Federal Register: September 24, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 184)
DOCID: fr24se09-98 FR Doc E9-23074
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Social Security Administration
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr24se09-98
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
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 10413, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, effective October 1, 1995. This notice includes revisions and extensions of OMBapproved 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 ways to minimize the
burden on respondents, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology. Mail, email, or
fax your comments and recommendations on the information collection(s)
to the OMB Desk Officer and the SSA Director for Reports Clearance to the addresses or fax numbers shown below.
(OMB), Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA,
Fax: 2023956974, Email address: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov.
(SSA), Social Security Administration, DCBFM, Attn: Director,
Center for Reports Clearance, 1333 Annex Building, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235, Fax: 4109650454, Email address:
OPLM.RCO@ssa.gov.
I. The information collection below is pending at SSA. SSA will submit it to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than November 23, 2009. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instrument by calling the SSA Director for Reports Clearance at 410 9650454 or by writing to the above email address.
1. Application for Widow's or Widower's Insurance Benefits20 CFR 404.335404.338, 404.60309600004. SSA uses the information on the SSA10BK to determine whether the applicant meets the statutory and regulatory conditions for entitlement to widow(er)'s Social Security Title II benefits. The respondents are applicants for widow's or widower's benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 341,560.
Average burden
Collection method Number of per response Burden hours
respondents (minutes)
MCS............................................................. 162,241 15 40,560
MCS/Signature Proxy............................................. 162,241 14 37,856
Paper........................................................... 17,078 15 4,270
Totals:..................................................... 341,560 .............. 82,686
Estimated Annual Burden: 82,686 hours.
2. Substitution of Party upon Death of Claimant20 CFR
404.957(c)(4) and 416.1457(c)(4)09600288. SSA collects information on Form HA539
[[Page 48796]]
when a claimant for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income
benefits dies while his or her request for a hearing is pending. The
information SSA collects establishes a written record of the request of
any individual who asks to be made a substitute party for a deceased
claimant. It also facilitates a decision by SSA on whom, if anyone,
should become a substitute party for the deceased. The Administrative
Law Judge and the hearing office support staff use this information to:
(1) Establish the relationship of the requester to the deceased
claimant; (2) determine the substituted individual's wishes regarding
an oral hearing or decision on the record; and (3) admit the data into
the claimant's official record as an exhibit. The respondents are
individuals requesting to be made a substitute party for a deceased claimant.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 4,000.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 333 hours.
3. NonAttorney Representative Demonstration Project Application 20 CFR 404.1745404.1799 and 20 CFR 416.1545416.159909600699. Section 303 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004 (SSPA) provides for a 5year demonstration project under which SSA extends the direct payment of approved fees to certain nonattorney claimant representatives. Under the SSPA, to be eligible for direct payment of fees, a nonattorney representative must fulfill the following statutory requirements: (1) Possess a bachelors degree or have equivalent qualifications from training and work experience; (2) pass an examination that tests knowledge of the relevant provisions of the Social Security Act; (3) secure professional liability insurance or equivalent insurance; (4) pass a criminal background check; and (5) demonstrate completion of relevant continuing education courses. Through the services of a private contractor, SSA must collect the requested information to determine if a nonattorney representative has met the statutory requirements to be eligible for direct payment of fees for his or her claimant representation services. SSA needs this information to comply with the legislation. The respondents are non attorney representatives who apply for direct payment of fees.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 700.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 60 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 700 hours.
4. Medicare Part B IncomeRelated Monthly Adjustment Amount Subsidies Regulations20 CFR 41809600741. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 established the Medicare Part B program for voluntary prescription drug coverage of premium, deductible, and copayment costs for certain lowincome individuals. The incomerelated monthly adjustment amount represents the amount of decrease in the Medicare Part B premium subsidy; i.e., the amount of the Federal Government's contribution to the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. SSA uses these regulations to determine when a monthly adjustment amount to a beneficiary's standard monthly premium under Medicare Part B occurs. The respondents are applicants for the Medicare Part B incomerelated monthly adjustment amount. The regulations sections below contain public reporting requirements for which no OMBapproved forms exist.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMBapproved information collection.
