[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 105 (Wednesday, May 31, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34768-34778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13649]



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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Program: Cooperative Agreements for Benefits Planning, 
Assistance, and Outreach Projects; Program Announcement No. SSA-OESP-
00-1

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Announcement of the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2000 and 
2001 cooperative agreement funds and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The Social Security Administration (SSA) announces its 
intention to competitively award cooperative agreements to establish 
community-based benefits planning, assistance, and outreach projects in 
every State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern 
Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
(Throughout this announcement, the term ``State'' will be used to refer 
to all U.S. States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the 
Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.) 
The purpose of these projects is to disseminate accurate information to 
beneficiaries with disabilities (including transition-to-work aged 
youth) about work incentives programs and issues related to such 
programs, to enable them to make informed choices about work.
    President Clinton signed the bill that became Public Law 106-170 on 
December 17, 1999 to expand the availability of health care coverage 
for working individuals with disabilities, to establish a Ticket to 
Work and Self-Sufficiency Program in SSA to provide beneficiaries with 
disabilities meaningful opportunities to work, and to provide benefits 
planning and assistance services, and outreach to beneficiaries with 
disabilities, among other purposes. SSA must ensure that benefits 
planning, assistance, and outreach are available to all beneficiaries 
with disabilities nationally, on a statewide basis.

    Note: A separate contract will be awarded, following publication 
of a separate notice in the Commerce Business Daily, to one or more 
organizations to develop and provide technical assistance and 
training on SSA's programs and work incentives, Medicare and 
Medicaid, and on other Federal work incentives programs to 
cooperative agreement award recipients.

    SSA is conducting several pre-application seminars to provide 
interested applicants with guidance and technical assistance in 
preparing their applications. The following is information about where 
and when the seminars are scheduled:
Kansas City, Missouri
Date: June 6, 2000
Facility: Pierson Auditorium, University of Missouri at Kansas City, 
5000 Holmes Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110
Contact: Kelli Ellerbusch, 816-235-1758
Time: 2 pm to 6 pm
Oakland, California
Date: June 8, 2000
Facility: Oakland Federal Building, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Contacts: Brian McDonald, 510-251-4304; Chris Neilson, 510-628-0665
Time: 9 am to 1 pm
Washington, DC
Date: June 15, 2000
Facility: Frances Perkins Building Auditorium, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
NW, Washington, DC 20210
Time: 9 am to 2 pm

DATES: The closing date for receipt of cooperative agreement 
applications under this announcement is July 31, 2000.

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTS:  The Internet is the primary means 
recommended for obtaining information on the program content of this 
announcement. If an applicant has a question about this announcement, 
that question should be referred to the following Internet email 
address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#efbbbbb8b8a6a6aeaf9c9c8ec1888099"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dd89898a8a94949c9daeaebcf3bab2ab">[email protected]</span></a>. When sending in a question, applicants should 
include program announcement number SSA-OESP-00-1 and the date of this 
announcement. Questions will not be answered individually; however, all 
questions and answers will be posted to ssa.gov/work web site on the 
Frequently Asked Questions page.
    In the rare instances when an organization may not have access to 
the Internet, an applicant with a question about the program content 
may contact: Cindy Barcelles, Program Analyst, or Natalie Funk, Team 
Leader, Social Security Administration, Office of Employment Support 
Programs, Division of Employment Policy, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235. The telephone numbers 
are: Cindy Barcelles, (410) 966-2668, or Natalie Funk, (410) 965-0078. 
The fax number is (410) 966-1278.
    To obtain an application kit, see the instructions under Part VI, 
Section A. General (non-programmatic) questions may also be referred to 
the Internet email address <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5105050606181810112222307f363e27"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="56020201011f1f171625253778313920">[email protected]</span></a> along with program 
announcement number SSA-OESP-00-1 and the date of this announcement. 
For general (non-programmatic) information regarding the announcement 
or application package where Internet access is not available, contact: 
E. Joe Smith, Grants Management Officer, Social Security 
Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Grants Management 
Team, 1-E-4 Gwynn Oak Building, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, 
Maryland 21207-5279. The telephone numbers are: E. Joe Smith (410) 965-
9503, Dave Allshouse, (410) 965-9262, or Gary Stammer, (410) 965-9501. 
The fax numbers are (410) 966-9310 or 966-1261.
    Prospective applicants are asked to submit, preferably by June 30, 
2000, a fax, post card, or letter of intent that includes (1) This 
program announcement number (SSA-OESP-00-1) and title (Benefits 
Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program); (2) the type of proposed 
agency or organization; and (3) the name, postal and email addresses, 
and the telephone and fax numbers of the organization's key contact 
person. The notice of intent is not required, is not binding, and does 
not enter into the review process of a subsequent application. The sole 
purpose of the notice of intent is to allow SSA staff to estimate the 
number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts 
of interest in the review. The notice of intent should specify ``Attn: 
Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program Notice of Intent 
(SSA-OESP-00-1)'' and be faxed to: (410) 966-1278; mailed to: Social 
Security Administration, Office of Employment Support Programs, 
Division of Employment Policy, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235; or emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#89dddddedec0c0c8c9fafae8a7eee6ff"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a4e4e4d4d53535b5a69697b347d756c">[email protected]</span></a> 
along with program announcement number SSA-OESP-00-1 and the date of 
this announcement.

