Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request

Federal RegisterSep 12, 2024

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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No: SSA-2024-0031]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed 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 104-13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, effective October 1, 1995. This notice includes revisions 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 ways to minimize 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 SSA Reports Clearance Officer at the following addresses or fax numbers.

(OMB) Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA. You may submit your comments online through

https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain,

referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-2024-0031].

(SSA) Social Security Administration, OLCA, Attn: Reports Clearance Director, Mail Stop 3253 Altmeyer, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235, Fax: 833-410-1631. Email address:

OR.Reports.Clearance@ssa.gov.

Or you may submit your comments online through

https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAmain

by clicking on Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments and choosing to click on one of SSA's published items.

Please reference Docket ID Number [SSA-2024-0031] in your submitted response.

The information collections below are pending at SSA. SSA will submit them 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 12, 2024. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instruments by writing to the above email address.

1. Work Activity Report—Employee—20 CFR 404.1520(b), 404.1571-404.1576, 404.1584-404.1593, and 416.971-404.976—0960-0059. Section 223(d) of the Social Security Act (Act) defines the term “disability” as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which one expects to result in death, or which lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants or recipients can become entitled to payments based on their inability to engage in SGA because of a physical or mental condition. SSA uses Form SSA-821-BK to obtain work information during the initial claims process; the continuing disability review process; post-adjudicative work issue actions; and for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims involving work issues. SSA reviews and evaluates the data to determine if the applicant or recipient meets the disability requirements of the law. The respondents are applicants or recipients of Title II Social Security Disability, and Title XVI SSI applicants.

Type of Request:

Revision of an OMB-approved information collection.

Modality of completion

Number of

respondents

Frequency

of response

Average

burden per

response

(minutes)

Estimated

total annual

burden

(hours)

Average

theoretical

hourly cost

amount

(dollars) *

Average

wait time

in field office

or for

teleservice

centers

(minutes) **

Total annual

opportunity

cost

(dollars) ***

SSA-821-BK In Office

64,330

32,165

* $13.30

** 24

*** 770,030

SSA-821-BK Phone

128,660

64,330

* 13.30

** 19

*** 1,397,458

SSA-821-BK Returned Via Mail

192,990

128,660

* 13.30

*** 1,710,380

SSA-821-BK Electronic

25,320

18,990

* 13.30

*** 252,567

Totals

411,300

244,145

*** 4,130,435

* We based this figure on the average of both DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2024 data (

https://mwww.ba.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.pdf),

and U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm

** We based this figure on averaging the average FY 2024 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information data.

*** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application.

There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the application.

2. Claimant's Medication—20 CFR 404.1512, 416.912—0960-0289. To receive Old Age Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) and SSI payments, the relevant State Disability Determination Service (DDS) or field office (FO) must first adjudicate claimants' applications. If the DDS or FO denies an initial application, the claimants may request for reconsideration of the initial denial. At that time, the claimants may submit addition documentation to further justify their claims. If the DDS denies the claim at the reconsideration level, the claimant may then request a hearing before a judge. Before the hearing, SSA allows the claimant to submit additional evidence to support their claim. In addition, since judges must obtain information from the claimant to update and complete their medical record and to verify the accuracy of the information, SSA also sends the claimant Form HA-4632, Claimant's Medications, to request information from the claimant regarding the current medications they use. This information helps the judge overseeing the case to fully investigate: (1) the claimant's

medical treatment and (2) the effects of the medications on the claimant's medical impairments and functional capacity. The judge makes the completed form a part of the documentary evidence of record, placing it in the official record of the proceedings as an exhibit. The respondents are applicants (or their representatives) for OASDI or SSI payments who request a hearing to contest an agency denial of their claim.

Type of Request:

Revision of an OMB-approved information collection.

Modality of completion

Number of

respondents

Frequency

of response

Average

burden per

response

(minutes)

Estimated

total annual

burden

(hours)

Average

theoretical

hourly cost

amount

(dollars) *

Average

wait time

in field

office

(minutes) **

Total annual

opportunity

cost

(dollars) ***

HA-4632—PDF/paper version

51,000

17,000

* $13.30

** 21

*** $463,505

Electronic Records Express Submissions

249,000

83,000

* 31.48

*** 2,612,840

Totals

300,000

100,000

*** 3,076,345

* We based this figure on the average DI payments based on SSA's current data (

https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.pdf

) and on the average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm

** We based this figure on averaging both the average FY 2024 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, based on SSA's current management information data.

