[Federal Register: August 21, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 161)]
[Notices]
[Page 46699-46700]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21au07-125]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No. SSA 2007-0064]
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration
(VBA)--Match Number 1309
AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).
ACTION: Notice of the renewal of an existing computer matching program
which is scheduled to expire on October 1, 2007.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as
amended, this notice announces the renewal of an existing computer
matching program that SSA is currently conducting with VA.
DATES: SSA will file a report of the subject matching program with the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives; and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The renewal of the matching
program will be effective as indicated below.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by either
telefaxing to (410) 965-8582 or writing to the Associate Commissioner
for Income Security Programs, 252 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:
A. General
The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. L.
100-503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by describing the
conditions under which computer matching involving the Federal
government 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
[[Page 46700]]
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: August 3, 2007.
Manuel J. Vaz,
Acting Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.
Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration
(SSA) With the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits
Administration (VBA)
A. Participating Agencies
SSA and VA.
B. Purpose of the Matching Program
The purpose of this matching program is to establish the
conditions, terms and safeguards under which VA agrees to disclose VA
compensation and pension payment data to SSA. This disclosure will
provide SSA with information necessary to verify an individual's self-
certification of eligibility for prescription drug subsidy assistance
under section 1860D-14 of the Social Security Act (Act)(42 U.S.C.
1395w-114). The disclosure will also enable SSA to implement a Medicare
outreach program mandated by section 1144 of title XI of the Social
Security Act. Information disclosed by VA will enable SSA to identify
individuals to determine their eligibility for Medicare Savings
Programs (MSP) and subsidized Medicare prescription drug coverage and
enable SSA, in turn, to identify these individuals to the States.
C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program
The legal authority for SSA to conduct this matching activity is
contained in section 1860D-14 (42 U.S.C. 1395w-114) and section 1144
(42 U.S.C. 1320b-14) of the Act.
D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Matching
Program
VA will provide SSA with electronic files containing compensation
and pension payment data from its system of records entitled the
Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records-VA (58VA21/
22). Routine use 46 for VA permits the disclosure of this information.
SSA will then match VA data with SSA SOR 60-0321, the MDB.
SSA has published notice of its new system of records, which
establishes as a routine use the disclosure of information in the MDB
to VA only for the purpose of supporting SSA in the administration of
the prescription drug subsidy program under the MMA of 2003 (No. 60-
0321, published at 69 Federal Register 77816, December 28, 2004; and 71
Federal Register 42159-42164, July 25, 2006).
E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program
The matching program will become effective upon signing of the
agreement by all parties to the agreement and approval of the agreement
by the Data Integrity Boards of the respective agencies, but no sooner
than 40 days after notice of the matching program is sent to Congress
and the Office of Management and Budget, or 30 days after publication
of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever date 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. E7-16465 Filed 8-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P