Table of Contents

Part I. Program Description
    A. Introduction
    B. Background
    C. Purpose of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach 
Program
    D. Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program Goals
Part II. Authority and Type of Awards
    A. Statutory Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance Number
    B. Type of Awards
    C. Number, Size, and Duration of Projects
    D. Awardee Share of the Project Costs
Part III. The Application Process
    A. Eligible Applicants
    B. Targeted Geographic Area/Population
    C. Application Process
    D. Application Consideration
    E. Application Approval
    F. Costs
Part IV. Program Requirements

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    A. General Requirements
    B. Description of Projects
    C. Benefits Specialist Responsibilities and Competencies
    D. Management Information and Reporting
    E. Evaluation
Part V. Application Review Process and Evaluation Criteria
    A. Screening Requirements
    B. Evaluation Criteria
Part VI. Instructions for Obtaining and Submitting Application
    A. Availability of Forms
    B. Checklist for a Complete Application
    C. Guidelines for Application Submission

Part I. Program Description

A. Introduction

    Section 121 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement 
Act (TWWIIA) of 1999 requires the Commissioner of Social Security (the 
Commissioner) to establish a community-based work incentives planning 
and assistance program. Therefore, the Commissioner is establishing a 
competitive program of cooperative agreements, the Benefits Planning, 
Assistance, and Outreach Program, to disseminate accurate information 
to beneficiaries with disabilities about work incentives programs and 
issues related to such programs.
    The Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with 
Disabilities (PTFEAD), established under Executive Order 13078, is 
facilitating interagency collaboration among SSA's cooperative 
agreement program, the Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment and 
Training Administration's grant program, and the Department of Health 
and Human Services' Health Care Financing Administration's (HCFA) grant 
program. Each of the three programs is being administered separately by 
the respective agencies but will be initiated in FY 2000. The Task 
Force will provide guidance to this multi-agency process as part of 
their charge to design a coordinated and aggressive national policy 
that will bring working-age individuals with disabilities into gainful 
employment at a rate approaching that of the general population.
    Applicants may obtain information about SSA's cooperative 
agreements by accessing SSA's web site, ssa.gov/oag/grants; DOL's grant 
program on the grant and contracts page at DOL's web site, doleta.gov; 
and HCFA's grant programs by accessing the TWWIIA link on HCFA's web 
site, hcfa.gov. Applicants may also access the PTFEAD link accessible 
from DOL's home page at dol.gov for additional information about the 
Task Force.

B. Background

    Even though there has been an increase in potential employment 
created by technology, legislation, and changes in societal attitudes, 
only a small percentage of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) 
and/or disabled or blind Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
beneficiaries leave the rolls because of work activity. There are a 
number of reasons for this. First, beneficiaries of SSDI and SSI based 
on disability or blindness, by definition, have serious disabilities, 
which limit choices in employment. However, disability advocates report 
that many individuals with disabilities who receive public assistance 
want to work, or increase their work activity, and may be able to work, 
with proper assistance and support. There is also evidence that many 
individuals with severe disabilities do work, and are not relying on 
income supports.
    Additionally, people with disabilities who want to work face 
significant barriers. Many advocates and people with disabilities 
contend that the fear of losing health care benefits is the largest 
impediment. Public health insurance and long-term care services are 
usually tied to income support programs such as SSDI, SSI, and 
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). Employment-based health 
insurance is frequently not available to those with disabilities due to 
pre-existing condition clauses or exclusions of treatment for mental 
illness. Private insurance is often unaffordable for people with 
serious illnesses and chronic or long-term impairments, since they are 
charged much higher than average premiums.
    Further, while the SSDI, SSI, Medicare and Medicaid programs all 
contain valuable work incentives provisions which can extend cash 
benefits and medical coverage, they are under-used and, often, are 
poorly understood by beneficiaries and professionals alike. The 
complexity and nature of the work incentives, and the interrelationship 
of myriad Federal, State, and local programs on which beneficiaries 
rely, create uncertainty and fear. Beneficiaries are concerned that 
they may lose vital income supports and coverage for mental and 
physical health care if they attempt to work.
    For example, many people with disabilities rely on a patchwork of 
financial supports that have different eligibility criteria and 
application procedures. The benefits derived from a number of these 
programs are means-tested. Increases in income can also cause rent 
increases in Section 8 housing, loss of food stamps or public 
assistance payments. Many individuals who may be willing to risk the 
loss of cash benefits from TANF, SSDI or SSI cannot absorb the loss of 
housing subsidies and other supports.
    Despite these barriers, many people with severe disabilities have 
managed to use existing services and work incentives to reach their 
goals of financial self-sufficiency, while retaining necessary 
supports. However, those who are successful in returning to work 
frequently report that the availability of a knowledgeable advocate 
made a difference in their ability to navigate complex program 
requirements and in their willingness to return to work. Further, the 
support of that advocate provided them a sense of security needed to 
maintain work activity. The projects funded under this cooperative 
agreement program are part of SSA's Employment Strategy for People with 
Disabilities to increase the number of beneficiaries who return to work 
and achieve self-sufficiency by delivering direct services to 
beneficiaries.

