[The Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations]
[Social Security Administration Regulatory Plan]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]


SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA)

Statement of Regulatory Priorities
The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the retirement, 
survivors, and disability insurance programs under title II of the 
Social Security Act (the Act), and the supplemental security income 
(SSI) program under title XVI of the Act. For the most part, SSA's 
regulations do not impose burdens on the private sector or on State or 
local governments. Its regulations codify the requirements for 
entitlement to benefits under its programs.
SSAs five entries for The Regulatory Plan represent areas of major 
importance in benefit program administration. The first entry, Revised 
Medical Criteria for Determination of Disability; Musculoskeletal 
System, furthers the agency priority to improve our disability 
determination procedures. Musculoskeletal listings of impairments will 
be updated to make them consistent with the latest advances in 
medicine. Updated listings will facilitate making the correct 
disability determination as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Effective stewardship of social security programs requires mechanisms 
to assure that benefits are used to meet the needs of beneficiaries who 
are not able to manage their own benefits due to legal incompetence or 
medical infirmity. The law requires that benefits be paid to a 
representative payee on behalf of the beneficiary in such 
circumstances. Two of SSA's regulatory plan entries, Representative 
Payment Reforms and Representative Payment Provisions for Individuals 
Based on Drug Addiction and Alcoholism, carry out recent legislative 
provisions to assure program integrity through payment to 
representative payees.
In response to the Reinventing Government initiative to create a 
Federal Government that works better and costs less, SSA lists two 
regulatory initiatives. Cycling Payment of Social Security Benefits for 
future beneficiaries is designed to pay social security benefits on 
several payment dates each month instead of making all the payments on 
the same date, as is current practice. The current use of one payment 
date creates a workload spike each month for SSA, for other Federal 
agencies, for financial institutions, and other businesses that 
participate in or depend on issuance of social security benefits. It 
has become exceedingly difficult for customers to access SSA services 
on or around ``check day.'' Spreading the issuance of benefit payments 
throughout the month and reducing workload spikes for SSA and others 
will result in better service to our customers. As a result, customers 
will have better access to SSA personnel and services in field 
facilities and through use of SSA's national 800 number teleservice 
network. Current beneficiaries can expect to continue to receive their 
benefit payments on the third of each month. The additional payment 
dates will be assigned to new beneficiaries as their benefit awards are 
processed.
The second entry related to a Reinventing Government initiative is 
Provide ``One-Stop'' Service to Aliens Applying for Social Security 
Cards. The goal of this initiative is to coordinate services to 
customers who, under current procedures, must deal with multiple 
Federal agencies to establish their status as alien residents of the 
United States. The proposed regulatory authority would support a pilot 
project with INS whereby it would transmit data to SSA electronically 
so that SSA can issue social security numbers to certain resident 
aliens.
Consistent with the President's Regulatory Reinvention Initiative, SSA 
is working diligently to improve program benefit regulations and to 
develop partnerships with large segments of the community of 
stakeholders interested in Social Security programs. The partnerships 
are expected to contribute to the successful development of SSA 
regulatory plan entries.
_______________________________________________________________________
SSA

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                          PROPOSED RULE STAGE

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148. FEDERAL OASDI AND SSI FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED; 
REPRESENTATIVE PAYMENT PROVISIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS DISABLED BASED ON 
DRUG ADDICTION OR ALCOHOLISM (507P)
Priority:


Other Significant


Reinventing Government:


This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing Government effort. It will 
revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or duplication, or streamline 
requirements.


Legal Authority:


 PL 103-296, sec 201; 42 USC 405; 42 USC 1302; 42 USC 1383


CFR Citation:


 20 CFR 404.2001; 20 CFR 404.2010; 20 CFR 404.2021; 20 CFR 404.2040; 20 
CFR 404.2040a; 20 CFR 404.2053; 20 CFR 416.621; 20 CFR 416.640; 20 CFR 
416.640a; 20 CFR 416.655


Legal Deadline:


None


Abstract:


We propose to revise our regulations to extend the representative payee 
requirement, which now applies only to recipients of supplemental 
security income (SSI) benefit payments, to Social Security disability 
insurance (DI) beneficiaries whose drug addiction or alcoholism is 
material to a finding of disability.


Statement of Need:


These regulations are needed to implement the representative payment 
requirements of the Social Security Independence and Program 
Improvements Act of 1994.


Summary of the Legal Basis:


Section 2 of P.L. 103-296 extends the representative payee requirement, 
which now applies only to supplemental security income recipients, to 
Social Security disability insurance beneficiaries.


Alternatives:


None


Anticipated Costs and Benefits:


Effective stewardship of SSA programs requires mechanisms to assure 
that benefits are used to meet the needs of beneficiaries who are not 
able to manage their own benefits due to legal incompetence or medical 
infirmity. As part of the Social Security Improvements Act of 1994 
Congress determined that individuals who receive social security 
disability insurance benefits whose drug addiction or alcoholism is 
material to the finding of disability must have representative payees. 
Preliminary estimates are that these regulations will have no effect on 
SSA program costs. Any administrative costs are part of legislative 
implementation and further our program integrity efforts.


