[Federal Register: August 1, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 148)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 45180-45190]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01au03-22]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
20 CFR Parts 404 and 416
[Regulations Nos. 4 and 16]
RIN 0960--AF86
Continuation of Benefit Payments to Certain Individuals Who Are
Participating in a Program of Vocational Rehabilitation Services,
Employment Services, or Other Support Services
AGENCY: Social Security Administration.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: We propose to revise our regulations, which provide for the
continuation of benefit payments to certain individuals who recover
medically while participating in a vocational rehabilitation program
with a State vocational rehabilitation agency. We are proposing these
changes because of statutory amendments, which extend eligibility for
these continued benefit payments to certain individuals who recover
medically while participating in another appropriate program of
vocational rehabilitation services. These include individuals
participating in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program or
another program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment
services, or other support services approved by the Commissioner of
Social Security.
These proposed regulations would affect the payment of Social
Security disability benefits under title II of the Social Security Act
(the Act) and the payment of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
disability or blindness benefits under title XVI of the Act.
DATES: To be sure your comments are considered, we must receive them by
September 30, 2003.
ADDRESSES: You may give us your comments: by using our Internet site
facility (i.e., Social Security Online) at
http://www.socialsecurity.gov; by e-mail to
regulations@ssa.gov; by telefax to
(410) 966-2830; or by letter to the Commissioner of Social Security, PO
Box 17703, Baltimore, MD 21235-7703. You may also deliver them to the
Office of Disability and Income Security Programs, Office of
Regulations, Social Security Administration, 100 Altmeyer Building,
6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, between 8 a.m. and
4:30 p.m. on regular business days. Comments are posted on our Internet
site. You also may inspect the comments on regular business days by
making arrangements with the contact person shown in the preamble.
Electronic Version: The electronic file of this document is
available on the date of publication in the Federal Register at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html.
It is also available on
the Internet site for the Social Security Administration (i.e. Social
Security Online): http://www.socialsecurity.gov/regulations/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne DiMarino, Social Insurance
Specialist, Social Security Administration, 100 Altmeyer Building, 6401
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, e-mail to
regulations@ssa.gov, or telephone (410) 965-1769 or TTY (410) 966-5609
for information about these rules. For information on eligibility or
filing for benefits, call our national toll-free number 1-800-772-1213
or TTY 1-800-325-0778, or visit our Internet Web site, Social Security
Online, at http://www.socialsecurity.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Statutory Background
The Social Security Disability Amendments of 1980
The Social Security Disability Amendments of 1980 (the 1980
Amendments), Pub. L. 96-265, amended titles II and XVI of the Act to
provide for the continuation of payment of disability benefits under
the Social Security or SSI program to certain individuals whose
disability medically ceases while the individual is engaged in a
program of vocational rehabilitation. Section 301 of the 1980
Amendments added sections 225(b) and 1631(a)(6) of the Act to provide
that the payment of benefits based on disability shall not be
terminated or suspended because the physical or mental impairment, on
which the individual's entitlement or eligibility is based, has or may
have ceased, if:
[sbull] The individual is participating in an approved vocational
rehabilitation program under a State plan approved under title I of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and
[sbull] The Commissioner of Social Security determines that
completion of the program, or its continuation for a specified period
of time, will increase the likelihood that the individual may be
permanently removed from the disability benefit rolls.
The purpose of these benefit continuation provisions is to
encourage individuals to continue participating in the approved
vocational rehabilitation program in which they are engaged at the time
their disability ceases in ``those exceptional cases where the
administration is able to determine that continuation in a vocational
rehabilitation program will increase the likelihood of the individual's
being permanently removed from the disability rolls.'' Report of the
Senate Committee on Finance on the 1980 Amendments, S. Rep. No. 408,
96th Cong., 1st Sess. 50 (1979).
Our regulations implementing the provisions of the Act added by
section 301 of the 1980 Amendments provide that we may continue an
individual's benefits (and, when the individual receives benefits as a
disabled worker, the benefits of his or her dependents) after the
individual's impairment is no longer disabling if:
[sbull] The individual's disability did not end before December
1980, the effective date of the provisions of the Act added by section
301 of the 1980 Amendments;
[sbull] The individual is participating in an appropriate program
of vocational rehabilitation, that is, one that has been approved under
a State plan approved under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and which meets the requirements outlined in 34 CFR part 361 for a
rehabilitation program;
[sbull] The individual began the program before his or her
disability ended; and
[sbull] We have determined that the individual's completion of the
program, or his or her continuation in the
[[Page 45181]]
program for a specified period of time, will significantly increase the
likelihood that the individual will not have to return to the
disability benefit rolls.
Our regulations provide that these continued benefits generally
will be stopped with the month the individual completes the program,
stops participating in the program for any reason, or we determine that
the individual's continuing participation in the program will no longer
significantly increase the likelihood that the individual will be
permanently removed from the disability benefit rolls.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987
Section 9112 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA
1987), Pub. L. 100-203, amended section 1631(a)(6) of the Act to extend
eligibility for continued benefits under that section to individuals
who receive SSI benefits based on blindness and whose blindness ends
while they are participating in an approved State vocational
rehabilitation program. This amendment was effective April 1, 1988. We
implemented this amendment through the issuance of operating
instructions reflecting the extension of eligibility for continued
benefits under section 1631(a)(6) of the Act to individuals receiving
SSI blindness benefits. In addition, when we added Sec. Sec.
416.2201(b) and 416.2212 to our regulations governing payments under
the vocational rehabilitation cost reimbursement program, we included
rules in Sec. Sec. 416.2201(b) and 416.2212 to reflect the expanded
scope of the benefit continuation provision under section 1631(a)(6) of
the Act resulting from the amendment made by section 9112 of OBRA 1987.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990
Section 5113 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA
1990), Pub. L. 101-508, amended sections 225(b) and 1631(a)(6) of the
Act to permit the continuation of benefit payments on account of an
individual's participation in a non-State vocational rehabilitation
program. Section 5113 amended sections 225(b) and 1631(a)(6) of the Act
to allow the continuation of payment of Social Security disability
benefits or SSI disability or blindness benefits to an individual whose
disability or blindness ends while he or she is participating in a
program of vocational rehabilitation services approved by us. These
amendments extended to Social Security disability beneficiaries and SSI
disability or blindness beneficiaries who medically recover while
participating in an approved non-State vocational rehabilitation
program the same benefit continuation rights applicable to individuals
participating in an approved State vocational rehabilitation program.