Average burden Estimated
Section Number of Frequency of per response annual burden
respondents response (minutes) (hours)
Situation in which beneficiaries ask SSA to 9,820 1 30 4,910 examine a different tax return than the one
they originally used to make their
determination: Sec. 418.1310(a)
Situations related to requests for new initial 160,000 1 30 80,000 determinations based on beneficiary reports
that a major lifechanging event has
significantly reduced their MAGI: Sec.
418.1005(c) Sec. 418.1250 Sec. 418.1255
Sec. 418.1265
Situations related to requests for additional 1,045 1 30 523 new initial determinations and updates of MAGI
that a beneficiary provided for a new initial
determination: Sec. 418.1235 (c)(d)Sec.
418.1240 Sec. 418.1245
Total 170,865 .............. .............. 85,433
Estimated Annual Burden: 85,433.
II. SSA has submitted the information collections we list below to OMB for clearance. Your comments on the information collections would be most useful if OMB and SSA receive them within 30 days from the date of this publication. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than October 26, 2009. You can obtain a copy of the OMB clearance packages by calling the SSA Director for Reports Clearance at 4109650454 or by writing to the above email address.
1. Waiver of Right to AppearDisability Hearing20 CFR 404.913 404.914, 404.916(b)(5), 416.1413416.1414, 416.1416(b)(5)09600534. SSA uses Form SSA773U4 for claimants, or their representatives, to officially waive their right to appear at a disability hearing. The disability hearing officer uses the signed form as a basis for not holding a hearing and for preparing a written decision on the claimants request for disability based solely on the evidence of record. The respondents are claimants, or their representatives, for disability under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act, who wish to waive their right to appear at a disability hearing.
Note: This is a correction notice. SSA published this information collection as an extension on July 27, 2009 at 74 FR 37081. Since we are revising the Privacy Act Statement, this is now a revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 200.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 3 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 10 hours.
2. Medical Consultant's Review of Physical Residual Functional
Capacity Assessment20 CFR 404.1545.1546, 404.1640, 404.1643,
404.1645, 416.945.94609600680. SSA uses Form SSA392 to facilitate the medical/
[[Page 48797]]
psychological consultant's review of the Physical Residual Functional
Capacity Form, SSA4734. The SSA392 records the reviewing medical/
psychological consultant's assessment of the SSA4734. It also
documents whether the reviewer agrees or disagrees with how the
adjudicator completed the SSA4734. Medical/psychological consultants
prepare the SSA392 for each SSA4734 an adjudicator completes. The
respondents are medical/psychological consultants who conduct a quality
review of adjudicating components' completion of SSA's medical assessment forms.
Note: This is a correction notice. SSA published this information collection as an extension on July 27, 2009 at 74 FR 37081. Since we are revising the Privacy Act Statement, this is now a revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 256.
Frequency of Response: 359.
Average Burden Per Response: 12 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 18,381 hours.
3. Statement of Reclamation Action31 CFR 21009600734. SSA uses Form SSA1713 to collect information to determine if a Canadian bank is able to return erroneous payments, and to determine how and when it can return the payments made after the death of a beneficiary who elected to have payments sent to Canada. Form SSA1712 (or SSA1712 CN) is the cover sheet SSA prepares to request return of a payment erroneously made after the death of the recipient. SSA sends Form SSA1712 with Form SSA1713. The respondents are Canadian financial institutions that received Social Security payments.
Note: This is a correction notice. SSA published this information collection as an extension on July 10, 2009 at 74 FR 33313. Since we are revising the Privacy Act Statement, this is now a revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 15.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 1 hour.
Dated: September 18, 2009.
