[Federal Register: May 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 103)]
[Notices]
[Page 30656-30659]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28my08-76]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of
information collection packages requiring clearance by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with Public Law (Pub. L.)
104-13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, effective October 1, 1995.
This notice includes new information collections, revisions to OMB-
approved information collections and extensions (no change) of OMB-
approved information collections.
SSA is soliciting comments on the accuracy of the Agency's burden
estimate; the need for the information; its practical utility; ways to
enhance its quality, utility and clarity; and how to minimize the
burden on respondents, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology. Mail, e-mail or
fax your comments and recommendations on the information collection(s)
to the OMB Desk Officer and the SSA Reports Clearance Officer to the
addresses or fax numbers listed below.
(OMB), Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA,
Fax: 202-395-6974, E-mail address: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov.
(SSA), Social Security Administration, DCBFM, Attn: Reports
Clearance Officer, 1333 Annex Building, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore,
MD 21235, Fax: 410-965-6400, E-mail address: OPLM.RCO@ssa.gov.
SSA has submitted the information collections listed below. Your
comments on the information collections will be most useful if OMB and
SSA receive them within 30 days from the date of this publication. You
can request a copy of the information collections by e-mail,
OPLM.RCO@ssa.gov, fax 410-965-6400, or by calling the SSA Reports
Clearance Officer at 410-965-0454.
1. Report to United States Social Security Administration by Person
Receiving Benefits for a Child or for an Adult Unable to Handle Funds/
Report to the United States Social Security Administration--0960-0049.
SSA needs the information on Forms SSA-7161-OCR-SM and SSA-7162-OCR-SM
to: (1) Determine continuing entitlement to Social Security benefits:
(2) correct benefit amounts for beneficiaries outside the United
States: and (3) monitor the performance of representative payees
outside the United States. The respondents are individuals living
outside the United States who are receiving benefits on their own (or
for someone else) under Title II of the Social Security Act.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Frequency of burden per Estimated annual burden
Form number Number of respondents response response (hours)
(minutes)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-7161-OCR-SM............................................... 28,461 1 15 7,115
SSA-7162-OCR-SM............................................... 247,136 1 5 20,595
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Totals.................................................... 275,597 .............. .............. 27,710
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2. Questionnaire About Employment or Self-Employment Outside the
United States--20 CFR 404.401(b)(1), 404.415 & 404.417--0960-0050. SSA
uses Form SSA-7163 to determine: (1) Whether work performed by
beneficiaries outside the United States is cause for deductions from
their monthly benefits: (2) which of two work tests (foreign or regular
test) is applicable; and (3) the number of months, if any, for SSA-
imposed deductions. Respondents are beneficiaries living and working
outside the United States.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 20,000.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 12 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 4,000 hours.
3. Petition to Obtain Approval of a Fee for Representing a Claimant
before the Social Security Administration--20 CFR 404.1720, 404.1725,
416.1520 & 416.1525--0960-0104. Representatives use Form SSA-1560 to
charge a fee for representing a claimant in proceedings before SSA. A
representative must file either a fee petition or fee agreement with
SSA. If the representative files a fee petition (Form SSA-1560) to
obtain approval of a fee, SSA reviews the information to determine a
reasonable fee for the representative's services. Respondents are
attorneys and non-attorneys who represent claimants for Social Security
benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 34,624.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 30 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 17,312 hours.
4. Annual Earnings Test Direct Mail Follow-Up Program Notices--20
CFR 404.452-404.455--0960-0369. The Mid-Year Mailer ensures Social
Security payments are correct. Beneficiaries under full retirement age
(FRA) use Forms SSA-L9778, SSA-L9779, and SSA-L9781 to update their
current year estimate and their estimate for the
[[Page 30657]]
following year. Beneficiaries use Mid-Year Mailer Forms SSA-L9784 and
SSA-L9785 to request earnings estimates in the year of FRA for the
period prior to the month of FRA. Beneficiaries will use new Form SSA-
L9790 to report earnings information at the end of the year. The
respondents are working Retirement Survivors Insurance beneficiaries
with earnings over the exempt amount.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 460,000.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 10 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 76,667 hours.
5. Electronic Benefit Verification Information (BEVE)--20 CFR
401.40--0960-0595. The electronic proof of income (POI) verification
Internet service, BEVE, provides beneficiaries the convenience of
requesting a proof of income statement through the Internet.