The amendments made by section 5113 of OBRA 1990 were effective for
benefits payable for months beginning on or after November 1, 1991, and
applied to individuals whose disability or blindness ended on or after
that date. We implemented these amendments through the issuance of
operating instructions reflecting the extension of eligibility for
continued benefits under sections 225(b) and 1631(a)(6) of the Act to
individuals who medically recover while participating in an approved
non-State vocational rehabilitation program.
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of
1996
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
of 1996, Pub. L. 104-193, amended section 1614(a)(3) of the Act to
require redeterminations of the eligibility for SSI benefits based on
disability of individuals who attain age 18 (i.e., age-18
redeterminations). The law requires us to redetermine the eligibility
of individuals who attain age 18 and who were eligible for SSI benefits
for children based on disability for the month before the month in
which they attained age 18. In these disability redeterminations, the
law requires us to use the rules for determining initial eligibility
for adults (individuals age 18 or older) filing new applications for
benefits. The medical improvement review standard used in continuing
disability reviews does not apply to these redeterminations.
In Sec. 416.987(b) of our regulations, we explain the rules for
adult applicants that we use in redetermining the eligibility of an
individual who has attained age 18. If we find that the individual is
not disabled, we will find that his or her disability has ended as
explained in Sec. 416.987(e). For an individual whose disability has
ended as a result of a redetermination using the rules described in
Sec. 416.987(b), and who is participating in a program of vocational
rehabilitation services when disability ends, our operating guides
provide that we will consider the individual for eligibility for
continued benefits under section 1631(a)(6) of the Act. For benefits to
continue, the individual must be participating in an approved program
of vocational rehabilitation services. In addition, the completion or
continuation of the program must satisfy the test of increasing the
likelihood of the individual's permanent removal from the benefit
rolls. Also, the individual must meet all of the other requirements of
SSI eligibility.
The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999
On December 17, 1999, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives
Improvement Act of 1999, Pub. L. 106-170, became law. Section 101(a) of
this law added a new section 1148 of the Act to establish the Ticket to
Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (Ticket to Work program). The purpose
of the Ticket to Work program is to expand the universe of service
providers available to beneficiaries with disabilities who are seeking
employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other
support services to assist them in obtaining, regaining, and
maintaining self-supporting employment.
Under the Ticket to Work program, the Commissioner of Social
Security may issue a ticket to Social Security disability beneficiaries
and disabled or blind SSI beneficiaries for participation in the
program. Each beneficiary has the option of using his or her ticket to
obtain services from a provider known as an employment network or from
a State vocational rehabilitation agency. The beneficiary will choose
the employment network or State vocational rehabilitation agency, and
the employment network or State vocational rehabilitation agency will
provide services. Employment networks will also be able to choose whom
they serve.
We published final regulations implementing the Ticket to Work
program in the Federal Register on December 28, 2001 (66 FR 67370). The
final regulations were effective January 28, 2002. Under the provisions
of these final regulations, service providers that provide vocational
rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support services
can qualify as employment networks and serve beneficiaries under the
Ticket to Work program. The expansion of options available to
beneficiaries to obtain these services are intended to enhance the
choices of beneficiaries in getting the services they need to obtain,
regain and/or maintain employment.
Section 101(b) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives
Improvement Act of 1999 amended sections 225(b)(1) and 1631(a)(6)(A) of
the Act by deleting ``a program of vocational rehabilitation services''
and inserting in its place ``a program consisting of the Ticket to Work
and Self-Sufficiency Program under section 1148 or another program of
vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support
[[Page 45182]]
services.'' The amended provisions of these sections now expressly
authorize the continuation of benefit payments under section 225(b) or
1631(a)(6) of the Act to an individual whose disability or blindness
ceases when the individual is participating in a program consisting of
the Ticket to Work program under section 1148 of the Act or another
program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or
other support services approved by the Commissioner of Social Security.
The amendments did not change the requirement in sections 225(b)(2) and
1631(a)(6)(B) of the Act that, for an individual to qualify, the
Commissioner of Social Security must determine that the completion of
the program, or its continuation for a specified period of time, will
increase the likelihood that the individual may be permanently removed
from the disability or blindness benefit rolls.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997
(IDEA 97), Pub. L. 105-17, was enacted on June 4, 1997. In the final
regulations published by the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) in
the Federal Register on March 12, 1999 (64 FR 12406), the Secretary
stated that ``The purposes of this part are * * * ``(t)o ensure that
all children with disabilities have available to them a free
appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and
related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them
for employment and independent living; * * *'' IDEA requires a
coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability that
promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including
post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment,
continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or
community participation. Each State can receive a grant of assistance
under IDEA for serving a child with a disability birth through age 21.
In order for a State to receive assistance under part B of IDEA, an
individualized education program (IEP) must be developed, reviewed and
revised for each child with a disability. The IEP must be developed,
reviewed and, if appropriate, revised by a team including, among
others, the student, if appropriate, and his or her parents, a special
education teacher, the student's regular education teacher, if the
child is or may be participating in the regular education environment,
and other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise
concerning the child. For each student with a disability beginning at
age 16 (or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP team), the IEP
must include a statement of needed transition services for the student
that promotes movement from school to post-school activities including
postsecondary education, vocational training, integrated employment
(including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult
services, independent living, or community participation. Based on the
individual student's needs, transition services might include
postsecondary education, vocational training, integrated employment
(including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult
services, independent living, or community participation. Each
student's IEP must be reviewed periodically, but not less than
annually, to determine whether the annual goals for the child are being
achieved; and must be revised, as appropriate, to: address any lack of
expected progress toward the annual goals and in the general
curriculum; the results of any reevaluation; information about the
child provided to, or by, the parents; the child's anticipated needs;
or other matters.
Other Background
The National Longitudinal Transition Study
The National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS) was mandated by
the U.S. Congress in 1983, and describes the experiences and outcomes
of youth with disabilities nationally during secondary school and early
adulthood. It was conducted from 1987 through 1993 by SRI International
under contract number 300-87-0054 with the Office of Special Education
Programs, U.S. Department of Education. (The electronic file of this
document is available at http://www.sri.com/policy/cehs/publications/dispub/nlts/nltssum.html.
)
The NLTS provides evidence of the importance of supporting students
with disabilities to stay in school. The study showed that:
[sbull] Students with disabilities who stay in school have better
post-school outcomes than their peers who dropped out of school.
[sbull] Students with disabilities who stayed in school were more
likely to enroll in postsecondary vocational or academic programs.
[sbull] There was a consistently positive relationship between
staying in school and employment success.
In addition, the NLTS documented the importance of vocational
education and work experience programs in school:
[sbull] Students with disabilities who took occupationally-oriented
vocational education were significantly less likely to drop out of
school than students who did not.
