[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 250 (Friday, December 30, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80574-80577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28433]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No: SSA-2022-0067]


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 and one new 
collection.
    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-2022-0067].
    (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-
2022-0067].
    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 
February 28, 2023. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection 
instruments by writing to the above email address.
    1. Vocational Resource Facilitator Demonstration--0960-NEW. SSA is 
undertaking the Vocational Resource Facilitator Demonstration (VRFD) 
under the Interventional Cooperative Agreement Program (ICAP). ICAP 
allows SSA to partner with various non-federal groups and organizations 
to advance interventional research connected to the Supplemental 
Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) 
programs. VRFD will test the Vocational Resource Facilitator (VRF) 
intervention, which helps newly injured spinal cord injury or disease 
(SCI) or brain injury (BI) patients pursue their employment goals. The 
VRFD will provide empirical evidence on the impact of the intervention 
on patients in several critical areas: (1) employment and earnings; (2) 
SSI and SSDI benefit receipt; and (3) satisfaction and well-being. A 
rigorous evaluation of VRFD is critical to help SSA and other 
interested parties assess promising options to improve employment-
related outcomes and decrease benefit receipt. The VRFD evaluation uses 
a randomized control experimental design that includes one treatment 
group and one control group. Control group members will receive a 
referral for services to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 
Services (DVRS), New Jersey's state Vocational Rehabilitation agency. 
The treatment group will receive a referral to DVRS and employment 
services from a resource facilitator (RF). RFs are fully integrated 
members of clinical teams who engage with injured workers during 
inpatient rehabilitation about return to work. The central research 
questions include:
     Was the intervention implemented as planned?
     What are key considerations for scaling up or adopting the 
VRF model at other facilities?
     What were the impacts of VRF on outcomes of interest?
     Did treatment group members earn or work more than control 
group members?
     Were treatment group members relatively less likely to 
apply to or receive SSI or SSDI benefits?
     Did treatment group members experience greater 
satisfaction and well-being than control group members?
     What were the benefits and costs of the demonstration 
across key groups?
    The proposed public survey data collections will support three 
components of the planned implementation, impact, and benefit-cost 
analyses. The data collection efforts will provide information that is 
not available in SSA program records about the characteristics and 
outcomes of VRFD participants in the treatment and control groups. 
Respondents are newly injured SCI and BI patients, who will provide 
written consent before agreeing to participate in the study and be 
randomly assigned to one of the study groups.
    Type of Request: Request for a new information collection.

[[Page 80575]]