C. Purpose of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program

    The purpose of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach 
Program is to provide statewide benefits planning and assistance, 
including information on the availability of protection and advocacy 
services, to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities, and to 
conduct ongoing outreach to those beneficiaries with disabilities (and 
to their families) who are potentially eligible to participate in State 
or Federal work incentives programs.
    The Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program is required 
by TWWIIA and is part of SSA's Employment Strategy for People with 
Disabilities. SSA's general aim under TWWIAA is to ensure a substantial 
increase in the number of beneficiaries who return to work and achieve 
self-sufficiency. In support of this goal, SSA is seeking well-
qualified applicants to provide SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with 
benefits planning, assistance, and outreach. While other parts of SSA's 
Employment Strategy provide direct employment services to help 
beneficiaries become employed or increase their level of employment, 
this Program aims to improve beneficiaries' understanding of work 
options so that they may make more informed choices regarding work.

D. Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program Goals

    The Government Performance Results Act mandates that SSA establish

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specific performance indicators that support SSA's strategic goals, and 
the Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach Program's objectives. 
SSA has instituted a comprehensive employment strategy for persons with 
disabilities to ensure a substantial increase in the number of 
beneficiaries who return to work and achieve self-sufficiency.
    The goal of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program 
is to support SSA's overall Employment Strategy for persons with 
disabilities by nationally providing statewide benefits planning and 
assistance, and conducting outreach to beneficiaries with disabilities, 
about Federal, State, and local work incentives programs and related 
issues.
    To assist SSA in assessing the scope and utility of outreach and 
information provided under this Program, each project will be required 
to:
    1. Collect data pertaining to benefits planning and assistance, and 
outreach activities as described in Part IV, Section D Data Collection 
and Reporting and
    2. Cooperate with SSA in providing the information needed for a 
customer satisfaction survey on the quality of the benefits planning 
and assistance services being provided and for an assessment of the 
success of the Benefits Planning and Assistance, and Outreach Program.

    Note: SSA plans to conduct such surveys in years two and five of 
the projects. More frequent surveys may be conducted if a need is 
indicated by the results of the first survey.

    SSA will evaluate the data in 1. above and the results of the 
customer satisfaction surveys to determine the extent to which the 
projects were effective in providing benefits planning and assistance 
services, and outreach. The effectiveness of the projects will be 
measured by the range of beneficiaries served and responses regarding 
the knowledge of SSA work incentives and utility of benefits planning 
and assistance services. Data to be collected will include information 
about:
    <bullet> Beneficiaries who receive comprehensive, coordinated 
benefits planning and assistance services, and outreach;
    <bullet> Beneficiaries' demographic characteristics;
    <bullet> Beneficiaries' income support characteristics (including 
earnings and SSA and non-SSA benefits);
    <bullet> Beneficiaries' non-income support characteristics 
(including access to public and private health care); and
    <bullet> Beneficiaries' work and benefit related goals and 
strategies.

Part II. Authority and Type of Awards

A. Statutory Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
Number

    Legislative authority for this cooperative agreement program is in 
section 1149 of the Social Security Act (Act) as established by section 
121 of the TWWIIA, Public Law 106-170. The regulatory requirements that 
govern the administration of SSA awards are in the Code of Federal 
Regulations, Title 45, Parts 74 and 92. Applicants are urged to review 
the requirements in the applicable regulations. This program will be 
listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under Program No. 
96.008, Social Security Administration--Benefits Planning, Assistance, 
and Outreach Program.