Elizabeth A. Davidson,
Director, Center for Reports Clearance, Social Security Administration. [FR Doc. E923074 Filed 92309; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 419102P
SUMMARY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
DOCUMENT BODY 2:
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 10413, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, effective October 1, 1995. This notice includes revisions and extensions of OMBapproved 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 ways to minimize the
burden on respondents, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology. Mail, email, or
fax your comments and recommendations on the information collection(s)
to the OMB Desk Officer and the SSA Director for Reports Clearance to the addresses or fax numbers shown below.
(OMB), Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA,
Fax: 2023956974, Email address: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov.
(SSA), Social Security Administration, DCBFM, Attn: Director,
Center for Reports Clearance, 1333 Annex Building, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235, Fax: 4109650454, Email address:
OPLM.RCO@ssa.gov.
I. The information collection below is pending at SSA. SSA will submit it to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than November 23, 2009. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instrument by calling the SSA Director for Reports Clearance at 410 9650454 or by writing to the above email address.
1. Application for Widow's or Widower's Insurance Benefits20 CFR 404.335404.338, 404.60309600004. SSA uses the information on the SSA10BK to determine whether the applicant meets the statutory and regulatory conditions for entitlement to widow(er)'s Social Security Title II benefits. The respondents are applicants for widow's or widower's benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 341,560.
Average burden
Collection method Number of per response Burden hours
respondents (minutes)
MCS............................................................. 162,241 15 40,560
MCS/Signature Proxy............................................. 162,241 14 37,856
Paper........................................................... 17,078 15 4,270
Totals:..................................................... 341,560 .............. 82,686
Estimated Annual Burden: 82,686 hours.
2. Substitution of Party upon Death of Claimant20 CFR
404.957(c)(4) and 416.1457(c)(4)09600288. SSA collects information on Form HA539
[[Page 48796]]
when a claimant for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income
benefits dies while his or her request for a hearing is pending. The
information SSA collects establishes a written record of the request of
any individual who asks to be made a substitute party for a deceased
claimant. It also facilitates a decision by SSA on whom, if anyone,
should become a substitute party for the deceased. The Administrative
Law Judge and the hearing office support staff use this information to:
(1) Establish the relationship of the requester to the deceased
claimant; (2) determine the substituted individual's wishes regarding
an oral hearing or decision on the record; and (3) admit the data into
the claimant's official record as an exhibit. The respondents are
individuals requesting to be made a substitute party for a deceased claimant.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 4,000.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 333 hours.
3. NonAttorney Representative Demonstration Project Application 20 CFR 404.1745404.1799 and 20 CFR 416.1545416.159909600699. Section 303 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004 (SSPA) provides for a 5year demonstration project under which SSA extends the direct payment of approved fees to certain nonattorney claimant representatives. Under the SSPA, to be eligible for direct payment of fees, a nonattorney representative must fulfill the following statutory requirements: (1) Possess a bachelors degree or have equivalent qualifications from training and work experience; (2) pass an examination that tests knowledge of the relevant provisions of the Social Security Act; (3) secure professional liability insurance or equivalent insurance; (4) pass a criminal background check; and (5) demonstrate completion of relevant continuing education courses. Through the services of a private contractor, SSA must collect the requested information to determine if a nonattorney representative has met the statutory requirements to be eligible for direct payment of fees for his or her claimant representation services. SSA needs this information to comply with the legislation. The respondents are non attorney representatives who apply for direct payment of fees.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 700.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 60 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 700 hours.
4. Medicare Part B IncomeRelated Monthly Adjustment Amount Subsidies Regulations20 CFR 41809600741. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 established the Medicare Part B program for voluntary prescription drug coverage of premium, deductible, and copayment costs for certain lowincome individuals. The incomerelated monthly adjustment amount represents the amount of decrease in the Medicare Part B premium subsidy; i.e., the amount of the Federal Government's contribution to the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. SSA uses these regulations to determine when a monthly adjustment amount to a beneficiary's standard monthly premium under Medicare Part B occurs. The respondents are applicants for the Medicare Part B incomerelated monthly adjustment amount. The regulations sections below contain public reporting requirements for which no OMBapproved forms exist.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMBapproved information collection.
