 6-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P