There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the application.

3. Questionnaire for Children Claiming SSI Benefits—20 CFR 416.912(a)—0960-0499. Sections 1614 and 1631 of the Act allows SSA to determine the eligibility of an applicant's claim for SSI payments. Parents or legal guardians seeking to obtain or retain SSI eligibility for their children use Form SSA-3881-BK to provide SSA with the addresses of non-medical sources such as schools, counselors, agencies, organizations, or therapists who would have information about a child's functioning. SSA uses this information to help determine a child's claim or continuing eligibility for SSI. The respondents are the parents, guardians, or other caretakers of: (1) applicants who appeal SSI childhood disability decisions; or (2) recipients undergoing a continuing disability review.

Type of Request:

Revision of an OMB-approved information collection.

Modality of completion

Number of

respondents

Frequency

of response

Average

burden per

response

(minutes)

Estimated

total annual

burden

(hours)

Average

theoretical

hourly cost

amount

(dollars) *

Average

wait time

in field

office

(minutes) **

Total annual

opportunity

cost

(dollars) ***

SSA-3881-BK (Paper Version)

98,307

49,154

* $31.48

** 24

*** $2,785,256

SSA-3881-BK (Intranet Version)

52,936

26,468

* 31.48

** 21

*** 1,416,474

Totals

151,243

75,622

*** 4,201,730

* We based this figure on average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm

** We based this figure on the average FY 2024 wait times for field offices and hearings office, as well as by averaging both the average FY 2024 wait times for field offices (24 minutes) and teleservice centers (19 minutes), based on SSA's current management information data.

There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the application.

4. Requests for Self-Employment Information, Employee Information, and Employer Information—20 CFR 422.120—0960-0508. When SSA cannot identify Form W-2 wage data for an individual, we place the data in an earnings suspense file and contact the individual (and certain instances the employer) to obtain the correct information. If the respondent furnishes the name and Social Security Number (SSN) information that agrees with SSA's records, or provides information that resolves the discrepancy, SSA adds the reported earnings to the respondent's Social Security record. We use Forms SSA-L2765, SSA-L3365, and SSA-L4002 for this purpose. The respondents are self-employed individuals and employees whose name and SSN information do not agree with their employer's and SSA's records.

Type of Request:

Revision of an OMB approved information collection.

Modality of completion

Number of

respondents

Frequency

of response

Average

burden per

response

(minutes)

Estimated

total annual

burden

(hours)

Average

theoretical

hourly cost

amount

(dollars) **

Total annual

opportunity

cost

(dollars) ***

SSA-L2765 *

** $31.48

*** $31.48

SSA-L3365 *

** 31.48

*** 31.48

SSA-L4002 *

** 31.48

*** 31.48

Totals

*** 94

* SSA does not currently send out any of these collections; however, we included 1 hour burden placeholders for each collection, in the event we need to send these notices out in the near future.

** We based this figure on average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm

There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the application.

5. Function Report—Child (Birth to 1st Birthday, Age 1 to 3rd Birthday, Age 3 to 6th Birthday, Age 6 to 12th Birthday, Age 12 to 18th Birthday)—20 CFR 416.912 and 416.924a(a)(2)—0960-0542. As part of SSA's disability determination process, we use Forms SSA-3375-BK through SSA-3379-BK to request information from a child's parent or guardian for children applying for SSI. The five different versions of the form contain questions about the child's day-to-day functioning appropriate to a particular age group; thus, respondents use only one version of the form for each child. The adjudicative team (disability examiners and medical or psychological consultants) of State disability determination services offices collect the information on the appropriate version of this form (in conjunction with medical and other evidence) to form a complete picture of the children's ability to function and their impairment-related limitations. The adjudicative team uses the completed profile to determine: (1) if each child's impairment(s) results in marked and severe functional limitations; and (2) whether each child is disabled. The respondents are parents and guardians of child applicants for SSI.