B. Type of Awards

    All awards made under this program will be in the form of 
cooperative agreements. A cooperative agreement anticipates substantial 
involvement between SSA and the awardee during the performance of the 
project. Involvement will include collaboration or participation by SSA 
in the management of the activity as determined at the time of the 
award. For example, SSA will be involved in decisions involving 
strategy, hiring of personnel, deployment of resources, release of 
public information materials, quality assurance, and coordination of 
activities with other offices.

C. Number, Size, and Duration of Projects

    Section 1149(d) of the Act authorizes annual appropriations not to 
exceed $23 million for FYs 2000 through 2004. Actual funding 
availability during this period is subject to annual appropriation by 
Congress. SSA will fund a limited number of awards in FY 2000 and 
additional awards in FY 2001. SSA anticipates all awards under this 
announcement will be made by December 31, 2000.
    SSA will award a cooperative agreement to a qualified entity based 
in part on the number of beneficiaries with disabilities in the State 
where the project is located, with the following limitations:
    <bullet> No entity shall receive a cooperative agreement for a 
fiscal year that is less than $50,000 or more than $300,000; and
    <bullet> The total amount of all grants, cooperative agreements, or 
contracts awarded for the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach 
Program for any fiscal year (including amounts awarded for technical 
assistance and training contracts) may not exceed $23 million.
    Within these limitations, SSA intends to establish as many projects 
as needed to ensure statewide benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries nationally. The applicant 
must demonstrate in sufficient detail that the number of beneficiaries 
with disabilities within the targeted area is sufficient to support a 
minimum award ($50,000), considering that SSA must ensure that all 
disability beneficiaries have access to benefits planning, assistance, 
and outreach.
    SSA intends to enter into cooperative agreements during the 5-year 
authorization period subject to the availability of annual 
appropriations by Congress. SSA may suspend or terminate any 
cooperative agreement in whole or in part at any time before the date 
of expiration, whenever it determines that the awardee has materially 
failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the cooperative 
agreement. SSA will promptly notify the awardee in writing of the 
determination and the reasons for suspension or termination together 
with the effective date.

D. Awardee Share of the Project Costs

    Awardees of SSA cooperative agreements are required to contribute a 
non-Federal match of at least 5 percent toward the cost of each 
project. The cost of the project is the sum of the Federal share (up to 
95 percent) and the non-Federal share (at least 5 percent). For 
example, an entity that is awarded a cooperative agreement of $100,000 
would need a non-Federal share of at least $5,263. The non-Federal 
share may be cash or in-kind (property or services) contributions.

Part III. The Application Process

A. Eligible Applicants

    A cooperative agreement may be awarded to any State or local 
government, public or private organization, or nonprofit or for-profit 
organization that the Commissioner determines is qualified to provide 
benefits planning, assistance, and outreach to all SSDI and SSI 
beneficiaries with disabilities, within the targeted geographic area. 
These may include Centers for Independent Living established under 
title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, protection and advocacy 
organizations, Native American tribal entities, client assistance 
programs established in accordance with section 112 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, State Developmental Disabilities Councils

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established in accordance with section 124 of the Developmental 
Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, and State agencies 
administering the State program funded under part A of title IV of the 
Act. The Commissioner may also award a cooperative agreement to a State 
or local Workforce Investment Board, a Department of Labor (DOL) One-
Stop Career Center System established under the Workforce Improvement 
Act of 1998, or a State VR agency.
    SSA encourages applications from public or private agencies or 
organizations, including from local or divisional offices of larger or 
statewide agencies or organizations. Applications from local or 
divisional offices of larger entities, however, must demonstrate that 
the local or divisional office has authority to enter into cooperative 
agreements and to be ultimately responsible for funds.

    Note: For-profit organizations may apply with the understanding 
that no grant funds may be paid as profit to any grant recipient. 
Profit is considered as any amount in excess of the allowable costs 
of the grant recipient. A for-profit organization is a corporation 
or other legal entity that is organized or operated for the profit 
or benefit of its shareholders or other owners and must be 
distinguishable or legally separable from that of an individual 
acting on his/her own behalf. Applications will not be accepted from 
applicants which do not meet the above eligibility criteria at the 
time of submission of applications.

    Cooperative agreements may not be awarded to:
    <bullet> Any individual;
    <bullet> Social Security Administration Field Offices;
    <bullet> Any State agency administering the State Medicaid program 
under title XIX of the Act;
    <bullet> Any entity that the Commissioner determines would have a 
conflict of interest if the entity were to receive a cooperative 
agreement under the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach 
Program; or
    <bullet> Any organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1968 that engages in lobbying (in accordance 
with section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1611).

