[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 9, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24886-24889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07449]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No: SSA-2024-0010]


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 renewals and revisions of OMB-approved information 
collections, and one new collection for OMB-approval.
    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
(SSA), Social Security Administration, OLCA, Attn: Reports Clearance 
Director, Mail Stop 3253 Altmeyer, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 
21235, Fax: 833-410-1631, Email address: ssa.gov">OR.Reports.Clearance@ssa.gov

    Or you may submit your comments online through https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAmain by clicking on Currently under 
Review--Open for Public Comments and choosing to click on one of SSA's 
published items. Please reference Docket ID Number [SSA-2024-0010] in 
your submitted response.
    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 June 
10, 2024. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instruments 
by writing to the above email address.
    1. Supportive Housing & Individual Placement and Support (SHIPS) 
Study--0960-NEW.
    Background:
    Homelessness and unemployment are linked issues, with rising 
housing costs often leaving people unable to afford homes when combined 
with unemployment. The instability of housing makes finding employment 
even more challenging, creating a difficult cycle to break. While 
studies have shown that supportive housing programs improve housing 
stability, there is no significant evidence that such programs reliably 
increase employment among residents. Conversely, Individual Placement 
and Support (IPS), a proven method for supporting employment, has not 
demonstrated effectiveness in stabilizing housing. For the purposes of 
this study, we define supportive housing as housing services coupled 
with additional services that include case management support. These 
include: place-based permanent supportive housing, scattered site 
permanent supportive housing, and rapid rehousing.
    SSA is requesting clearance to collect data for the Supportive 
Housing and Individual Placement and Support (SHIPS) study, under the 
Interventional Cooperative Agreement Program (ICAP), to determine 
whether participation in Individual Placement and Support (IPS) 
improves the employment, income, health, and self-sufficiency of people 
who are recently homeless and living in supportive housing. 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. 
SSA awarded Westat a cooperative agreement to conduct SHIPS. In 
addition to SSA, Westat is partnering with three subrecipients for this 
project: (1) People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), (2) the University 
of Southern California (U.S.C.), and (3) the Research Foundation for 
Mental Hygiene (RFMH) to implement the SHIPS study.

ICAP SHIPS Study Project Description

    The SHIPS study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to 
determine whether participation in Individual Placement and Support 
(IPS) improves the employment, income, health, and self-sufficiency of 
people who are recently homeless and living in supportive housing. The 
SHIPS study will mark the first study testing the effectiveness of 
implementing IPS in a supportive housing program. SSA hypothesizes that 
combining the two most successful evidence-based practices that 
separately address homelessness and supported employment will yield a 
single intervention that effectively addresses both. The intent of the 
SHIPS study is to measure the effectiveness of evidence based IPS 
compared to the services provided by local WorkSource Centers broadly 
available to job seekers in the Los Angeles area, The housing case 
managers will refer PATH clients interested in finding employment and 
will randomly assign participants to one of two groups:
    (a) IPS: The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) service team 
will offer a range of structured services customized to participants' 
personal needs, preferences, and challenges related to

[[Page 24887]]

disabilities and/or mental health conditions. The New Hampshire-
Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center specifically designed the IPS as 
a supported employment model for individuals with serious mental 
illness and includes standardized training and fidelity requirements. 
Components of IPS that differ from those offered by WorkSource Services 
include integrated treatment that incorporates vocational and mental 
health services; benefits planning; and focus on rapid job search 
without extensive training.
    (b) WorkSource Centers: Under PATH's current housing model, housing 
case managers refer PATH clients who express interest in finding 
employment to local American Job Centers, known as WorkSource Centers 
in Los Angeles. The City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce 
Development Department, operates the WorkSource Center, and follow an 
employment services model that varies by WorkSource Center; is not 
evidence-based or subject to fidelity monitoring; and is not 
necessarily responsive to the individual needs of jobseekers with 
disabilities.
    The primary goals of the SHIPS study are:
     To measure the effects of IPS participation on employment, 
income, health, and long-term self-sufficiency measured as a 
combination of housing stability, income, and receipt of DI and SSI 
benefits.
     To describe the study population in order to understand 
both the general applicability of the study's findings and the 
potential reasons for the observed effects.
     To explore the IPS implementation process in supportive 
housing and identify the factors that make it successful or challenging 
to maintain high-quality implementation in the supportive housing 
context.
    Grantee researchers and SSA will use the information collected 
during this study to: (1) assess the short-term and long-term 
effectiveness of the proposed intervention to improve employment, 
income, and self-sufficiency; (2) understand the implementation process 
and (3) provide detailed subgroup-specific data related to the effect 
of IPS.
    The respondents are unemployed residents living in PATH-operated 
supportive housing units who are looking for employment.
    Type of Request: Request for a new information collection.