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                                                                                                                           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
                                                                             (minutes)        (hours)         amount          centers      (dollars) ***
                                                                                                            (dollars) *    (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Informed Consent Form...................             500               1              10              83        * $28.01           ** 21      *** $7,227
Baseline Survey.........................             500               1              15             125         * 28.01           ** 21       *** 8,403
12-month Follow-up Survey...............             400               1              20             133         * 28.01           ** 21       *** 7,647
Staff Interviews with Site Staff........              10               2              66              22         * 28.01           ** 21         *** 728
Onsite Audit of sample of case files....               1               2              30               1         * 28.01           ** 21          *** 28
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..............................           1,411  ..............  ..............             364  ..............  ..............      *** 24,033
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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. Application for a Social Security Number Card, the Social 
Security Number Application Process (SSNAP), and internet SSN 
Replacement Card (iSSNRC) Application--20 CFR 422.103-422.110--0960-
0066.
    SSA collects information on the SS-5 (used in the United States) 
and SS-5-FS (used outside the United States) to issue original or 
replacement Social Security cards. SSA also enters the application data 
into the SSNAP application when issuing a card via telephone or in 
person. In addition, hospitals collect the same information on SSA's 
behalf for newborn children through the Enumeration-at-Birth process. 
In this process, parents of newborns provide hospital birth 
registration clerks with information required to register these 
newborns. Hospitals send this information to State Bureaus of Vital 
Statistics (BVS), and they send the information to SSA's National 
Computer Center. SSA then uploads the data to the SSA mainframe along 
with all other enumeration data, and we assign the newborn a Social 
Security number (SSN) and issue a Social Security card. Respondents can 
also use these modalities to request a change in their SSN records. In 
addition, the iSSNRC internet application collects information similar 
to the paper SS-5 for no-change, and a name change due to marriage, 
replacement SSN cards for adult U.S. citizens. The iSSNRC modality 
allows certain applicants for SSN replacement cards to complete the 
internet application and submit the required evidence online rather 
than completing a paper Form SS-5. Finally, oSSNAP collects information 
similar to that which we collect on the paper SS-5 for no change 
situations, with the exception of a name change. oSSNAP allows 
applicants, both U.S. citizens and non-citizens, for new or replacement 
SSN cards to start the application process on-line, receive a list of 
evidentiary documents, and then submit the application data to SSA for 
further processing by SSA employees. Applicants need to visit a local 
SSA office to complete the application process. We are planning to make 
minor changes to clarify that one screen is optional, and to provide a 
space for respondents to inform SSA of the types of documents they will 
present during the in-person follow up meeting. The respondents for 
this information collection are applicants for original and replacement 
Social Security cards, or individuals who wish to change information in 
their SSN records, who use any of the modalities described above.
    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) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EAB Modality:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hospital staff who relay the State          3,759,517               1               5         313,293        * $24.49            ** 0     *** $7,672,546
 birth certificate information to the
 BVS and SSA through the EAB process.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
iSSNRC Modality:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adult U.S. Citizens requesting a            3,002,698               1               5         250,225         * 28.01            ** 0      *** 7,008,802
 replacement card with no changes
 through the iSSNRC..................
Adult U.S. Citizens requesting a                1,312               1               5             109         * 28.01            ** 0          *** 3,053
 replacement card with a name change
 through iSSNRC......................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
oSSNAP Modality:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adult U.S. Citizens providing                 822,104               1               5          68,509         * 28.01           ** 24     *** 11,129,802
 information to receive a replacement
 card through the oSSNAP\+\..........
Adult U.S. Citizens providing                  37,323               1               5           3,110         * 28.01            * 24        *** 505,272
 information to receive an original
 card through the oSSNAP\+\..........

[[Page 80576]]

 
Adult Non-U.S. Citizens providing              84,635               1               5           7,053         * 28.01           ** 24      *** 1,145,805
 information to receive a replacement
 card through the oSSNAP\+\..........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSNAP/SS-5 Modality:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Respondents who do not have to              6,973,505               1               9       1,046,026         * 28.01           ** 24   **** 107,430,338
 provide parents' SSNs...............
Respondents whom we ask to provide            207,521               1               9          31,128         * 28.01           ** 24      *** 3,196,949
 parents' SSNs (when applying for
 original SSN cards for children
 under age 12).......................
Applicants age 12 or older who need         1,113,144               1              10         185,524         * 28.01           ** 24     *** 17,668,204
 to answer additional questions so
 SSA can determine whether we
 previously assigned an SSN..........
Applicants asking for a replacement             6,703               1              60           6,703         * 28.01           ** 24        *** 262,846
 SSN card beyond the allowable limits
 (i.e., who must provide additional
 documentation to accompany the
 application)........................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enumeration Quality Review:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorization to SSA to obtain                    500               1              15             125         * 28.01           ** 24          *** 9,103
 personal information cover letter...
Authorization to SSA to obtain                    500               1              15             125         * 28.01           ** 24          *** 9,103
 personal information follow-up cover
 letter..............................
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Total:
    Totals...........................      16,213,543  ..............  ..............       1,928,937  ..............  ..............    *** 159,309,973
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\+\ The number of respondents for this modality is an estimate based on google analytics data for the SS-5 form downloads from SSA.Gov.
* We based this figure on average Hospital Records Clerks (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292098.htm), and average U.S. worker's hourly wages
  (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm) as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
** We based this figure 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.