Type of Request:

Revision of an OMB-approved information collection.

Modality of completion

(paper & Intranet versions)

Number of

respondents

Frequency

of response

Average

burden per

response

(minutes)

Estimated

total annual

burden

(hours)

Average

theoretical

hourly cost

amount

(dollars) *

Average

wait time

in field office

or teleservice

center

(minutes) **

Total annual

opportunity

cost

(dollars) ***

SSA-3375

26,864

8,955

* $31.48

** 21

*** $577,878

SSA-3376

53,347

17,782

* 31.48

** 21

*** 1,147,540

SSA-3377

108,745

36,248

* 31.48

** 21

*** 2,339,247

SSA-3378

193,800

64,600

* 31.48

** 21

*** 4,168,896

SSA-3379

142,006

47,335

* 31.48

** 21

*** 3,054,725

Totals

524,762

174,921

*** 11,288,286

* We based this figure on the average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm

** We based this figure on the average FY 2024 wait times for field offices (24 minutes) and Teleservice Centers (19 minutes), based on SSA's current management information data.

There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the application.

6. Representative Payee Report of Benefits and Dedicated Account—20 CFR 416.546, 416.635, 416.640, and 416.665—0960-0576. SSA requires representative payees (RPs) to manage the dedicated account in accordance with our rules, including using the funds for permitted expenditures and reporting on the use of funds. When the SSI recipient requires a dedicated account, SSA notifies the RP to inform them of the need to open the dedicated account and of the rules for managing a dedicated account, including the required submission of a written report accounting for the use of money paid to Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients into the dedicated account. SSA allows the respondent to submit their own written report, or use Form SSA-6233, which simplifies the process for the respondents. SSA uses Form SSA-6233 to: (1) ensure the RPs use the payments for the recipient's current maintenance and personal needs and properly conserves the remainder; and (2) confirm the funds paid into the dedicated account are spent and saved in compliance with the law. Respondents are RPs for SSI and Social Security recipients.

Type of Request:

Revision of an OMB-approved information collection.

Modality of completion

Number of

respondents

Frequency

of response

Average

burden per

response

(minutes)

Estimated

total annual

burden

(hours)

Average

theoretical

hourly cost

amount

(dollars) *

Average

wait time

in field

office or

for

teleservice

centers

(minutes) **

Total annual

opportunity

cost

(dollars) ***

SSA-6233

68,000

22,667

* $31.48

** 21

*** $1,462,781

* We based this figure on average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000

** We based this figure on averaging both the average FY 2024 wait times for field offices (24 minutes) and teleservice centers (19 minutes), based on SSA's current management information data.

There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the application.

7. Sheltered Workshop Wage Reporting—0960-0771. Sheltered workshops are private non-profit organizations or institutions that implement a recognized program of rehabilitation for handicapped workers or provide such workers with remunerative employment or other occupational rehabilitating activity of an educational or therapeutic nature. Sheltered workshops perform a service for their clients by reporting monthly wages directly to SSA. SSA uses the information these workshops provide to verify and post monthly wages to SSI recipient's records. Most workshops report monthly wage totals to their local SSA office, so we can adjust the client's SSI payment amount in a timely manner and prevent overpayments. Sheltered workshops are motivated to report wages voluntarily as a service to their clients. Respondents are sheltered workshops that report monthly wages for services performed in the workshop.

Type of Request:

Revision of an OMB-approved information collection.

Modality of completion

Number of

respondents

Frequency

of response

Total

number of

responses

Average

burden per

response

(minutes)

Estimated

total annual

burden

(hours)

Average

theoretical

hourly cost

amount

(dollars) *

Average

wait time

in field

office

(minutes) **

Total annual

opportunity

cost

(dollars) ***

Sheltered Workshop Wage Reporting

244

2,928

732

* $23.28

** 24

*** $19,322

* We based this on average Rehabilitation Counselors hourly salary, as reported in Bureau of Labor Statistics data (

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211015.htm

)

** We based this figure on the average FY 2024 wait times for field offices, based on SSA's current management information data.

There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the application.

Dated: September 9, 2024.

Naomi Sipple,

Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.

[FR Doc. 2024-20713 Filed 9-11-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4191-02-P

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.