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                                                                                                                              Average wait      Total
                                                                                     Average     Estimated       Average     time in office     annual
                                             Number of    Frequency    Number of    burden per     total       theoretical       or for      opportunity
          Modality of completion            respondents  of response   responses     response      annual      hourly cost     teleservice       cost
                                                                                    (minutes)      burden        amount          centers      (dollars)
                                                                                                  (hours)      (dollars) *    (minutes) **       ***
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Study enrollees: baseline interview.......          200            1          200           60          200        * $13.30           ** 24   *** $3,724
Study enrollees: quarterly interviews.....          200            7        1,400           10          233         * 13.30           ** 21    *** 4,030
Study enrollees: final interview..........          200            1          200           60          200         * 13.30           ** 21    *** 3,724
PATH Interviews: Staff....................            5            1            5           60            5         * 32.05           ** 24      *** 224
SHIPS Interviews: enrollees...............            5            1            5           60            5         * 13.30           ** 24       *** 93
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals................................          610  ...........  ...........          250          643  ..............  ..............   *** 11,795
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* We based this figure on the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2024 data (2024FactSheet.pdf (ssa.gov)), and survey researchers (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193022.htm).
** We based this figure on averaging both the average FY 2024 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. Certification by Religious Group--20 CFR 404.1075--0960-0093. 
SSA is responsible for determining whether religious groups meet the 
qualifications exempting certain members and sects from payment of 
Self-Employment Contribution Act taxes under the Internal Revenue Code, 
Section 1402(g). SSA sends Form SSA-1458, Certification by Religious 
Group, to a group's authorized spokesperson to complete and verify 
organizational members meet or continue to meet the criteria for 
exemption. The respondents are spokespersons for religious groups or 
sects.
    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) *           **
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SSA-1458..........................................             142                1               15               35         * $31.48        ** $1,102
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* We based this figure on 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.

    3. Development of Participation in a Vocational Rehabilitation or 
Similar Program--20 CFR 404.316(c), 404.337(c), 404.352(d), 
404.1586(g), 404.1596, 404.1597(a), 404.327, 404.328, 416.1321(d), 
416.1331(a)-(b), and 416.1338, 416.1402--0960-0282. State Disability 
Determination Services (DDS) determine if Social Security disability 
payment recipients whose disability ceased and who participate in 
vocational rehabilitation programs may continue to receive disability 
payments. To do this, DDSs needs information about the recipients, the 
types of program participation, and the services they receive under the 
rehabilitation program. SSA uses Form SSA-4290 to collect this 
information. The respondents are State employment networks, vocational 
rehabilitation agencies, or other providers of educational or job 
training services.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

[[Page 24888]]



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                                                                                                              Average      Average wait
                                                                          Average burden     Estimated      theoretical    time in field   Total annual
         Modality of completion              Number of     Frequency of    per response    total annual     hourly cost    office phone     opportunity
                                            respondents      response        (minutes)    burden (hours)      amount      call (minutes)  cost (dollars)
                                                                                                            (dollars) *         **              ***
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SSA-4290-F5 (By mail)...................           2,400               1              40           1,600        * $21.27  ..............     *** $34,032
SSA-4290-F5 (Telephone).................             600               1              30             300         * 21.27           ** 19      *** 10,422
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..............................           3,000  ..............  ..............           1,900  ..............  ..............      *** 44,454
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* We based this figure on average Social and Human Service Assistant's hourly salary, as reported by Social and Human Service Assistants (bls.gov).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2024 wait times for field offices phone calls, 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.

    4. Filing Claims Under the Federal Tort Claims Act--20 CFR 429.101-
429.110--0960-0667. The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) is the mechanism 
for compensating people who Federal employees injured through negligent 
or wrongful acts that occurred during the performance of those 
employees' official duties. SSA accepts claims filed under the FTCA for 
damages against the United States; loss of property; personal injury; 
or death resulting from an SSA employee's wrongful act or omission. The 
various types of claims included under this information collection 
request require claimants to provide information SSA can use to 
determine whether to make an award, compromise, or settlement under the 
FTCA. The respondents are individuals or entities making a claim under 
the FTCA.
    Type of Request: Renewal of an OMB-approved information collection.