    Note: Any protection and advocacy organization must fully 
explain how it will ensure there will be no conflict of interest 
between providing benefits planning and assistance services and 
outreach, and delivering protection and advocacy services to 
beneficiaries. In particular, they must show how they will ensure 
full protection and advocacy services will be provided when the 
complaint is against the Benefits Specialist or organization. Also, 
any organization that will apply to be an employment network under 
SSA's Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program, must fully 
explain how it will ensure there will be no conflict of interest if 
they also receive a cooperative agreement to provide benefits 
planning, assistance, and outreach. This is especially important in 
the area of assisting beneficiaries with PASS plans or other work 
incentives which will enable them to keep receiving benefits, thus 
delaying, or preventing entirely, payments to the employment 
network.

B. Targeted Geographic Area/Population

    To ensure statewide availability of benefits planning, assistance, 
and outreach, as required by section 1149 of the Act, SSA intends to 
award cooperative agreements partly on the basis of geographic area.
    While SSA recognizes that not every SSDI or SSI beneficiary with a 
disability will access benefits planning, assistance, and outreach, it 
must be available to each via the project targeting a specific 
geographic area. Therefore, awarded projects must make those services 
available to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities within 
the geographic area. Because youth with disabilities is such an 
important population to target for those services, each project must 
make benefits planning, assistance, and outreach available to SSI 
recipients as young as age 14. In providing benefits planning, 
assistance, and outreach, projects must make concerted and aggressive 
efforts to address the needs of underserved individuals with 
disabilities from diverse ethnic and racial communities (e.g., Native 
Americans, Vietnamese). In particular, awardees should show how they 
intend to do outreach in ways that ensure interaction with diverse 
communities and must specify the geographic area they wish to cover.
    Entities are encouraged to collaborate with other public and/or 
private organizations (e.g., DOL One-Stop Career Center), through 
interagency agreements or other mechanisms, if necessary, to integrate 
services to beneficiaries with disabilities. Entities should also 
consider collaboration with other organizations to prepare an 
application for a cooperative agreement to provide benefits planning, 
assistance, and outreach to all beneficiaries within a specific area. 
For example, Native American tribal governments may collaborate to 
develop a proposal to cover specified reservation lands.
    All applications developed jointly by more than one agency or 
organization must identify only one organization as the lead 
organization and official applicant. The other participating agencies 
and organizations can be included as co-applicants, subgrantees or 
subcontractors. However, where more than the maximum award amount is 
requested, and would be awarded for the targeted geographic area, 
collaborating agencies should submit separate applications.

C. Application Process

    The cooperative agreement application process consists of a one-
stage, full application. Independent reviewers will competitively 
review the application against the evaluation criteria specified in 
this announcement (see Part V). Applications will be reviewed against 
others targeting the same State or locality; for example, an 
application targeting the State of Louisiana will be competitively 
reviewed against all other applications targeting Louisiana, including 
any that might target both Louisiana and Mississippi, or specific 
portions of Louisiana. (SSA must ensure that all beneficiaries with 
disabilities, nationally, have access to benefits planning, assistance, 
and outreach.)

D. Application Consideration

    Applications will be initially screened for relevance to this 
announcement. If judged irrelevant, the application will be returned to 
the applicant. Also, applications that do not meet the applicant 
eligibility criteria in Section A above will not be accepted.
    Applications that are complete and conform to the requirements of 
this announcement, the instructions in Form SSA-96-BK, and the separate 
instructions for completing Part III, Program Narrative (of the SSA-96-
BK), will be reviewed competitively against the evaluation criteria 
specified in Part V of this announcement and evaluated by Federal and 
non-Federal personnel. See Part VI for instructions on obtaining Form 
SSA-96-BK. The results of this review and evaluation will assist the 
Commissioner in making award decisions. Although the results of this 
review are a primary factor considered in making the decisions, the 
review score is not the only factor used. In selecting eligible 
applicants to be funded, consideration will be given to achieving 
statewide accessibility to benefits planning, assistance, and outreach 
throughout the country and the U.S. territories, and to avoiding 
unnecessary duplication of effort.
    The application requirements in Part IV are the minimum amount of 
required project information. Projects are responsible for collecting 
management information (MI) according to the guidelines provided, 
producing regular

[[Page 34772]]

reports according to the guidelines provided, and producing a final 
report which analyzes the successes and/or failures of the methodology 
used to provide benefits planning, assistance, and outreach to SSDI and 
SSI beneficiaries, and others.
    All projects must adhere to SSA's Privacy and Confidentiality 
Regulations (20 CFR Part 401) for maintaining records of individuals, 
as well as provide specific safeguards surrounding beneficiary 
information sharing, paper/computer records/data, and other issues 
potentially arising from providing benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities.