[sbull] Students with disabilities who participated in work
experience programs missed significantly less school and were less
likely to fail a course or drop out of high school.
[sbull] For the majority of students with disabilities (those with
learning, speech or emotional disabilities or mild mental retardation)
vocational education in high school was related to a higher probability
of finding competitive jobs and higher earnings.
[sbull] For students with orthopedic or health impairments,
participation in high school work experience programs translated into a
higher likelihood of employment and higher earnings after high school.
The NLTS also documented that the post-school paths of youths with
disabilities reflected their transition goals. Twelfth-graders who had
a transition goal related to competitive employment or to postsecondary
education were more likely to find jobs or go on to postsecondary
schools than students who did not.
The NLTS suggests that any efforts that encourage students with
disabilities to stay in school and complete their educational and
vocational training are important to improving post-school outcomes for
students with disabilities. It indicates that students with
disabilities drop out of school at a higher rate than students in the
general population (38 percent vs. 25 percent).
The New Freedom Initiative
On February 1, 2001, President George W. Bush announced his New
Freedom Initiative to promote the full participation of people with
disabilities in all areas of society by increasing access to assistive
and universally designed technologies, expanding educational and
employment opportunities, and promoting full access to community life.
Because a solid education is critical to ensuring that children with
disabilities have an equal chance to succeed, the New Freedom
Initiative includes goals of expanding access to quality education for
youth with disabilities, ensuring that they receive support to
transition from school to employment, and improving the high school
graduation rates of students with disabilities. These proposed rules
fully support the
[[Page 45183]]
education and employment goals embodied in the New Freedom Initiative.
Explanation of Proposed Changes
The proposed rules would update our regulations to reflect
amendments to sections 225(b) and 1631(a)(6) of the Act. They also
would make certain other changes to our regulations regarding
eligibility for continued benefit payments under these sections of the
Act.
Extension of Eligibility for Continued Benefit Payments to Individuals
Who Receive SSI Benefits Based on Blindness
We propose to revise Sec. Sec. 416.1321(d), 416.1331(a) and (b),
416.1338(a) and (b), and 416.1402(j) to reflect the OBRA 1987 amendment
which extended the scope of section 1631(a)(6) of the Act to cover
individuals receiving SSI benefits based on blindness. We propose to
revise these sections to indicate that an individual whose eligibility
for SSI benefits is based on blindness and whose blindness ends due to
medical recovery while he or she is participating in a program of
vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services may be eligible for continued benefits under section
1631(a)(6) of the Act. We also are reflecting this expanded scope of
the statute in proposed new Sec. 416.1338(e), which we discuss later
in this preamble.
Individuals Whose Disability Is Determined To Have Ended as a Result of
an Age-18 Redetermination of SSI Eligibility
We propose to revise the introductory text of Sec. 416.1338(a) to
indicate that children who receive SSI benefits based on disability and
whose disability is determined to have ended under the rules in Sec.
416.987(b) and (e)(1) in an age-18 redetermination may have their
benefit payments continued under section 1631(a)(6) of the Act if the
individual meets all other requirements for continued benefits.
Students Participating in an Individualized Education Program
As noted above, the NLTS documented the importance of vocational
education and work experience programs in school. An IEP that addresses
needed transition services is developed, reviewed and, if appropriate,
revised on a regular basis by the IEP team for a student with a
disability beginning at age 16 (or younger, if determined appropriate
by the IEP team). Therefore, we are proposing rules to provide that we
will consider a student's completion of or continuation in such a
program to be analogous to the individualized determination that
completion of or continuation in other approved programs of vocational
rehabilitation services will improve an individual's level of
education, work experience, or skills so that he or she would be more
likely to be able to do other work that exists in the national economy,
despite a possible future reduction in his or her residual functional
capacity. On this basis, under the rules we are proposing to add as
Sec. Sec. 404.328 and 416.1338(e), we will determine that
participation in such a program will increase the likelihood that an
individual who is engaged in such a program at the time his or her
disability ceases will not have to return to the disability rolls.
The NLTS also demonstrated that there was a consistently positive
relationship between staying in school and employment success, and
suggested that any efforts that encourage students with disabilities to
stay in school and complete their educational and vocational training
are important to improving post-school outcomes for students with
disabilities. We, therefore, propose to amend our rules to encourage
young people with disabilities to stay in school and complete their
educational and vocational training, and to encourage the families of
students with disabilities to support them in preparing for employment
and self-sufficiency. This is consistent with the goals of the
President's New Freedom Initiative to expand access to quality
education for youth with disabilities, ensure that they receive support
to transition from school to employment, and improve the high school
graduation rates of students with disabilities. Specifically, we are
proposing that, if a student age 18 through 21 is receiving services
under an IEP, and if the student's disability ceases as a result of a
continuing disability review or a redetermination of his or her
eligibility at age 18 under the rules for determining initial
eligibility as adults (i.e., age 18 redeterminations), we will consider
that the student's completion of or continuation in the IEP will
increase the likelihood that he or she will not have to return to the
disability or blindness benefit rolls.
We are proposing benefit continuation on this basis for students
beginning at age 18, who are receiving services under IEPs when their
disabilities cease as a result of continuing disability reviews or age-
18 redeterminations, in order to encourage young people with
disabilities to stay in school and complete their educational and
vocational training, and to encourage their families to support them in
preparing for employment and self-sufficiency, regardless of the
possible outcome of continuing disability reviews or age 18
redeterminations. We are proposing benefit continuation on this basis
for students with disabilities through age 21, since each State can
receive a grant of assistance under IDEA for serving a child with a
disability through age 21.
Individuals Participating in the Ticket to Work Program or Another
Program of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Employment Services, or
Other Support Services Approved by Us
We propose to revise and update our regulations regarding the type
of program in which an individual must be participating in order to
qualify for continued benefits. Our existing regulations, which are
based on the original provisions of sections 225(b) and 1631(a)(6) of
the Act, indicate that an individual whose impairment is no longer
disabling may be considered for eligibility for continued benefits if
he or she is participating in a vocational rehabilitation program
provided by a State vocational rehabilitation agency. The amendments to
sections 225(b)(1) and 1631(a)(6)(A) of the Act, made by OBRA 1990,
extended consideration for continued benefits under sections 225(b) and
1631(a)(6) of the Act to individuals in approved non-State vocational
rehabilitation programs.
We implemented the amendments made by OBRA 1990 by publishing
operating instructions in 1992. These instructions identified an
approved non-State vocational rehabilitation program as any non-State
vocational rehabilitation service provider who meets one of the
following criteria:
[sbull] Is licensed, certified, accredited, or registered, as
appropriate, to provide vocational rehabilitation services in the State
in which it provides services; or
[sbull] Is an agency of the Federal government (e.g., the
Department of Veterans Affairs); or
[sbull] Is a provider approved to provide services under a Social
Security Administration research or demonstration project.