Beneficiaries often require a POI to obtain housing, food stamps, or
other public services. SSA uses the information BEVE collects to
provide the POI to the beneficiary, after verifying the requestor's
identity. The respondents are Social Security Title II, Title XVI, and
Medicare beneficiaries.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 314,974.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 26,248 hours.
6. Application for Survivors Benefits--20 CFR 404.611(a) and (c)--
0960-0062. Surviving family members of armed services personnel can
file for Social Security and Veterans' benefits at SSA or the Veterans
Administration (VA). If applicants go to the VA first, they complete
Form SSA-24, the Application for Survivor's Benefits. The VA then
forwards Form SSA-24 to SSA for processing. If applicants previously
filed for benefits at SSA, the Agency disregards this form. The
respondents are survivors of deceased armed services personnel who are
applying for benefits at the VA.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 3,200.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 15 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 800 hours.
7. Quarterly Statistical Report on Recipients and Payments under
State-Administered Assistance Programs for Aged, Blind and Disabled
(Individuals and Couples) Recipients--20 CFR 416.2010, 20 CFR
416.2098--0960-0130. States with agreements with SSA under the State
supplementation provisions of the Social Security Act must provide
statistical data to SSA. State Disability Determination Services (DDS)
inform SSA of expenditures and caseloads of State-administered
supplements under the Supplemental Security Income program. SSA needs
the data from this report to: (1) Supplement the information it already
has about federally-administered programs; (2) more fully explain the
effect of the public income support programs on the needy, aged, blind,
and disabled; and (3) monitor State compliance with the mandatory pass-
along provision. States and other Federal agencies use data from this
report as well for various purposes. The respondents are State DDSs.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 31.
Frequency of Response: 4.
Average Burden Per Response: 60 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 124 hours.
8. Employee Work Activity Questionnaire--20 CFR 404.1574,
404.1592--0960-0483. Social Security disability claimants qualify for
benefits when a verified physical or mental impairment prevents them
from working. If disability claimants attempt to return to work after
receiving disability benefits but are unable to continue working, they
submit Form SSA-3033, the Employee Work Activity Questionnaire, so SSA
can evaluate the work attempt. SSA also uses this form to evaluate
unsuccessful subsidy work. Ultimately, SSA uses the form to determine
applicants' continuing eligibility for disability benefits. The
respondents are employers of Social Security disability beneficiaries
who unsuccessfully attempted to return to work.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 15,000.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 15 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 3,750 hours.
9. Medical Permit Parking Application--41 CFR 101-20.104-2--0960-
0624. SSA employees and contractors with a qualifying medical condition
who park at SSA-owned and -leased facilities may receive a medical
parking permit. SSA uses three forms as part of this program: SSA-3192,
the Physician's Report (which the applicant's physician completes to
verify the medical condition); Form SSA-3193, the Application and
Statement (which the person seeking the permit completes when first
applying for the medical parking space); and Form SSA-3194, the Renewal
Certification (which medical parking permit holders complete to verify
their continued need for the permit). The respondents are SSA employees
and contractors seeking medical parking permits and their physicians.
Note: Because SSA employees are federal workers and are PRA-exempt, the
burden below is only for SSA contractors and physicians (of both SSA
employees and contractors).
Type of Request: Revision to an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Number of Frequency of burden per Estimated
respondents response response annual burden
(minutes) (hours)
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SSA-3192........................................ 75 1 90 113
SSA-3193........................................ 75 1 30 38
SSA-3194........................................ 10 1 5 1
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Totals...................................... 160 .............. .............. 152
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10. Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security
Administration--0960-0602. A wage earner or an organization may request
detailed earnings information from SSA. SSA collects the information on
the SSA-581 to identify the earnings record, verify authorized access
to the earnings record, and produce an itemized statement for release
to the proper party. The respondents are various private/
[[Page 30658]]
public organizations/agencies needing detailed earnings information.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 33,000.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 2 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 1,100 hours.
11. Statement Regarding the Inferred Death of an Individual by
Reason of Continued and Unexplained Absence--20 CFR 404.720 & 404.721--
0960-0002. Section 202(d)-(i) of the Social Security Act provides for
the payment of various monthly survivor benefits and a lump sum death
payment to certain survivors upon the death of an individual who dies
fully or currently insured. If a person has been absent from his or her
residence and has not been heard from for at least 7 years, SSA will
presume he or she is deceased. SSA collects information on Form SSA-
723-F4 to determine if SSA may presume a missing wage earner is
deceased and, if so, to establish a date of presumed death. The
respondents are persons having knowledge about the disappearance of a
wage earner.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 3,000.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 30 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 1,500 hours.
