[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 12, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9488-9491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02549]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA-2025-0003]
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 a revisions and extensions 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
(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: [email protected]
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-2025-0003] in
your submitted response.
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
April 14, 2025. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection
instruments by writing to the above email address.
1. Statement of Claimant or Other Person--20 CFR 404.702 &
416.570--0960-0045. SSA uses Form SSA-795 in special situations where
there is no authorized form or questionnaire, yet we require a signed
statement from the applicant, claimant, or other individuals who have
knowledge of facts, in connection with claims for Social Security
benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The information we
request on the SSA-795 is of sufficient importance that we need both a
signed statement and a penalty clause. SSA uses this information to
process, in addition to claims for benefits, issues about continuing
eligibility; ongoing benefit amounts; use of funds by a representative
payee; fraud investigation; and a myriad of other program-related
matters. The most common respondents are applicants for Social
Security, SSI, or recipients of these programs. However, respondents
also include friends and relatives of the involved parties, coworkers,
neighbors, or anyone else in a position to provide information
pertinent to the issue(s).
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average wait
Average Estimated Average time in field Total annual
Number of Frequency burden per total theoretical office or opportunity
Modality of completion respondents of response response annual hourly cost telephone wait cost (dollars)
(minutes) burden amount time (minutes) ***
(hours) (dollars) * **
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SSA-795 Paper.......................................... 154,318 1 15 38,580 * $22.39 ** 23 *** $2,188,287
SSA-795 (SSI CCE Interviews)........................... 22,516 1 15 5,629 * 22.39 ** 19 *** 285,674
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[[Page 9489]]
Totals............................................. 176,834 ........... ........... 44,208 ........... .............. *** 2,473,961
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* We based this figure on an average of the average DI payments based on SSA's current data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.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 these figures on the average FY 2025 wait times for field offices (23 minutes) and teleservice centers (19 minutes), 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. Request for Reconsideration--Disability Cessation--20 CFR
404.909, 404.1597(b), 416.995, & 416.1409--0960-0349. When SSA
determines that claimants' disabilities medically improved, ceased; or
are no longer sufficiently disabling, these claimants may ask SSA to
reconsider that determination. SSA uses Form SSA-789 to arrange for a
hearing or prepare a decision based on the evidence of record.
Specifically, claimants or their representatives use Form SSA-789 to:
(1) ask SSA to reconsider a determination, (2) indicate if they wish to
appear at a disability hearing, (3) submit any additional information
or evidence for use in the reconsidered determination, and (4) indicate
if they will need an interpreter for the hearing. The respondents are
disability claimants for Social Security benefits or Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) payments who wish to appeal an unfavorable
disability cessation determination.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average Estimated theoretical Average wait Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of burden per total annual hourly cost time in field opportunity
respondents response response burden amount office cost (dollars)
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (minutes) ** ***
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SSA-789......................................... 72,796 1 10 12,133 * $13.30 ** 23 *** $532,505
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* We based this figure on an average of the average DI payments based on SSA's current data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.pdf).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2025 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. Travel Expense Reimbursement--20 CFR 404.999(d) and 416.1499--
0960-0434. The Social Security Act (Act) provides for travel expense
reimbursement from Federal and State agencies for claimant travel
incidental to medical examinations, and to parties, their
representatives, and all reasonably necessary witnesses for travel
exceeding 75 miles to attend medical examinations, reconsideration
interviews and proceedings before an administrative law judge.
Reimbursement procedures require the claimant to provide: (1) a list of
expenses incurred; and (2) receipts of such expenses. Federal and state
personnel review the listings and receipts to verify the reimbursable
amount to the requestor. The respondents are claimants for Title II
benefits and Title XVI payments, their representatives, and witnesses.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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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 (dollars)
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (minutes) ** ***
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404.999(d) & 416.1499........................... 60,000 1 10 10,000 * $22.39 ** 23 *** $738,870
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* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.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 2025 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.
4. Permanent Residence in the United States Under Color of Law
(PRUCOL)--20 CFR 416.1615 and 416.1618--0960-0451. Under 20 CFR
416.1415 and 416.1618 of the Code of Federal Regulations (Code), SSA
requires claimants or recipients to submit evidence of their alien
status when they apply for SSI payments, and periodically thereafter as
part of the eligibility determination process for SSI. When SSA cannot
verify evidence of
[[Page 9490]]
alien status through the regular claimant interview process, SSA
verifies the validity of the evidence of PRUCOL for grandfathered
nonqualified aliens with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
using the DHS Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE)
program. SSA determines if the individual qualifies for PRUCOL status
based on the SAVE program response. SSA does not maintain any forms or
applications for respondents to use, rather, the regulations listed in
20 CFR 416.1615 and 416.1618 specify the information respondents need
to submit to SSA to show evidence of PRUCOL. Without this information,
SSA is unable to determine whether the PRUCOL individual is eligible
for SSI payments. Respondents are qualified and unqualified aliens who
apply for SSI payments under PRUCOL.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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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
responses response response burden amount office cost (dollars)
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (minutes) ** ***
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Personal Interview.............................. 1,049 1 5 87 * $31.48 ** 23 *** $15,394
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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#00-0000).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2025 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.
