[Federal Register: June 18, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 117)]
[Notices]
[Page 34214-34215]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18jn04-163]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/
Department of Homeland Security Number 1010)
AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).
ACTION: Notice of a renewal of a computer matching program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as
amended, this notice announces a renewal of a computer matching program
that SSA will conduct with DHS.
DATES: SSA will file a report of the subject matching program with the
Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on
Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). The matching program will be effective as indicated below.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice either by
telefax to (410) 965-8582 or writing to the Associate Commissioner for
Income Security Programs, 245 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401. All comments received will be
available for public inspection at this address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Associate Commissioner for Income
Security Programs as shown above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 34215]]
A. General
The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Public
Law (Pub. L.) 100-503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by
describing the manner in which computer matching involving Federal
agencies could be performed and adding certain protections for
individuals applying for and receiving Federal benefits. Section 7201
of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508)
further amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such
individuals.
The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching
by Federal agencies when records in a system of records are matched
with other Federal, State, or local government records. It requires
Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs to:
(1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies
participating in the matching programs;
(2) Obtain the approval of the matching agreement by the Data
Integrity Boards (DIB) of the participating Federal agencies;
(3) Publish notice of the computer matching program in the Federal
Register;
(4) Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress
and OMB;
(5) Notify applicants and beneficiaries that their records are
subject to matching; and
(6) Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating
or denying an individual's benefits or payments.
B. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act
We have taken action to ensure that all of SSA's computer matching
programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended.
Dated: June 9, 2004.
Martin H. Gerry,
Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.
Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration
(SSA) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
A. Participating Agencies
SSA and DHS.
B. Purpose of the Matching Program
The purpose of this matching program is to establish conditions
under which DHS agrees to the disclosure of information regarding
certain aliens who may, as a result of their current and planned
absences from the United States, be subject to nonpayment of benefits
in programs administered by SSA. The disclosure will provide SSA with
information useful in determining claim and benefit status under both
Title II and Title XVI of the Social Security Act governing Social
Security Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance Benefits, and
Supplemental Security Income, as certain persons who are outside the
United States or similarly lack appropriate statutorily specified
residency and citizenship/alienage status may not be paid benefits
under specific statutory provisions of those titles.
C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program
This matching operation is carried out under the authority of
sections 202(n), 1611(f), and 1614(a)(1) of the Act (42 U.S.C 402(n),
1382(f) and 1382c(a)(1)) and 8 U.S.C. 1611 and 1612. Section
1631(e)(1)(B) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(e)(1)(B)) requires SSA to
verify declarations of applicants for and recipients of SSI payments
before making a determination of eligibility or payment amount. Section
1631(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(f)) requires Federal agencies to
provide SSA with information necessary to verify SSI eligibility or
benefit amounts or to verify other information related to these
determinations. In addition, section 202(n)(2) of the Act specifies
that the ``Secretary Of [the Department of] Homeland Security'' notify
the Commissioner of Social Security when individuals are deported under
specified provisions of section 237(a) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act.
Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Matching Agreement
DHS will disclose to SSA two data files as described below:
1. Aliens Who Leave the United States Voluntarily
DHS will provide SSA with two electronic files. DHS will provide
SSA with an electronic file from its Computer Linked Application
Information Management System (CLAIMS) Justice/INS 013 system of
records most recently published at 62 FR 59734, dated 11/04/97 which is
electronically formatted for transmission to SSA. CLAIMS contains
information on resident aliens who are SSI recipients and who have left
or plan to leave the United States for any period of 30 consecutive
days. SSA will then match the DHS CLAIMS data with: (1) Social Security
Number (SSN) applicant and holder information maintained in SSA's
Master Files of Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and SSN
Applications, SSA/OEEAS 60-0058 most recently published at 65 FR 66279
dated 11/03/2000); and, the SSA's Supplemental Security Income Record
and Special Veterans Benefits (SSR) most recently published at 66 FR
11079 SSA/OEEAS 60-0103 dated 02/21/2001.
2. Aliens Who Are Deported From the United States
DHS will also provide SSA with an electronic file containing
information on deported number holders from its Deportable Alien
Control System (DACS) (Justice/INS-012, full text published at 65 FR
46738, dated 07/31/2000, modified at 66 FR 66712, dated 01/22/2001),
electronically formatted for transmission to SSA. DACS will eventually
be succeeded by the Enforce Removal Module (EREM). After such
transition, EREM will be the system of records used in the match. SSA
will then match the DHS EREM data with: SSN applicant and holder
information maintained in SSA's Master Files of Social Security Number
(SSN) Holders and SSN Applications SSA/OEES 09-60-0058 published at 65
FR 66279 (11/03/00), the Master Beneficiary Record SSA/OEEAS 09-60-
0090, most recently published at 66 FR 11080, dated 02/21/2001); and
the Supplemental Security Record.
Inclusive Dates of the Match
The matching agreement for this program shall become effective no
sooner than 40 days after notice of the matching program is sent to
Congress and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) or 30 days after
publication of this notice in the Federal Register whichever is later.
The matching program will continue for 18 months from the effective
date and may be extended for an additional 12 months thereafter, if
certain conditions are met.
[FR Doc. 04-13756 Filed 6-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P