12. Railroad Employment Questionnaire--20 CFR 404.1401, 404.1406-
404.1408--0960-0078. SSA uses the data on the SSA-671 to secure
sufficient information to effect the required coordination with the
Railroad Retirement Board for Social Security claims processing. SSA
obtains data whenever claimants give indications of employment in the
railroad industry. The respondents are applicants for Social Security
benefits employed by a railroad or dependents of railroad workers.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 125,000.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 10,417 hours.
13. Government Pension Questionnaire--20 CFR 404.408a--0960-0160.
The Social Security Act and regulations provide an individual receiving
spousal benefits and concurrently receiving a Government pension based
on his or her own earnings not covered by Social Security may have the
amount of the Social Security benefit reduced by two-thirds the amount
of the Government pension. SSA uses the information on the SSA-3885 to
determine whether the individual's Social Security benefit is subject
to reduction, the amount of the reduction, the effective date of the
reduction, and whether one of the exceptions in 20 CFR 404.408a
applies. The respondents are individuals receiving spousal benefits and
a Government pension.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 30,000.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 12.5 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 6,250 hours.
14. Teacher Questionnaire and Request for Administrative
Information--20 CFR 416.1103(f)--0960-0646. SSA must consider all
relevant evidence when determining a child's disability under Title XVI
of the Social Security Act. When determining the effects of a child's
(or other individual's) impairment(s), SSA must obtain information
about the child's functioning. Using Forms SSA-5665 and SSA-5666, SSA
obtains formal testing results, teacher reports, therapy progress
notes, individualized education program information and other records
of a child's educational aptitude and achievement. The respondents are
parents, teachers and other education personnel.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Number of Frequency of burden per Total annual
Form number respondents response response burden (hours)
(minutes)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-5665-BK..................................... 618,000 1 20 206,000
SSA-5666........................................ 615,000 1 15 153,750
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Totals...................................... 1,233,000 .............. .............. 359,750
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SSA has made a correction to this Notice. Previously we
inadvertently published the burden information for only one of the
forms. We are now including a chart to show the information for both
forms.
15. Statement of Income and Resources--20 CFR 416.207, 146.301--
416.310, 416.704, and 416.708--0960-0124. SSA collects information
about income and resources on form SSA-8010-BK in Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) claims and redeterminations. SSA uses the information to
make initial or continuing eligibility determinations for SSI
claimants/recipients who are subject to deeming. The respondents are
persons whose income and resources may be deemed (considered available)
to applicants or beneficiaries of SSI benefits.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Number of Respondents: 341,000.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 26 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 147,767 hours.
16. Medicare Part D Subsidies Regulations--20 CFR Part 418--0960-
0702. The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement, and Modernization Act
of 2003 (MMA) established the Medicare Part D program for voluntary
prescription drug coverage of premium, deductible, and co-payment costs
for certain low-income individuals. The MMA also mandated the provision
of subsidies for those individuals who qualify for the program and who
meet eligibility criteria for help with premium, deductible, and/or co-
payment costs.
This law requires SSA to make eligibility determinations and to
provide a process for appealing SSA's determinations. Regulation
sections 418.3625(c), 418.3645, 418.3665(a), and 418.3670 contain
public reporting requirements, listed below. Respondents are applicants
for the Medicare Part D subsidies who request an administrative review
hearing.
Type of Request: Revision to an existing OMB-approved information
collection.
[[Page 30659]]
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Average
Annual number Frequency of burden per Estimated
Section of response response annual burden
respondents (minutes) (hours)
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Sec. 418.3625(c) One may request in writing a 2,500 1 5 208
change in date/time for an administrative
review hearing.................................
Sec. 418.3645 One may request in writing a 10 1 20 3
different person to conduct the administrative
hearing if they suspect bias...................
Sec. 418.3665(a) One may withdraw their 1,000 1 5 83
request in writing for an administrative review
hearing........................................
Sec. 418.3670 Applicants may ask SSA to vacate 5 1 10 1
their previous request to dismiss an
administrative review hearing..................
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Total....................................... 3,515 .............. .............. 295
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Dated: May 22, 2008.
Elizabeth A. Davidson,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-11898 Filed 5-27-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P