E. Application Approval

    Cooperative agreement awards will be issued within the constraints 
of available Federal funds and at the discretion of SSA. The official 
award document is the ``Notice of Cooperative Agreement Award.'' It 
will provide the amount of the award, the purpose of the award, the 
term of the agreement, the total project period for which support is 
contemplated, the amount of financial participation required, and any 
special terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement.

F. Costs

    Federal cooperative agreement funds may be used for allowable costs 
incurred by awardees in conducting benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach. These costs could include administrative and overall project 
management costs, within the limitations discussed earlier.
    Federal cooperative agreement funds are not intended to cover costs 
that are reimbursable under an existing public or private program, such 
as social services, rehabilitation services, or education. No SSDI or 
SSI beneficiary can be charged for any service delivered under a 
Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program cooperative 
agreement, including preparing a PASS. Benefits planning and assistance 
services are intended to be free and must be made accessible to all SSA 
beneficiaries with disabilities in the project's target geographical 
area. Project funds should not be used to create new benefits or 
extensions of existing benefits.

Part IV. Program Requirements

A. General Requirements

    The cooperative agreement awardees shall:
    1. Provide the location of the targeted service area(s) (by zip 
codes) to SSA as part of the application (see Part III, Section B 
Targeted Geographic Area/Population);
    2. Work with SSA's technical assistance and training contractor in 
arranging training for Benefits Specialists;
    3. Provide a brief project description to the contractor;
    4. Employ Benefits Specialists and have them attend an initial 5-
day face-to-face training session within 90 days of award of the 
cooperative agreement. SSA's technical assistance and training 
contractor will provide technical assistance and training to projects 
about SSA's programs and work incentives (e.g., trial-work period 
(TWP), extended period of eligibility (EPE), impairment-related work 
expenses (IRWE), Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS), 1619(a) and 
(b), and Medicaid buy-in provisions/Balanced Budget Act); Medicare and 
Medicaid; and on other Federal work incentives programs. The applicant 
is responsible for providing technical assistance and training to 
Benefits Specialists about State and local programs. (SSA will attend 
that training session to provide a half-day orientation session for 
project directors.) Have Benefits Specialists attend refresher/follow-
up and new hire training sessions, as needed, and take part in the 
evaluation of training activities and the evaluation of ongoing 
training needs evaluation by the contractor.
    5. Within 90 days after award, the applicant will ensure Benefits 
Specialists have completed training, have developed outreach plans and 
begun initial outreach, and are prepared to provide benefits planning 
and assistance services to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with 
disabilities within the targeted geographic area who are requesting 
these services;
    6. Finalize the Management Information (MI) system data collection 
elements (as defined by SSA) and procedures with SSA within 60 days 
after award;
    7. Develop and submit quarterly reports that contain MI to SSA, 
Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG);
    8. Develop and submit quarterly financial reports to SSA, OAG;
    9. Provide a description of all planned changes to the project 
design for approval by SSA prior to implementation;
    10. Cooperate with SSA in scheduling and conducting site visits;
    11. Develop and maintain a collaborative working relationship with 
the local servicing Social Security office;
    12. Implement an ongoing management and quality assurance process 
that uses MI data; and
    13. Attend scheduled conferences, participate in panel and small 
group discussions, and make project presentations.

B. Description of Projects

    The project awardees shall:
    <bullet> Provide individualized benefits planning and assistance, 
including information on the availability of protection and advocacy 
services, to beneficiaries with disabilities, including individuals 
participating in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program 
established under section 1148 of the Act, the program established 
under section 1619 of the Act, and other programs that are designed to 
encourage disabled beneficiaries to work;
    <bullet> Conduct ongoing outreach efforts to beneficiaries with 
disabilities (and to the families of such beneficiaries) who are 
potentially eligible to participate in Federal or State work incentives 
programs that are designed to assist beneficiaries with disabilities to 
work, by preparing and disseminating information and explaining such 
programs. In conducting benefits planning, assistance, and outreach 
activities, project awardees will work in cooperation with other 
Federal, State, and private agencies and nonprofit organizations that 
serve beneficiaries with disabilities, and with agencies and 
organizations that focus on vocational rehabilitation and work-related 
training and counseling, including DOL One-Stop Career Centers.
    In order to be considered for an award, applicants must describe:
    <bullet> Their understanding of benefits planning and assistance, 
including the benefits programs with which they have worked in the 
past;
    <bullet> How they will notify all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with 
disabilities in the targeted geographic area about benefits planning 
and assistance and provide those services to beneficiaries;
    <bullet> Their understanding of outreach, and how they will conduct 
outreach to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities (and their 
families) in the targeted geographic area who are potentially eligible 
to participate in Federal or State work incentives programs designed to 
assist beneficiaries with disabilities to work. Particularly, how the 
outreach strategies, information, and materials will be modified to 
seek out different ethnic and racial groups;
    <bullet> The scope of the project; and
    <bullet> How that project achieves the Benefits Planning, 
Assistance, and