Risks:


Since basically all these regulations do is implement the statute, we 
see no risks associated with them.


Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________
Action                                 DFR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________
NPRM                                                           10/00/95
Final Action                                                   09/00/96
Small Entities Affected:


Governmental Jurisdictions, Organizations


Government Levels Affected:


State


Agency Contact:
Harry J. Short
Legal Assistant
Social Security Administration
Division of Regulations and Rulings
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
Phone: 410 965-6243
RIN: 0960-AD98
_______________________________________________________________________
SSA
149.  CYCLING PAYMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS (558P)
Priority:


Economically Significant


Reinventing Government:


This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing Government effort. It will 
revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or duplication, or streamline 
requirements.


Legal Authority:


 42 USC 405(a); 42 USC 407; 42 USC 902(a)(5); 42 USC 401(j); 42 USC 
405(b); 42 USC 405(d) to 405(h); 42 USC 421(d); 42 USC 405(i); 42 USC 
909


CFR Citation:


 20 CFR 404.1805; 20 CFR 404.903


Legal Deadline:


None


Abstract:


This Reinventing Government initiative would result in staggered 
payment to new beneficiaries over a number of payment dates throughout 
the month to eliminate workload spikes and allow the Social Security 
Administration to provide better customer service without adding staff. 
Current beneficiaries and all Supplemental Security Income recipients 
will be unaffected by these regulatory changes.


Statement of Need:


This regulation is necessary to implement a Reinventing Government 
initiative.


Summary of the Legal Basis:


These changes are not required by statute or court order.


Alternatives:


None


Anticipated Costs and Benefits:


Payment cycling is proposed as both an immediate and long-term strategy 
to help the Agency improve service and better manage its resources. By 
leveling workloads, it will allow the public better access to SSA's 
field office and toll-free 800 number services. While the proposed 
change in payment patterns may result in some incidental savings from 
management and operational efficiencies, cycling is not expected to 
produce significant workyear savings. Cycling will benefit the business 
and banking communities in that they will be better able to utilize 
their resources throughout the month to serve their customers. Cycling 
will reduce the risk to the Federal government, the financial 
community, and to beneficiaries by reducing the volume of financial 
transactions passing through the payment system at any one time in the 
month.


Risks:


This change in payment cycling, which will affect new beneficiaries who 
file claims, should pose no risks to our claimant population.


Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________
Action                                 DFR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________
NPRM                                                           11/00/95
Final Action                                                   05/00/96
Small Entities Affected:


Businesses


Government Levels Affected:


Federal


Agency Contact:
Lois Berg
Legal Assistant
Social Security Administration
Division of Regulations and Rulings
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
Phone: 410 965-1713
RIN: 0960-AE31
_______________________________________________________________________
SSA
150.  PROVIDE ``ONE-STOP'' SERVICE FOR ALIENS APPLYING FOR 
SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS (569P)
Priority:


Other Significant


Reinventing Government:


This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing Government effort. It will 
revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or duplication, or streamline 
requirements.


Legal Authority:


 42 USC 405; 42 USC 1383


CFR Citation:


 Not yet determined


Legal Deadline:


None


Abstract:


Aliens will apply for Social Security cards at the same time they 
complete Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) paperwork. 
Currently, alien applicants are required to furnish almost the same 
information to both SSA and INS. This one-stop service will reduce the 
potential for issuing Social Security cards based on fraudulent INS 
documents, and will result in efficiencies for the Government.


Statement of Need:


This regulation is necessary to implement a Reinventing Government 
initiative.


Summary of the Legal Basis:


These changes are not required by statute or court order.


Alternatives:


Not yet determined


Anticipated Costs and Benefits:


While the full impact of this change has not yet been determined, it is 
expected to reduce fraud based on false INS documents and to result in 
efficiencies for the Government of approximately $18 million over 5 
years.


Risks:


At this time we have not identified any risks associated with the 
proposal.


Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________
Action                                 DFR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________
NPRM                                                           07/00/96
Final Action Effective                                         09/00/96
Small Entities Affected:


None


Government Levels Affected:


Federal


Agency Contact:
Martin Sussman
Legal Assistant
Social Security Administration
Division of Regulations and Rulings
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
Phone: 410 965-1767
RIN: 0960-AE36
_______________________________________________________________________
SSA

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                            FINAL RULE STAGE

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151. OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE PROGRAM; REVISED 
MEDICAL CRITERIA FOR DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY; MUSCULOSKELETAL 
SYSTEM (143F)
Priority:


Other Significant


Reinventing Government:


This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing Government effort. It will 
revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or duplication, or streamline 
requirements.