5. Internet Request for Replacement of Forms SSA-1099/SSA-1042S--20
CFR 401.45--0960-0583. Title II beneficiaries use Forms SSA-1099 and
SSA-1042S, Social Security Benefit Statement, to determine if their
Social Security benefits are taxable, and the amount they need to
report to the Internal Revenue Service. In cases where the original
forms are unavailable (e.g., lost, stolen, mutilated), an individual
may use SSA's automated telephone application to request a replacement
SSA-1099 and SSA-1042. SSA uses the information from the automated
telephone requests to verify the identity of the requestor and to
provide replacement copies of the forms. SSA accepts information in
other ways including via our mySocial Security portal (for which we
collect no data after the authentication we collect under OMB No. 0960-
0789), in person, and through the National 800 Number Network (N8NN).
However, the automated telephone option reduces requests to the N8NN
and visits to local Social Security field offices (FO). The respondents
are Title II beneficiaries who wish to request a replacement SSA-1099
or SSA-1042S via telephone.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Estimated Average Average wait
Average total theoretical time for Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency burden per annual hourly cost teleservice opportunity
respondents of response response burden amount centers cost (dollars)
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (minutes) ** ***
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Automated Telephone Requests........................... 316,000 1 6 31,600 * $31.48 ** 19 *** $4,144,877
N8NN................................................... 497,778 1 3 24,889 * 31.48 ** 19 *** 5,745,698
Calls to local field offices........................... 848,444 1 3 42,422 * 31.48 ** 19 *** 9,793,302
Other (program service centers)........................ 41,640 1 3 2,082 * 31.48 ** 21 *** 524,331
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Totals............................................. 1,419,462 ........... ........... 100,993 ........... .............. *** 20,208,208
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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).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2025 wait times for SSA Teleservice centers (19 minutes) and field offices (23 minutes), 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. Protecting the Public and Our Personnel to Ensure Operational
Effectiveness (RIN 0960-AH35), Regulation 3729I--20 CFR 422.905 and
422.906--0960-0796. SSA published regulations for the process we follow
when we restrict individuals from receiving in-person services in our
field offices and provide them, instead, with alternative services. We
published these rules to create a safer environment for our personnel
and members of the public who use our facilities, while ensuring we
continue to serve the American people with as little disruption to our
operations as possible. Under our regulations at 20 CFR 422.905 of the
Code, an individual for whom we restrict access to our facilities has
the opportunity to appeal our decision within 60 days of the date of
the restrictive access and alternative service notice. To appeal,
restricted individuals must submit a written request via mail stating
why they believe SSA should rescind the restriction and allow them to
conduct business with us on a face-to-face basis in one of our offices.
There is no printed form for this request; rather, restricted
individuals create their own written statement of appeal, and submit it
to a sole decision-maker in the regional office of the region where the
restriction originated. The individuals may also provide additional
documentation to support their appeal. Under 20 CFR 422.906 of the
Code, if the individual does not appeal the decision within the 60
days, if we restricted the individual prior to the effective date of
this regulation, or if the appeal results in a denial, the individual
has another opportunity to request review of the restriction after a
three-year period. To submit this request for review, restricted
individuals may re-submit a written appeal of the decision. The same
criteria
[[Page 9491]]
apply as for the original appeal: (1) it must be in writing; (2) it
must be sent to a sole decision-maker in the regional office of the
region where the restriction originated for review; and (3) it may
accompany supporting documentation. We make this periodic review
available to all restricted individuals once every three years.
Respondents for this collection are individuals appealing their
restrictions from in-person services at SSA field offices.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Estimated Average
Average total theoretical Total annual
Regulation section Number of Frequency burden per annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents of response response burden amount cost (dollars)
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * **
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20 CFR 422.905.............. 75 1 15 19 * $22.39 ** $425
20 CFR 422.906.............. 75 1 20 25 * 22.39 ** 560
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Totals.................. 150 ........... ........... 44 .............. ** 885
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* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.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 claimants 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. Social Security Administration Health IT Partner Program
Assessment--Participating Facilities and Available Content Form--20 CFR
404.1614 and 416.1014--0960-0798. The Health Information Technology for
Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act promotes the adoption and
meaningful use of health information technology (IT), particularly in
the context of working with government agencies. Similarly, Section
3004 of the Public Health Service Act requires health care providers or
health insurance issuers with government contracts to implement,
acquire, or upgrade their health IT systems and products to meet
adopted standards and implementation specifications. To support
expansion of SSA's health IT initiative as defined under HITECH, SSA
developed Form SSA-680, the Health IT Partner Program Assessment--
participating Facilities and Available Content Form. The SSA-680 allows
healthcare providers to provide the information that SSA needs to
determine their ability to exchange health information with us
electronically. We evaluate potential partners (i.e., healthcare
providers and organizations) on: (1) the accessibility of health
information they possess; and (2) the content value of their electronic
health records' systems for our disability adjudication processes. SSA
reviews the completeness of organizations' SSA-680 responses as one
part of our careful analysis of their readiness to enter a health IT
partnership with us. The respondents are healthcare providers and
organizations exchanging information with the agency.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average Estimated theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of burden per total annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents response response burden amount cost (dollars)
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * **
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SSA-680....................................................... 10 1 800 133 * $49.07 ** $6,526
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* We based these figures on average Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes290000.htm).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
respondents to complete the application.
Dated: February 2, 2025.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2025-02549 Filed 2-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P