The amendments to sections 225(b)(1) and 1631(a)(6)(A) of the Act,
made by section 101(b) of Pub. L. 106-170, further expanded the type of
program in which an individual must be participating to qualify for
continued benefits. These sections of the Act now provide that an
individual may be considered for eligibility for continued benefits if
she or he is participating in a program consisting of the Ticket to
Work program or another program of
[[Page 45184]]
vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services approved by the Commissioner of Social Security.
We propose to revise Sec. Sec. 404.316(c)(1), 404.337(c)(1),
404.352(d)(1), 404.902(s), 404.1586(g)(1), 404.1596(c)(4), 404.1597(a),
416.1321(d)(1), 416.1331(a) and (b), 416.1338(a), and 416.1402(j) to
take account of the amendments to sections 225(b)(1) and 1631(a)(6)(A)
of the Act. In the proposed revisions to these sections of the
regulations, we are proposing to use the term ``an appropriate program
of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services'' to refer to the program in which an individual must
be participating in order to be considered for eligibility for
continued benefits under sections 225(b) and 1631(a)(6) of the Act, as
amended.
We also propose to amend our regulations by adding new Sec. Sec.
404.327(a) and 416.1338(c) to explain the term ``an appropriate program
of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services.'' We explain that an appropriate program of
vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services means one of the following:
[sbull] A program carried out under an individual work plan with an
employment network under the Ticket to Work program;
[sbull] A program carried out under an individualized plan for
employment with a State vocational rehabilitation agency operating
under a State plan approved under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, as amended;
[sbull] A program which is carried out by an organization
administering a Vocational Rehabilitation Services Project for American
Indians with Disabilities authorized under section 121 of part C of
title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 750 et
seq.).
[sbull] A program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment
services, or other support services carried out under a similar
individualized employment plan with another provider of services
approved by us; or
[sbull] An individualized education program (IEP) developed under
policies and procedures approved by the Secretary of Education for
assistance to States for the education of children with disabilities
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as
amended (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).
We also propose to include an appropriate cross-reference to Sec.
404.327(a) or Sec. 416.1338(c) in the sections of the regulations
which state the basic requirement that the individual must be
participating in an appropriate program.
Definition of ``Participating'' in the Program
We propose to amend our regulations to add new Sec. Sec.
404.327(b) and 416.1338(d) to explain when an individual will be
considered to be ``participating'' in the program. Sections 225(b) and
1631(a)(6) of the Act and our existing regulations do not define the
term ``participating.''
Our existing operating instructions (published in 1986) use the
term ``actively involved'' in a vocational rehabilitation program and
define active participation in a State vocational rehabilitation
program as placement in one of four State vocational rehabilitation
agency status codes: vocational rehabilitation plan developed and
approved; counseling and guidance; physical restoration; and training,
including vocational and college training. Any other State vocational
rehabilitation agency status codes are not considered active
participation for purposes of continued benefit payments. Other
providers of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services,
or other support services do not use these codes and several State
vocational rehabilitation agencies no longer use them.
Our operating instructions on demonstrating participation in a non-
State vocational rehabilitation program require that we obtain
information regarding the individual's status, such as whether the
individual is actively receiving services such as counseling and
guidance, physical restoration, or academic, business, vocational, or
other training. We use this information to determine on a case-by-case
basis whether the individual's status is equivalent to the State
vocational rehabilitation status codes used to determine participation.
In proposed new Sec. Sec. 404.327(b) and 416.1338(d), we explain
the criteria we will use to determine whether an individual is
``participating'' in the program for purposes of continued benefit
payments. We explain that for a program which is carried out under an
individual work plan with an employment network, an individualized plan
for employment with a State vocational rehabilitation agency, or a
similar, individualized, written employment plan with another provider
of services approved by us, we will consider the individual to be
participating in the program if the individual is engaging in the
activities outlined in his or her plan. If the individual is age 18
through 21 and receiving services under an IEP developed under policies
and procedures approved by the Secretary of Education for assistance to
States for the education of children with disabilities under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, we will consider the
individual to be participating in the program if he or she is taking
part in the activities or services outlined in his or her IEP. To meet
our requirements for participation, the individual must be taking part
in the activities outlined in his or her plan or program.
Determining Increased Likelihood of Permanent Removal From the
Disability Benefit Rolls
We propose to amend our regulations to add new Sec. Sec. 404.328
and 416.1338(e) to explain how we will determine whether an
individual's completion of or continuation in an appropriate program of
vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services will increase the likelihood that the individual will
not have to return to the disability benefit rolls. Sections 225(b) and
1631(a)(6) of the Act provide for continued benefits to persons who are
no longer disabled due to medical recovery and who are participating in
an appropriate program only if SSA can determine that completion or
continuation of the program ``will increase the likelihood'' that the
individual will remain permanently off the disability benefit rolls. As
the individual is not disabled and, by definition, is able to engage in
substantial gainful activity without the need for the program, there is
already a ``likelihood'' that the individual will stay off the
disability benefit rolls. Benefits may be continued to the individual
only if completion or continuation of the program will ``increase''
this likelihood. For this reason, proposed new Sec. Sec. 404.328 and
416.1338(e) will require, that, in order that we will make a
determination that a program will increase the likelihood that an
individual will not have to return to the disability benefit rolls, we
must determine that completion of or participation in the program will
provide the individual with:
[sbull] An improvement in the individual's work experience so that
he or she would be more likely to be able to do past relevant work,
despite a possible future reduction in his or her residual functional
capacity; or
[sbull] An improvement in any of the vocational factors of
education, work experience, or skills so that he or she would be more
likely to be able to do
[[Page 45185]]
other work that exists in the national economy, despite a possible
future reduction in his or her residual functional capacity.
We are also proposing a rule in Sec. Sec. 404.328 and 416.1338(e)
for students age 18 through 21 who are participating in an
individualized education program developed under policies and
procedures approved by the Secretary of Education for assistance to
States for the education of children with disabilities under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended (20 U.S.C.
Sec. 1400 et seq.). Under the proposed rule, we will find that these
students' completion of or continuation in the program will increase
the likelihood that they will not have to return to the disability or
blindness benefit rolls.
As a result of our proposed revisions regarding how we will make a
likelihood determination, we propose to eliminate the examples provided
in Sec. Sec. 404.316(c)(1)(iv) and 416.1338(a)(4) regarding making a
``likelihood'' decision because these examples do not directly
illustrate the rules we are proposing. Additionally, in Sec. Sec.
