[Federal Register: October 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 196)]
[Notices]               
[Page 55335]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12oc99-174]                         


[[Page 55335]]

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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

 
Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Emergency 
Review by the Office of Management and Budget

    The Social Security Administration publishes a list of information 
collection packages that will require clearance by OMB in compliance 
with Public Law 104-13 effective October 1, 1995, The Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection listed below has been 
submitted to OMB for emergency clearance. OMB approval has been 
requested by October 19, 1999. Comments will be most useful if received 
before that date.
    0960-NEW. SSA has contracted with the Gallup Organization to 
conduct surveys to gather data on the public's level of knowledge about 
Social Security programs. The 1998 Public Understanding Measurement 
System survey (PUMS) indicated that 45 percent of the population have a 
lack of understanding of the major Social Security program areas. The 
1999 and future Public Understanding Measurement System surveys (PUMS 
II) will enable SSA to build upon the 1998 PUMS quantitative baseline 
measure of public understanding. An annual survey will provide annual 
tracking data of public understanding of SSA programs against which the 
outcomes of SSA performance improvement efforts can be assessed. 
Quarterly targeted surveys in 16 SSA areas will test the effectiveness 
of several specific communications and public information outreach 
efforts.
    PUMS II is essential to SSA's goal of strengthening public 
understanding about Social Security programs. The relevant Agency goal 
contained in SSA's strategic plan is that by the year 2005, 90 percent 
of all American adults will be knowledgeable about Social Security 
programs in five broad areas: basic program facts; the financial value 
of programs to individuals; the economic and social impact of SSA 
programs; how the programs are financed today; and financing issues. 
The respondents will be randomly selected adults residing in the United 
States.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Annual     Quarterly
                                                  surveys      Surveys
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Respondents.........................        4,000       12,000
Frequency of Response.........................            1            1
Average Burden Per Response...................       \1\ 12       \1\ 12
Estimated Annual Burden.......................      \2\ 800   \2\ 2,400
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In minutes.
\2\ In hours.

    To receive a copy of the surveys or the clearance packages, call 
the SSA Reports Clearance Officer on (410) 965-4145 or write to him at 
the address listed below. Written comments and recommendations 
regarding the information collection(s) should be directed to the OMB 
Desk Officer and SSA Reports Clearance Officer at the following 
addresses:

(OMB) Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Lori Schack, New Executive 
Office Building, Room 10230, 725 17th St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20503.
(SSA) Social Security Administration, DCFAM, Attn: Frederick W. 
Brickenkamp, 6401 Security Blvd., 1-A-21 Operations Bldg., Baltimore, 
MD 21235.

    Dated: October 5, 1999.
Frederick W. Brickenkamp,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-26460 Filed 10-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4190-29-P