Federal Register: November 7, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 216)
DOCID: FR Doc 03-28031
RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
Railroad Retirement Board
CFR Citation: 20 CFR Part 321
RIN ID: RIN 3220-AB57
NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES
ACTION: Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Electronic Filing of Applications and Claims for Benefits Under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act
DATES: Submit comments on or before January 6, 2004.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Railroad Retirement Board (Board) proposes to amend its regulations to permit the filing of applications and claims for benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act via the Internet. The Government Paperwork Elimination Act provides that Federal agencies are required to provide ``for the option of the electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information, when practicable as a substitute for paper''. This proposed new part will permit the filing of applications and claims for benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act electronically.
SUMMARY:
Applications and claims for benefits; electronic filing,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The amendments would add a new part 321 to the Board's regulations (20 CFR 321) to permit the filing of applications and claims for benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act via the Internet. The Government Paperwork Elimination Act, Public Law 105277, sections 17011710 (codified as 44 U.S.C. 3504n) provides that Federal agencies are required to provide ``for the option of the electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information, when practicable as a substitute for paper''. The proposed part 321 will permit the filing of applications and claims for benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act electronically.
The new part 321 provides that both an application and claims for benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act may be filed electronically through the Board's Web site utilizing a User ID/PIN/ Password system. The new part further provides that determinations regarding those applications and claims will be adjudicated in accord with established procedures.
In establishing the authenticity of the person who is filing an application or claim for benefits, the Board intends to use a User ID/ PIN/Password system for identification as a substitute for a signature.
The Board currently uses a User ID/PIN/password system to allow employers access to RRBLINK to make electronic tax deposits and submit Form DC1, ``Employer's Quarterly Report of Contributions Under the RUIA'' (Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act) electronically. A PIN/ password system is used to access the Pay.gov website. The U.S. Department of the Treasury operates the Pay.gov website. Such a system also is consistent with the guidance provided by the Department of Justice regarding the use of electronic processes. The Board has also proposed amending its regulations to permit the filing of an application for benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act using the same User ID/PIN/password system.
The Board, with the concurrence of the Office of Management and Budget, has determined that this is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. Therefore, no regulatory analysis is required. The Office of Management and Budget has approved information collections associated with this rule under control numbers 32200022, 32200039, and 32200198.
List of Subjects in 20 CFR Part 321
Claims, Railroad unemployment insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Railroad Retirement
Board proposes to amend title 20, chapter II, of the Code of Federal Regulations by adding a new part 321 to read as follows:
PART 321ELECTRONIC FILING OF APPLICATIONS AND CLAIMS FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT
Sec.
321.1 Filing applications electronically.
321.2 Filing claims for benefits electronically.
Authority: 45 U.S.C. 355 and 362(l).
Sec. 321.1 Filing applications electronically.
(a) Electronic filing. An application for benefits under the
Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act may be filed electronically through
the Board's Web site, http://www.rrb.gov, utilizing a User ID/PIN/ Password.
(b) Adjudication of applications filed electronically. An
application filed electronically shall be adjudicated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this part.
(c) Date of filing. The date of filing for an application filed
electronically shall be the date that the electronic filing of the
application is accepted by the Board's electronic system. If an attempt
to file an application through the Board's electronic system is
unsuccessful and is rejected by that system, the claimant must submit
another application. If the subsequent application, filed either
electronically or on paper, is received by the Board within 30 days
from the date of the notification that the initial filing attempt was
rejected, the Board will establish the filing date of the subsequent
application as the date the rejected application was attempted to be filed.
Sec. 321.2 Filing claims for benefits electronically.
(a) Electronic Filing. A claim for benefits under the Railroad
Unemployment Insurance Act may be filed electronically through the
Board's website, http://www.rrb.gov, utilizing a User ID/PIN/Password.
(b) Adjudication of claims filed electronically. A claim for
benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act filed
electronically shall be adjudicated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this part.
(c) Date of filing. The date of filing for a claim for benefits
under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act filed electronically shall be the date that the
[[Page 63042]]
electronic filing of the claim is accepted by the Board's electronic
system. If an attempt to file a claim for benefits under the Railroad
Unemployment Insurance Act is unsuccessful and is rejected by the
Board's electronic system, the claimant must submit another claim for
benefits. If the subsequent claim for benefits, either filed
electronically or on paper, is received by the Board within 30 days
from the date of the notification that the initial filing was rejected,
the Board will establish the filing date of the subsequent claim as the date the rejected claim was attempted to be filed.
Dated: November 3, 2003.
By Authority of the Board.
Beatrice Ezerski,
Secretary to the Board.
[FR Doc. 0328031 Filed 11603; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 790501P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Marguerite P. Dadabo, Assistant General Counsel, (312) 7514945, TTD (312) 7514701.