404.316(c), 404.337(c), 404.352(d), 404.902(s), 404.1586(g),
404.1596(c), 404.1597(a), 416.1321(d), 416.1331(b), 416.1338(a), and
416.1402(j), we are proposing to remove the modifier ``significantly''
from the phrase ``significantly increase the likelihood'' in the
existing provisions to make the regulations conform more closely to the
language of sections 225(b)(2) and 1631(a)(6)(B) of the Act.
Summary of Proposed Revisions to the Regulations on Continuation of
Social Security Disability and SSI Disability or Blindness Benefits
We propose to revise Sec. Sec. 404.316(c)(1), 404.337(c)(1),
404.352(d)(1), 404.1586(g)(1), 404.1596(c)(4), 416.1321(d) and
416.1338(a) to indicate that an individual's benefits may be continued
after his or her impairment is no longer disabling (or, for SSI
blindness benefits, after his or her blindness ends due to medical
recovery) if:
[sbull] The individual is participating in an appropriate program
of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services, as described in proposed new Sec. 404.327(a) and (b)
or in proposed new Sec. 416.1338(c) and (d);
[sbull] The individual began participating in the program before
the date his or her disability or blindness ended; and
[sbull] We have determined under proposed new Sec. 404.328 or
proposed new Sec. 416.1338(e) that the individual's completion of the
program, or continuation in the program for a specified period of time,
will increase the likelihood that the individual will not have to
return to the disability or blindness benefit rolls.
In the proposed revision of Sec. 416.1338(a), we also explain that
an individual whose disability is determined to have ended as a result
of an age-18 redetermination may continue to receive SSI benefits if
the requirements described above are met.
We propose to revise Sec. Sec. 404.316(c)(2), 404.337(c)(2),
404.352(d)(2), 404.1586(g)(2) and 416.1338(b) to indicate that we will
stop an individual's benefits with the earliest of these months:
[sbull] The month in which the individual completes the program;
[sbull] the month in which the individual stops participating in
the program for any reason; or
[sbull] The month in which we determine under proposed new Sec.
404.328 or proposed new Sec. 416.1338(e) that continued participation
will no longer increase the likelihood that the individual will not
have to return to the disability or blindness benefit rolls.
We propose to revise the Exception in Sec. Sec. 404.316(c)(2),
404.337(c)(2), 404.352(d)(2), and 404.1586(g)(2) by inserting the
phrase ``provided you meet all other requirements for entitlement to
and payment of benefits through such month'' following the word
``ends.'' We propose to add new Sec. Sec. 404.327, 404.328 and
416.1338(c), (d) and (e) to our regulations. In proposed new Sec. Sec.
404.327(a) and 416.1338(c), we explain what we mean by ``an appropriate
program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or
other support services.'' In proposed new Sec. Sec. 404.327(b) and
416.1338(d), we explain when we will consider an individual to be
``participating'' in the program.
We propose to add new Sec. Sec. 404.328 and 416.1338(e) to explain
when we will find that an individual's completion of or continuation in
an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services,
employment services, or other support services will increase the
likelihood that the individual will not have to return to the
disability or blindness benefit rolls.
We propose to revise Sec. 404.902(s) by removing reference to ``an
appropriate vocational rehabilitation program'' and inserting in its
place ``an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services,
employment services, or other support services.'' We propose to make
this same change in the heading of Sec. 404.1586(g).
We propose to revise Sec. 404.1597(a) to eliminate the references
to November 1980 and December 1980, to remove reference to ``an
appropriate vocational rehabilitation program'' and inserting in its
place ``an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services,
employment services, or other support services,'' and to indicate that
the individual must have started participating in the program before
the date his or her disability ended.
We propose to revise Sec. 416.1331(a) and (b). We propose to
combine the discussion of the rules in the first and third sentences of
Sec. 416.1331(a) into a single sentence to indicate that the last
month for which we can pay SSI benefits based on disability or
blindness is the second month after the month in which the individual's
disability or blindness ends. We explain that Sec. 416.1338 provides
an exception to this rule for certain individuals who are participating
in an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services,
employment services, or other support services. We also are proposing
to add to Sec. 416.1331(a) appropriate cross-references to the
sections of the SSI regulations which explain when disability or
blindness ends. In addition, we propose to remove from Sec.
416.1331(a) the cross-reference to Sec. 416.261 which discusses
special SSI benefits for working individuals who have a disabling
impairment. We believe that inclusion of this cross-reference in Sec.
416.1331 is inappropriate since Sec. 416.1331 is concerned with the
termination of SSI benefits in cases when an individual's disability or
blindness has ended.
We propose to revise Sec. 416.1331(b) by removing reference to
``an appropriate vocational rehabilitation program'' and inserting in
its place ``an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation
services, employment services, or other support services.'' In
addition, we propose to revise Sec. 416.1331(b) by inserting the term
``or blind'' following the term ``disabled'' and inserting the term
``or blindness'' following the term ``disability.''
In addition to the other revisions to Sec. 416.1338, discussed
previously, we propose to revise the section heading to read: ``If you
are participating in an appropriate program of vocational
rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support
services.''
We propose to revise Sec. 416.1402(j) by removing ``an appropriate
vocational rehabilitation program'' and inserting in its place ``an
appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment
services, or other support
[[Page 45186]]
services,'' and by adding references to ``blindness'' and ``blind.''
Regulatory Procedures
Clarity of These Proposed Rules
Executive Order 12866, as amended by Executive Order 13258,
requires each agency to write all rules in plain language. In addition
to your substantive comments on these proposed rules, we invite your
comments on how to make these proposed rules easier to understand.
For example:
[sbull] Have we organized the material to suit your needs?
[sbull] Are the requirements in the rules clearly stated?
[sbull] Do the rules contain technical language or jargon that is
not clear?
[sbull] Would a different format (grouping and order of sections,
use of headings, paragraphing) make the rules easier to understand?
[sbull] Would more (but shorter) sections be better?
[sbull] Could we improve clarity by adding tables, lists, or
diagrams?
[sbull] What else could we do to make the rules easier to
understand?
Executive Order 12866
We have consulted with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
and determined that these proposed rules would meet the criteria for a
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, as amended
by Executive Order 13258. Thus, they were subject to OMB review.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
We certify that these proposed rules would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they
would primarily affect only individuals. Therefore, a regulatory
flexibility analysis as provided in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as
amended, is not required.
Federalism
We have reviewed these proposed rules under the threshold criteria
of Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' and determined that they do
not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and the States, or the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
Paperwork Reduction Act
These proposed rules contain reporting requirements at Sec. Sec.