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                                                                                                                              Average
                                                                                          Average burden     Estimated      theoretical    Total annual
                  Regulation citations                       Number of     Frequency of    per response    total annual     hourly cost     opportunity
                                                            respondents      response        (minutes)    burden (hours)      amount      cost (dollars)
                                                                                                                           (dollars) **         ***
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429.102; 429.103 *......................................               1               1               1             \0\       ** $31.48          *** $0
429.104(a)..............................................               8               1              60               8        ** 31.48         *** 252
429.104(b)..............................................              30               1              60              30        ** 31.48         *** 944
429.104(c)..............................................               1               1              60               1        ** 31.48          *** 32
429.106(b)..............................................               1               1              60               1        ** 31.48          *** 32
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..............................................              41  ..............  ..............              40  ..............       *** 1,260
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* We are including a one-hour placeholder burden for 20 CFR 429.102 and 429.103, as respondents complete OMB-approved Form SF-95, OMB No. 1105-0008.
  Since the burden for these citations is covered under a separate OMB number, we are not double-counting the burden here.
** We based this figure on the average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (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. Internet and Telephone Appointment Applications--20 CFR 404.620-
404.630, 416.330-416.340--0960-0822. SSA offers both internet and 
Telephone appointment options for applicants or recipients who wish to 
request an appointment when they are unable to complete one of SSA's 
online or automated telephone applications because they failed the 
initial verification checks, or who state their reading language 
preference is other than English.
     iAppointment: iAppointment is an online process that 
allows members of the public an easy-to-use method to schedule an 
appointment with the servicing office of their choice. Since the 
application date can affect when a claimant's benefit begins, 
iAppointment establishes a protective filing date and provides 
respondents information related to the date by which they must file 
their actual application. The iAppointment application propagates 
information the applicant already entered onto any of SSA's internet 
applications for SSN, name, date of birth, and gender. However, 
applicants must provide minimal additional information: mailing 
address; telephone number; language preference; type of appointment 
(Disability, Retirement, Medicare); and whether they prefer a telephone 
interview or in-office appointment. iAppointment is a customer-centric 
application. If the available appointment times do not meet the 
customer's needs, iAppointment allows them to enter a different zip 
code to identify another field office, which may offer different 
appointment times. At this time, SSA only allows domestic first party 
applicants to use iAppointment. If users indicate they are filing as 
third parties, iAppointment provides a message directing them to call 
the National 800 Number for assistance. If a foreign first party user 
is unable to complete iClaim, iAppointment directs them to contact a 
Social Security representative, and provides a link to SSA's Service 
Around the World website.
     Enhanced Leads and Appointment System (eLAS)--eLAS is an 
Intranet-based version of the iAppointment screens for use by SSA 
technicians both in the field offices and call centers. eLAS interacts 
with iAppointment directly to ensure we always record the same 
information whether an individual requests an appointment through our 
internet screens, or via telephone. eLAS is a non-public facing system 
that allows SSA employees in the field offices, workload support units, 
and teleservice centers to use a telephone interview process to 
schedule appointments and document an individual's intent to file using 
a specific script and asking the same questions to each individual. We 
use eLAS with individuals who use our automated telephone system, or 
who prefer not to use iAppointment to set up their appointment.
    The respondents are individuals who are unable to use our internet 
or automated telephone systems because they failed the initial 
verification checks, or because they state their reading language 
preference is other than English.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

[[Page 24889]]



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                                                                                                                           Average
                                                                                                           Average      combined wait
                                                                       Average burden     Estimated      theoretical    time in field     Total annual
        Modality of completion            Number of     Frequency of    per response    total annual     hourly cost    office or for   opportunity cost
                                         respondents      response        (minutes)    burden (hours)      amount        teleservice     (dollars) ***
                                                                                                         (dollars) *       center
                                                                                                                        (minutes) **
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iAppointment.........................          20,965               1              10           3,494        * $31.48  ..............       *** $109,991
eLAS.................................       7,270,161               1              10       1,211,694         * 31.48           ** 21   **** 118,246,750
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals...........................       7,291,126  ..............  ..............       1,215,188  ..............  ..............    *** 118,356,741
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* We based these figures on average U.S. worker's hourly wages (based on BLS.gov data, (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm).
** We based this figure on the combined average FY 2024 wait times for field offices (approximately 24 minutes per respondent) and teleservice centers
  (approximately 17 minutes per respondent), 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: April 3, 2024.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-07449 Filed 4-8-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P