    II. SSA submitted the information collection below to OMB for 
clearance. Your comments regarding this information collection 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 30, 2023. Individuals can obtain copies of this 
OMB clearance package by writing to [email protected].
    Advance Designation of Representative Payee--0960-0814. On April 
13, 2018, the President signed into law The Strengthening Protections 
for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018, also known as Public Law 
(Pub. L.) 115-165. Section 201 of the law allows SSA beneficiaries and 
applicants under title II, title VIII, and title XVI of the Social 
Security Act to designate individuals to serve as a representative 
payee should the need arise in the future. Section 201(j)(2) of Public 
Law 115-165 provides the requirements for selecting a qualified 
representative payee. SSA only offers the option to advance designate 
to capable adults and emancipated minors. Beneficiaries who have an 
assigned representative payee, or have a representative application in 
process, cannot advance designate. Form SSA-4547, Advance Designation 
of Representative Payee (ADRP), allows beneficiaries or applicants the 
option to designate individuals in order of priority, to serve as a 
representative. Beneficiaries or applicants can update or change the 
advance designee order of priority at any time. SSA uses the 
information on Form SSA-4547 to select a qualified representative payee 
in order of priority. If the selected representative payee is unable or 
unwilling to serve, or meet SSA requirements, SSA will select another 
representative payee to serve in the beneficiaries and applicant's best 
interest. SSA will notify beneficiaries annually of the individuals 
they chose in advance to be their representative payee. The respondents 
are SSA beneficiaries and claimants who want to choose an advance 
designate representative.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

                                                            Submission of Advance Designation
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                                                                                                              Average
                                                                              Average        Estimated      theoretical    Average  wait   Total annual
         Modality of completion              Number of     Frequency of     burden per     total annual     hourly cost   time in  field    opportunity
                                            respondents      response        response         burden          amount          office           cost
                                                                             (minutes)        (hours)      (dollars) **    (minutes) ***  (dollars) ****
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intranet version (Paper Form SSA-4547,         * 473,052               1               6          47,305       ** $19.86          *** 24            ****
 SSI Claims System, MCS, iMain).........                                                                                                      $4,697,406
Internet version (mySSA)................         327,101               1               6          32,710        ** 19.86  ..............    **** 649,621
Internet version (iClaim)...............         827,257               1               6          82,726        ** 19.86  ..............  **** 1,642,938
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 80577]]

 
    Totals..............................       1,627,410  ..............  ..............         162,741  ..............  ..............  **** 6,989,965
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* SSA enters advance designation information we receive on the paper Form SSA-4547 in the ADRP system using one of the Intranet applications.
  Accordingly, we have included the paper form responses in this figure for Intranet responses.
** 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 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.


                                                              Waiver of Advance Designation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              Average
                                                                              Average        Estimated      theoretical    Average  wait   Total annual
         Modality of completion              Number of     Frequency of     burden per     total annual     hourly cost   time in  field    opportunity
                                            respondents      response        response         burden          amount          office           cost
                                                                             (minutes)        (hours)      (dollars) **    (minutes) ***  (dollars) ****
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intranet version (Paper Form SSA-4547,           394,493               1               2          13,150       ** $19.86          *** 24            ****
 SSI Claims System, MCS, iMain).........                                                                                                      $3,395,007
Internet version (mySSA)................         262,996               1               2           8,767        ** 19.86  ..............    **** 174,113
Internet version (iClaim)...............         657,489               1               2          21,916        ** 19.86  ..............    **** 435,252
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..............................       1,314,978  ..............  ..............          43,833  ..............  ..............  **** 4,004,372
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** 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 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.


                                                                      Grant Totals
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           Average
                                                                           Average        Estimated      theoretical    Average  wait     Total annual
        Modality of completion            Number of     Frequency of     burden per     total annual     hourly cost   time in  field  opportunity  cost
                                         respondents      response        response         burden          amount          office        (dollars) ****
                                                                          (minutes)        (hours)      (dollars) **    (minutes) ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals...............................       2,942,388  ..............  ..............         206,574  ..............  ..............   **** $10,994,337
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** 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 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.


    Dated: December 27, 2022.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022-28433 Filed 12-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P