404.316(c), 404.327, 404.328, 404.337(c), 404.352(d), 404.1586(g),
404.1596, 404.1597(a), 416.1321(d), 416.1331(a) and (b), and 416.1338.
We have been collecting the information using form SSA-4290, Vocational
Rehabilitation ``301'' Program Development, under Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) Number 0960-0282, which expires on March 31, 2006.
However, the changed reporting requirements described in the sections
listed above will require revision of this form. Therefore, an
information collection request will be submitted to OMB for clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. We estimate that it will
take 15 minutes for approximately 9,000 respondents to provide the
information for an estimated annual burden of 2,250 hours.
We are soliciting comments on the burden estimate; the need for the
information; its practical utility; ways to enhance its quality,
utility, and clarity; and on ways to minimize the burden on
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. Comments should be submitted to
OMB and the Social Security Administration at the following fax numbers
and/or address:
Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA, Fax
Number: 202-395-6974.
Social Security Administration, Attn: SSA Reports Clearance Officer,
1338 Annex Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401,
Fax Number: 410-965-6400.
Comments can be received from between 30 and 60 days after
publication of this notice and will be most useful if received by SSA
within 30 days of publication. You can obtain a copy of the collection
instrument by calling the SSA Reports Clearance Officer at 410-965-
0454.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 96.001, Social
Security-Disability Insurance; 96.002, Social Security-Retirement
Insurance; 96.004, Social Security-Survivors Insurance; 96.006,
Supplemental Security Income)
List of Subjects
20 CFR Part 404
Administrative practice and procedure, Blind, Disability benefits,
Old-age, Survivors and Disability Insurance, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Social Security, Vocational rehabilitation.
20 CFR Part 416
Administrative practice and procedure, Aged, Blind, Disability
benefits, Public assistance programs, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Vocational
rehabilitation.
Dated: July 23, 2003.
Jo Anne B. Barnhart,
Commissioner of Social Security.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, we propose to amend parts
404 and 416 of chapter III of title 20 of the Code of Federal
Regulations as set forth below:
PART 404--FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS AND DISABILITY INSURANCE
(1950- )
Subpart D--[Amended]
1. The authority citation for subpart D of part 404 continues to
read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 202, 203(a) and (b), 205(a), 216, 223, 225,
228(a)-(e), and 702(a)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402,
403(a) and (b), 405(a), 416, 423, 425, 428(a)-(e), and 902(a)(5)).
2. Section 404.316 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as
follows:
Sec. 404.316 When entitlement to disability benefits begins and ends.
* * * * *
(c)(1) Your benefits, and those of your dependents, may be
continued after your impairment is no longer disabling if--
(i) You are participating in an appropriate program of vocational
rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support
services, as described in Sec. 404.327(a) and (b);
(ii) You began participating in the program before the date your
disability ended; and
(iii) We have determined under Sec. 404.328 that your completion
of the program, or your continuation in the program for a specified
period of time, will increase the likelihood that you will not have to
return to the disability benefit rolls.
(2) We generally will stop your benefits with the earliest of these
months:
(i) The month in which you complete the program; or
(ii) The month in which you stop participating in the program for
any reason (see Sec. 404.327(b) for what we mean by ``participating''
in the program); or
(iii) The month in which we determine under Sec. 404.328 that your
continuing participation in the program will no longer increase the
likelihood that you will not have to return to the disability benefit
rolls.
Exception: In no case will we stop your benefits within a month
earlier than the second month after the month your disability ends,
provided that you
[[Page 45187]]
meet all other requirements for entitlement to and payment of benefits
through such month.
* * * * *
3. A new undesignated centered heading and new Sec. Sec. 404.327
and 404.328 are added following Sec. 404.325 to read as follows:
Rules Relating to Continuation of Benefits After Your Impairment Is No
Longer Disabling
Sec. 404.327 When you are participating in an appropriate program of
vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services.
(a) What is an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation
services, employment services, or other support services? An
appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment
services, or other support services means--
(1) A program which is carried out under an individual work plan
with an employment network under the Ticket to Work and Self-
Sufficiency Program under part 411 of this chapter;
(2) A program which is carried out under an individualized plan for
employment with a State vocational rehabilitation agency (i.e., a State
agency administering or supervising the administration of a State plan
approved under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended)
under 34 CFR part 361;
(3) A program which is carried out by an organization administering
a Vocational Rehabilitation Services Project for American Indians with
Disabilities authorized under section 121 of part C of title I of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 750 et seq.).
(4) A program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment
services, or other support services which is carried out under a
similar, individualized, written employment plan with another provider
of services approved by us; or
(5) An individualized education program developed under policies
and procedures approved by the Secretary of Education for assistance to
States for the education of children with disabilities under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended (20 U.S.C.
Sec. 1400 et seq.); you must be age 18 through age 21 for this
provision to apply.
(b) When are you participating in the program?
(1) You are participating in the program described in paragraph
(a)(1), (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section when you are taking part in
the activities and services outlined in your individual work plan, your
individualized plan for employment, or your similar, individualized,
written employment plan, as appropriate.
(2) If you are a student age 18 through age 21 receiving services
under an individualized education program described in paragraph (a)(4)
of this section, you are participating in your program when you are
taking part in the activities and services outlined in your
individualized education program.
Sec. 404.328 When your completion of the program, or your
continuation in the program for a specified period of time, will
increase the likelihood that you will not have to return to the
disability benefit rolls.
(a) We will determine that your completion of the program, or your
continuation in the program for a specified period of time, will
increase the likelihood that you will not have to return to the
disability benefit rolls if your completion of or your continuation in
the program will provide you with--
(1) Work experience (see Sec. 404.1565) so that you would be more
likely able to do your past relevant work (see Sec. 404.1560(b)),
despite a possible future reduction in your residual functional
capacity (see Sec. Sec. 404.1545, 404.1561, and 404.1567); or
(2) Education, work experience, or skills so that you would be more
likely able to do other work which exists in the national economy,
despite a possible future reduction in your residual functional
capacity (see Sec. Sec. 404.1545, 404.1561, and 404.1567).
(b) If you are a student age 18 through age 21 participating in an
individualized education program described in Sec. 404.327(a)(4), we
will find that your completion of or continuation in the program will
increase the likelihood that you will not have to return to the
disability benefit rolls.
4. Section 404.337 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as
follows:
Sec. 404.337 When does my entitlement to widow's and widower's
benefits start and end?
* * * * *
(c)(1) Your benefits may be continued after your impairment is no
longer disabling if--
(i) You are participating in an appropriate program of vocational
rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support
services, as described in Sec. 404.327(a) and (b);
(ii) You began participating in the program before the date your
disability ended; and
(iii) We have determined under Sec. 404.328 that your completion
of the program, or your continuation in the program for a specified
period of time, will increase the likelihood that you will not have to
return to the disability benefit rolls.