Legal Authority:


 42 USC 902(a)(5); 42 USC 405; 42 USC 1383


CFR Citation:


 20 CFR 404.1500ff, appendix 1


Legal Deadline:


None


Abstract:


Sections 1.00 and 101.00 of Appendix 1 to the disability regulations at 
20 CFR 404.1501 through 404.1599 describe those musculoskeletal 
impairments which are considered severe enough to prevent a person from 
doing any gainful activity or age-appropriate activities. Comprehensive 
revisions to these sections are proposed to ensure that the medical 
evaluation criteria are up to date and consistent with the latest 
advances in medicine. The SSI program incorporates by reference and 
uses the same medical criteria as the old-age, survivors, and 
disability insurance program.


Statement of Need:


These regulations are necessary to update the musculoskeletal listing 
to reflect advances in medical knowledge, treatment, and methods of 
evaluating musculoskeletal impairments.


Summary of the Legal Basis:


Administrative--not required by statute or court order.


Alternatives:


None--Medical advances require that this listing be updated.


Anticipated Costs and Benefits:


These final regulations will have negligible program and administrative 
cost impact because, despite changes in terminology and emphasis, the 
proposed musculoskeletal system listings describe a level of severity 
comparable to the level of severity contained in the current listings.


Risks:


Since all this regulation will do is update the medical listing, we see 
no risks associated with these changes.


Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________
Action                                 DFR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________
NPRM            58 FR 67574                                    12/21/93
NPRM Comment Period End                                        02/22/94
Final Action                                                   09/00/96
Small Entities Affected:


None


Government Levels Affected:


None


Agency Contact:
Richard M. Bresnick
Legal Assistant
Social Security Administration
Division of Regulations and Rulings
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
Phone: 410 965-1758
RIN: 0960-AB01
_______________________________________________________________________
SSA
152. OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE AND SUPPLEMENTAL 
SECURITY INCOME FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED; REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE 
REFORMS (295F)
Priority:


Other Significant


Reinventing Government:


This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing Government effort. It will 
revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or duplication, or streamline 
requirements.


Legal Authority:


 PL 101-508, sec 5105


CFR Citation:


 20 CFR 404.902; 20 CFR 404.2001; 20 CFR 404.2011; 20 CFR 404.2022; 20 
CFR 404.2024; 20 CFR 404.2025; 20 CFR 404.2030; 20 CFR 404.2041; 20 CFR 
404.2050; 20 CFR 416.601; 20 CFR 416.611; 20 CFR 416.622; 20 CFR 
416.624; 20 CFR 416.625; 20 CFR 416.630; ...


Legal Deadline:


None


Abstract:


Effective stewardship at SSA programs requires mechanisms to assure 
that benefits are used to meet the needs of beneficiaries who are not 
able to manage their own benefits due to legal incompetence or medical 
infirmity. Congress determined that improvements to the representative 
payment procedures were needed to assure program integrity as part of 
P.L. 101-508. Any costs associated with these regulations are reflected 
in the President's budget as part of legislative in implementation. 
They are required to further our program integrity efforts.


Statement of Need:


These regulations, which reflect certain provisions of PL 101-508, 
modify existing representative payee procedures by requiring the Social 
Security Administration to do a more extensive investigation of 
representative payee applicants; generally limiting to 1 month the 
deferral or suspension of direct payment of benefits pending selection 
of a payee; providing stricter standards in determining the fitness of 
representative payee applicants to manage benefit payments on behalf of 
beneficiaries; requiring SSA to repay to the beneficiary or an 
alternate payee, an amount equal to any misused funds resulting from 
SSA's negligent failure to investigate or monitor a representative 
payee; and requiring SSA to compile and maintain a centralized file of 
certain beneficiary and payee information.
These regulations are needed to reflect certain provisions of PL 101-
508 (OBRA '90). Sections 205(a), 1102, and 1631(d of the Act give the 
Commissioners broad power to make rules and carry out these provisions.


Summary of the Legal Basis:


These regulations implement section 5105 of Public Law 101-508.


Alternatives:


None


Anticipated Costs and Benefits:


Effective stewardship of SSA programs requires mechanisms to assure 
that benefits are used to meet the needs of beneficiaries who are not 
able to manage their own benefits due to legal incompetence or medical 
infirmity. Congress determined that improvements to the representative 
payment procedures were needed to assure program integrity as part of 
P.L. 101-508. Any costs associated with these regulations are reflected 
in the President's budget as part of legislative implementation. They 
are required to further our program integrity efforts.


Risks:


Since basically all these regulations do is implement the statute, we 
see no risks associated with these regulations.


Timetable:
_______________________________________________________________________
Action                                 DFR Cite

_______________________________________________________________________
NPRM            59 FR 11949                                    03/15/94
NPRM Comment Period End                                        05/16/94
Final Action                                                   03/00/96
Small Entities Affected:


None


Government Levels Affected:


None


Agency Contact:
Cassandra Bond
Legal Assistant
Social Security Administration
Division of Regulations and Rulings
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
Phone: 410 965-1794
RIN: 0960-AD22
BILLING CODE 4190-11-F