Average burden Estimated
Section Number of Frequency of per response annual burden
respondents response (minutes) (hours)
Situation in which beneficiaries ask SSA to 9,820 1 30 4,910 examine a different tax return than the one
they originally used to make their
determination: Sec. 418.1310(a)
Situations related to requests for new initial 160,000 1 30 80,000 determinations based on beneficiary reports
that a major lifechanging event has
significantly reduced their MAGI: Sec.
418.1005(c) Sec. 418.1250 Sec. 418.1255
Sec. 418.1265
Situations related to requests for additional 1,045 1 30 523 new initial determinations and updates of MAGI
that a beneficiary provided for a new initial
determination: Sec. 418.1235 (c)(d)Sec.
418.1240 Sec. 418.1245
Total 170,865 .............. .............. 85,433
Estimated Annual Burden: 85,433.
II. SSA has submitted the information collections we list below to OMB for clearance. Your comments on the information collections would be most useful if OMB and SSA receive them within 30 days from the date of this publication. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than October 26, 2009. You can obtain a copy of the OMB clearance packages by calling the SSA Director for Reports Clearance at 4109650454 or by writing to the above email address.
1. Waiver of Right to AppearDisability Hearing20 CFR 404.913 404.914, 404.916(b)(5), 416.1413416.1414, 416.1416(b)(5)09600534. SSA uses Form SSA773U4 for claimants, or their representatives, to officially waive their right to appear at a disability hearing. The disability hearing officer uses the signed form as a basis for not holding a hearing and for preparing a written decision on the claimants request for disability based solely on the evidence of record. The respondents are claimants, or their representatives, for disability under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act, who wish to waive their right to appear at a disability hearing.
Note: This is a correction notice. SSA published this information collection as an extension on July 27, 2009 at 74 FR 37081. Since we are revising the Privacy Act Statement, this is now a revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 200.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 3 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 10 hours.
2. Medical Consultant's Review of Physical Residual Functional
Capacity Assessment20 CFR 404.1545.1546, 404.1640, 404.1643,
404.1645, 416.945.94609600680. SSA uses Form SSA392 to facilitate the medical/
[[Page 48797]]
psychological consultant's review of the Physical Residual Functional
Capacity Form, SSA4734. The SSA392 records the reviewing medical/
psychological consultant's assessment of the SSA4734. It also
documents whether the reviewer agrees or disagrees with how the
adjudicator completed the SSA4734. Medical/psychological consultants
prepare the SSA392 for each SSA4734 an adjudicator completes. The
respondents are medical/psychological consultants who conduct a quality
review of adjudicating components' completion of SSA's medical assessment forms.
Note: This is a correction notice. SSA published this information collection as an extension on July 27, 2009 at 74 FR 37081. Since we are revising the Privacy Act Statement, this is now a revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 256.
Frequency of Response: 359.
Average Burden Per Response: 12 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 18,381 hours.
3. Statement of Reclamation Action31 CFR 21009600734. SSA uses Form SSA1713 to collect information to determine if a Canadian bank is able to return erroneous payments, and to determine how and when it can return the payments made after the death of a beneficiary who elected to have payments sent to Canada. Form SSA1712 (or SSA1712 CN) is the cover sheet SSA prepares to request return of a payment erroneously made after the death of the recipient. SSA sends Form SSA1712 with Form SSA1713. The respondents are Canadian financial institutions that received Social Security payments.
Note: This is a correction notice. SSA published this information collection as an extension on July 10, 2009 at 74 FR 33313. Since we are revising the Privacy Act Statement, this is now a revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of Respondents: 15.
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.
Estimated Annual Burden: 1 hour.
Dated: September 18, 2009.
Elizabeth A. Davidson,
Director, Center for Reports Clearance, Social Security Administration. [FR Doc. E923074 Filed 92309; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 419102P