(2) We generally will stop your benefits with the earliest of these
months:
(i) The month in which you complete the program; or
(ii) The month in which you stop participating in the program for
any reason (see Sec. 404.327(b) for what we mean by ``participating''
in the program); or
(iii) The month in which we determine under Sec. 404.328 that your
continuing participation in the program will no longer increase the
likelihood that you will not have to return to the disability benefit
rolls.
Exception: In no case will we stop your benefits with a month
earlier than the second month after the month your disability ends,
provided that you meet all other requirements for entitlement to and
payment of benefits through such month.
* * * * *
5. Section 404.352 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to read as
follows:
Sec. 404.352 When does my entitlement to child's benefits begin and
end?
* * * * *
(d)(1) Your benefits may be continued after your impairment is no
longer disabling if--
(i) You are participating in an appropriate program of vocational
rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support
services, as described in Sec. 404.327(a) and (b);
(ii) You began participating in the program before the date your
disability ended; and
(iii) We have determined under Sec. 404.328 that your completion
of the program, or your continuation in the program for a specified
period of time, will increase the likelihood that you will not have to
return to the disability benefit rolls.
(2) We generally will stop your benefits with the earliest of these
months:
(i) The month in which you complete the program; or
(ii) The month in which you stop participating in the program for
any reason (see Sec. 404.327(b) for what we mean by ``participating''
in the program); or
(iii) The month in which we determine under Sec. 404.328 that your
continuing participation in the program will no longer increase the
likelihood
[[Page 45188]]
that you will not have to return to the disability benefit rolls.
Exception: In no case will we stop your benefits with a month
earlier than the second month after the month your disability ends,
provided that you meet all other requirements for entitlement to and
payment of benefits through such month.
* * * * *
Subpart J--[Amended]
6. The authority citation for subpart J of part 404 continues to
read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 201(j), 204(f), 205(a), (b), (d)-(h), and (j),
221, 225, and 702(a)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
401(j), 404(f), 405(a), (b), (d)-(h), and (j), 421, 425, and
902(a)(5)); 31 U.S.C. 3720A; sec. 5, Pub. L. 97-455, 96 Stat. 2500
(42 U.S.C. 405 note); secs. 5, 6(c)-(e), and 15, Pub. L. 98-460, 98
Stat. 1802 (42 U.S.C. 421 note).
7. Section 404.902 is amended by revising paragraph (s) to read as
follows:
Sec. 404.902 Administrative actions that are initial determinations.
* * * * *
(s) Whether your completion of, or continuation for a specified
period of time in, an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation
services, employment services, or other support services will increase
the likelihood that you will not have to return to the disability
benefit rolls, and thus, whether your benefits may be continued even
though you are not disabled;
* * * * *
Subpart P--[Amended]
8. The authority citation for subpart P of part 404 continues to
read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 202, 205(a), (b), and (d)-(h), 216(i), 221(a)
and (i), 222(c), 223, 225, and 702(a)(5) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 402, 405(a), (b), and (d)-(h), 416(i), 421(a) and (i),
422(c), 423, 425, and 902(a)(5)); sec. 211(b), Pub. L. 104-193, 110
Stat. 2105, 2189.
9. Section 404.1586 is amended by revising paragraph (g) to read as
follows:
Sec. 404.1586 Why and when we will stop your cash benefits.
* * * * *
(g) If you are in an appropriate program of vocational
rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support
services.
(1) Your benefits, and those of your dependents, may be continued
after your impairment is no longer disabling if--
(i) You are participating in an appropriate program of vocational
rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support
services, as described in Sec. 404.327(a) and (b);
(ii) You began participating in the program before the date your
disability ended; and
(iii) We have determined under Sec. 404.328 that your completion
of the program, or your continuation in the program for a specified
period of time, will increase the likelihood that you will not have to
return to the disability benefit rolls.
(2) We generally will stop your benefits with the earliest of these
months:
(i) The month in which you complete the program; or
(ii) The month in which you stop participating in the program for
any reason (see Sec. 404.327(b) for what we mean by ``participating''
in the program); or
(iii) The month in which we determine under Sec. 404.328 that your
continuing participation in the program will no longer increase the
likelihood that you will not have to return to the disability benefit
rolls.
Exception: In no case will we stop your benefits with a month
earlier than the second month after the month your disability ends,
provided that you meet all other requirements for entitlement to and
payment of benefits through such month.
10. In Sec. 404.1596, the heading and introductory text of
paragraph (c) are republished, and paragraph (c)(4) is revised to read
as follows:
Sec. 404.1596 Circumstances under which we may suspend your benefits
before we make a determination.
* * * * *
(c) When we will not suspend your cash benefits. We will not
suspend your cash benefits if--
(4) Even though your impairment is no longer disabling,
* * * * *
(i) You are participating in an appropriate program of vocational
rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support
services, as described in Sec. 404.327(a) and (b);
(ii) You began participating in the program before the date your
disability ended; and
(iii) We have determined under Sec. 404.328 that your completion
of the program, or your continuation in the program for a specified
period of time, will increase the likelihood that you will not have to
return to the disability benefit rolls.
11. Section 404.1597 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read
as follows:
Sec. 404.1597 After we make a determination that you are not now
disabled.
(a) General. If we determine that you do not meet the disability
requirements of the law, your benefits generally will stop. We will
send you a formal written notice telling you why we believe you are not
disabled and when your benefits should stop. If your spouse and
children are receiving benefits on your social security number, we will
also stop their benefits and tell them why. The notices will explain
your right to reconsideration if you disagree with our determination.
However, your benefits may continue even though your impairment is no
longer disabling, if you are participating in an appropriate program of
vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services (see Sec. 404.327). You must have started
participating in the program before the date your disability ended. In
addition, we must have determined that your completion of the program,
or your continuation in the program for a specified period of time,
will increase the likelihood that you will not have to return to the
disability benefit rolls. (See Sec. Sec. 404.316(c), 404.328,
404.337(c), 404.352(d), and 404.1586(g)). You may still appeal our
determination that you are not disabled even though your benefits are
continuing because of your participation in an appropriate program of
vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services. You may also appeal a determination that your
completion of the program, or your continuation in the program for a
specified period of time, will not increase the likelihood that you
will not have to return to the disability benefit rolls and, therefore,
you are not entitled to continue to receive benefits.
* * * * *
PART 416--SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND
DISABLED
Subpart M--[Amended]
12. The authority citation for subpart M of part 416 is revised to
read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 702(a)(5), 1129A, 1611-1615, 1619, and 1631 of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 902(a)(5), 1320a-8a, 1382-1382d,
1382h, and 1383).
13. Section 416.1321 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to read
as follows:
Sec. 416.1321 Suspensions; general.
* * * * *
(d) Exception. Even though conditions described in paragraph (a) of
this section apply because your impairment is no longer disabling or
you are no longer blind under Sec. 416.986(a)(1), (a)(2)
[[Page 45189]]
or (b), we will not suspend your benefits for this reason if--
(1) You are participating in an appropriate program of vocational
rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support
services, as described in Sec. 416.1338(c) and (d);
(2) You began participating in the program before the date your
disability or blindness ended; and
(3) We have determined under Sec. 416.1338(e) that your completion
of the program, or your continuation in the program for a specified
period of time, will increase the likelihood that you will not have to
return to the disability or blindness benefit rolls.
14. Section 416.1331 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) and (b)
to read as follows:
Sec. 416.1331 Termination of your disability or blindness payments.
(a) General. The last month for which we can pay you benefits based
on disability or blindness is the second month after the month in which
your disability or blindness ends. (See Sec. Sec. 416.987(e),
416.994(b)(6) and 416.994a(g) for when disability ends, and Sec.
416.986 for when blindness ends.) See Sec. 416.1338 for an exception
to this rule if you are participating in an appropriate program of
vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services. You must meet the income, resources, and other
eligibility requirements to receive any of the benefits referred to in
this paragraph. We will also stop payment of your benefits if you have
not cooperated with us in getting information about your disability or
blindness.
(b) After we make a determination that you are not now disabled or
blind. If we determine that you do not meet the disability or blindness
requirements of the law, we will send you an advance written notice
telling you why we believe you are not disabled or blind and when your
benefits should stop. The notice will explain your right to appeal if
you disagree with our determination. You may still appeal our
determination that you are not now disabled or blind even though your
payments are continuing because of your participation in an appropriate
program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or
other support services. You may also appeal a determination that your
completion of, or continuation for a specified period of time in, an
appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment
services, or other support services will not increase the likelihood
that you will not have to return to the disability or blindness benefit
rolls and, therefore, you are not eligible to continue to receive
benefits.
* * * * *
15. Section 416.1338 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 416.1338 If you are participating in an appropriate program of
vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services.
(a) When may your benefits based on disability or blindness be
continued? Your benefits based on disability or blindness may be
continued after your impairment is no longer disabling, you are no
longer blind as determined under Sec. 416.986(a)(1), (a)(2) or (b), or
your disability has ended as determined under Sec. 416.987(b) and
(e)(1) in an age-18 redetermination, if--
(1) You are participating in an appropriate program of vocational
rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support
services, as described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section;
(2) You began participating in the program before the date your
disability or blindness ended; and
(3) We have determined under paragraph (e) of this section that
your completion of the program, or your continuation in the program for
a specified period of time, will increase the likelihood that you will
not have to return to the disability or blindness benefit rolls.
(b) When will we stop your benefits? We generally will stop your
benefits with the earliest of these months:
(1) The month in which you complete the program; or
(2) The month in which you stop participating in the program for
any reason (see paragraph (d) of this section for what we mean by
``participating'' in the program); or
(3) The month in which we determine under paragraph (e) of this
section that your continuing participation in the program will no
longer increase the likelihood that you will not have to return to the
disability or blindness benefit rolls.
Exception: In no case will we stop your benefits with a month
earlier than the second month after the month your disability or
blindness ends, provided that you are otherwise eligible for benefits
through such month.
(c) What is an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation
services, employment services, or other support services? An
appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment
services, or other support services means--
(1) A program which is carried out under an individual work plan
with an employment network under the Ticket to Work and Self-
Sufficiency Program under part 411 of this chapter;
(2) A program which is carried out under an individualized plan for
employment with a State vocational rehabilitation agency (i.e., a State
agency administering or supervising the administration of a State plan
approved under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended)
under 34 CFR part 361;
(3) A program which is carried out by an organization administering
a Vocational Rehabilitation Services Project for American Indians with
Disabilities authorized under section 121 of part C of title I of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 750 et seq.).
(4) A program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment
services, or other support services which is carried out under a
similar, individualized, written employment plan with another provider
of services approved by us; or
(5) An individualized education program developed under policies
and procedures approved by the Secretary of Education for assistance to
States for the education of children with disabilities under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1400
et seq.); you must be age 18 through age 21 for this provision to
apply.
(d) When are you participating in the program?
(1) You are participating in the program described in paragraph
(c)(1), (c)(2), or (c)(3) of this section when you are engaging in the
activities outlined in your individual work plan, your individualized
plan for employment, or your similar, individualized, written
employment plan, as appropriate.
(2) If you are a student age 18 through age 21 taking part in
services and activities under an individualized education program
described in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, you are participating in
your program when you are taking part in the activities and services
outlined in your individualized education program.
(e) How will we determine whether or not your completion of the
program, or your continuation in the program for a specified period of
time, will increase the likelihood that you will not have to return to
the disability or blindness benefit rolls?
(1) We will determine that your completion of the program, or your
continuation in the program for a specified period of time, will
increase the likelihood that you will not have to return to the
disability or blindness
[[Page 45190]]
benefit rolls if your completion of or your continuation in the program
will provide you with--
(i) Work experience (see Sec. 416.965) so that you would be more
likely able to do your past relevant work (see Sec. 416.960(b)),
despite a possible future reduction in your residual functional
capacity (see Sec. Sec. 416.945, 416.961, and 416.967); or
(ii) Education (see Sec. 416.964), work experience, or skills (see
Sec. 416.968) so that you would be more likely able to do other work
which exists in the national economy, despite a possible future
reduction in your residual functional capacity (see Sec. Sec. 416.945,
416.961, and 416.967).
(2) If you are a student age 18 through age 21 participating in an
individualized education program described in paragraph (c)(4) of this
section, we will find that your completion of or continuation in the
program will increase the likelihood that you will not have to return
to the disability or blindness benefit rolls.
Subpart N--[Amended]
16. The authority citation for subpart N of part 416 continues to
read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 702(a)(5), 1631, and 1633 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 902(a)(5), 1383, and 1383b).
17. Section 416.1402 is amended by revising paragraph (j) to read
as follows:
Sec. 416.1402 Administrative actions that are initial determinations.
* * * * *
(j) Whether your completion of, or continuation for a specified
period of time in, an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation
services, employment services, or other support services will increase
the likelihood that you will not have to return to the disability or
blindness benefit rolls, and thus, whether your benefits may be
continued even though you are not disabled or blind;
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 03-19541 Filed 7-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P