[[Page 34773]]

Outreach Program goals in Part I, Section D.
    The applicants must also describe how they will address any special 
cultural requirements of populations e.g., Native Americans) within the 
targeted geographic area, as well as non-English speaking populations 
e.g., Vietnamese) and SSI recipients as young as age 14.
    In providing benefits planning and assistance services, and 
conducting outreach, projects must be sensitive to issues such as 
cultural differences and non-English speaking populations within the 
areas they serve e.g., Native Americans, Vietnamese). Specifically, 
projects must address the needs of underserved individuals with 
disabilities from diverse ethnic and racial communities and show how 
they intend to provide outreach in ways that ensure interaction with 
diverse communities.
    Applicants must also provide information on:
    <bullet> Collaborative relationships with relevant agencies, 
including SSA's field offices, and organizations e.g., Centers for 
Independent Living, DOL One-Stop Career Centers);
    <bullet> Specific services and supports that will be involved in 
the project and their roles;
    <bullet> Case management and monitoring systems and techniques to 
be used;
    <bullet> Methods of evaluating benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach provided; and
    <bullet> The MI and quality assurance process that will be used.
    Applicants must also describe how Benefits Specialists will be 
trained on: numerous supports which are often used by people with 
disabilities, such as long-term care, subsidized housing, paratransit, 
and food stamps; variations in benefits and services in the State in 
which the applicant is located; that State's work incentives programs; 
workers' compensation and unemployment insurance programs; vocational 
rehabilitation services; work-related training and counseling programs; 
and other community-based support programs designed to enable people 
with disabilities to work.
    Applicants must also describe how Benefits Specialists will be 
trained to conduct outreach by providing information, guidance, and 
planning to beneficiaries with disabilities on the:
    <bullet> Availability and interrelation of any Federal or State 
work incentives programs designed to assist beneficiaries with 
disabilities for which the individual may be eligible to participate;
    <bullet> Adequacy of any health benefits coverage that may be 
offered by an employer of the individual and the extent to which other 
health benefits coverage may be available to the individual; and
    <bullet> Availability of protection and advocacy services for 
beneficiaries with disabilities and how to access such services.

    Note: The technical assistance and training contractor may 
provide technical assistance materials to enable project Benefits 
Specialists to get information about the subjects in the preceding 
paragraphs. However, each awardee shall be responsible for ensuring 
that Benefits Specialists are well-versed in these areas.

    Applicants must describe any plans they have to collaborate or 
coordinate with public and private organizations to achieve and/or 
improve their project goals and submit evidence to SSA of these 
organizations' capabilities, and willingness to participate (e.g., 
letters of intent, memoranda of understanding). Applicants should not 
request letters of intent or commitment from SSA field offices. SSA 
will assure field office cooperation.
    Each applicant must describe the number of beneficiaries with 
disabilities it expects to serve. If the target group is not large 
enough to justify a minimum award of $50,000, the applicant will not be 
considered further.

    Note: All SSDI and SSI beneficiaries (including SSI recipients 
as young as age 14) within the geographic area served by the 
project, must be able to access benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach via the project.

    The project may be part of a larger State initiative; e.g., a DOL 
One-Stop Career Center, that serves other individuals with 
disabilities, such as TANF recipients; however, funds provided by SSA 
under the cooperative agreements cannot be used to serve people with 
disabilities who are not beneficiaries of SSDI and/or SSI.

C. Benefits Specialist Responsibilities and Competencies

1. Responsibilities
    Cooperative agreement awardees shall select individuals who will 
act as Benefits Specialists. Benefits Specialists will provide work 
incentives planning and assistance to beneficiaries with disabilities 
(and their families), who are potentially eligible to participate in 
Federal or State work incentives programs designed to assist disabled 
beneficiaries to work; conduct outreach efforts to beneficiaries with 
disabilities; and work in cooperation with Federal, State, and private 
agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve beneficiaries with 
disabilities. Benefits Specialists will also provide information on: 
the adequacy of health benefits coverage that may be offered by an 
employer of a beneficiary with a disability; the extent to which other 
health benefits coverage may be available to that beneficiary; and the 
availability of protection and advocacy services for beneficiaries with 
disabilities, and how to access such services.
    Benefits Planning. Benefits planning requires an in-depth 
understanding of the current status of a beneficiary being served. 
Initial benefits planning will support a beneficiary over a period of 
several weeks to several months, concluding when the beneficiary has 
received guidance to support informed choices. Benefits Specialists 
will establish plans for beneficiaries with disabilities, and develop 
long-term supports that may be needed to ensure success. Following the 
initial benefits planning process, they will provide periodic, follow-
up planning services to ensure that the information, analysis, and 
guidance are updated as new conditions (with regard to the applicable 
programs or to the individual's situation) arise.
    To provide benefits planning services, Benefits Specialists will:
    <bullet> Obtain and evaluate comprehensive information about a 
beneficiary with a disability, on the following:

--Beneficiary background information
--Disability
--Employment and earnings
--Resources
--Federal and State benefits
--Health insurance
--Work expenses
--Work incentives
--Service(s) and supports;
    <bullet> Assess the potential impacts of employment and/or other 
changes on a beneficiary's Federal and State benefits eligibility and 
overall financial well-being;
    <bullet> Provide information and assist the beneficiary in 
understanding and assessing the potential impacts of employment and/or 
other actions or changes on his/her life situation, and provide 
specific guidance regarding the affects of various work incentives;
    <bullet> Develop a comprehensive framework of possible options 
available to a beneficiary and projected results for each as part of 
the career development and employment process; and
    <bullet> Ensure confidentiality of all information provided.
    Benefits Assistance. Benefits assistance involves the delivery of 
information and direct supports for the

[[Page 34774]]

purpose of assisting a beneficiary in dealing with benefit issues and 
effectively managing benefits. Benefits assistance also involves 
providing information and referral and problem-solving services as 
needed. Benefits management services will generally build on previous 
planning and assistance services and include periodic updates of an 
individual's specific information, reassessment of benefit(s) and 
overall impacts, education and advisement, and additional planning for 
monitoring and managing benefits and work incentives.
    To provide benefits assistance services, Benefits Specialists will:
    <bullet> Provide time-limited direct assistance to a beneficiary in 
the development of a comprehensive, long-term benefits management plan 
to guide the effective monitoring and management of Federal and State 
benefits and work incentives. Specific components of the plan must 
address:

--Desired benefit and work outcomes
--Related steps or activities necessary to achieve outcomes
--Associated dates or time frames
--Building on initial benefits planning efforts including information 
gathering, analysis and advisement
--Benefits/financial analysis (pre-and post-employment);
    <bullet> Provide time-limited, intensive assistance to 
beneficiaries, their key stakeholders, and their support teams in 
making informed choices and establishing both employment-related goals 
as well as needed benefits management supports. Needed benefits 
assistance could include:
--How SSDI and SSI work incentives programs may lead to self-supporting 
employment by developing a PASS
--Developing a PASS which can be used to obtain training, education, 
and entrepreneurial opportunities
--How a PASS can be used to address some of the barriers to employment, 
such as obtaining a car for transportation needs
--The 1619(b) provisions and requirements;
    <bullet> Advocate on behalf of a beneficiary with other agencies 
and programs, which requires in-person, telephone and/or written 
communication with the individual and other involved parties generally 
over a period of several weeks to several months;
    <bullet> Provide time-limited follow-up assistance as needed to 
beneficiaries who have previously received benefits planning and/or 
other types of benefits assistance services and:
--Assist them and other involved parties to update information
--Reassess impact of employment and other changes on benefits and work 
incentives
--Provide additional guidance on benefit options, issues and management 
strategies;
    <bullet> Assist beneficiaries as needed to update benefits 
management plan;
    <bullet> Provide information, referral, and problem-solving 
support;
    <bullet> Provide ongoing, comprehensive, benefits monitoring and 
management assistance to beneficiaries who are likely to experience 
employment, benefits, or other changes that may dramatically affect 
their benefit(s) status, health care, or overall financial well being; 
and
    <bullet> Provide long-term benefits management on a scheduled, 
continuous basis, allowing for the planning and provision of supports 
at regular checkpoints, as well as critical transition points in an 
individual's benefits, employment and overall situation.
    Outreach. Outreach activities are ongoing, systematic efforts to 
inform individuals of available work incentives, as well as the 
services and supports available to enable them to access and benefit 
from those work incentives. Outreach efforts should be targeted 
directly to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities, their 
families, and to advocacy groups and service provider agencies that 
have regular contact with them. Outreach activities should be directed 
toward and sensitive to the needs of individuals from diverse ethnic 
backgrounds, persons with English as their second language, as well as 
non-English speaking persons, individuals residing in highly urban or 
rural areas, and other traditionally underserved groups.
    To conduct ongoing outreach, Benefits Specialists will:
    <bullet> Prepare and disseminate information explaining Federal or 
State work incentives programs and their interrelationships; and
    <bullet> Work in cooperation with other Federal, State, and private 
agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve beneficiaries with 
disabilities, and with agencies and organizations that focus on 
vocational rehabilitation and work-related training and counseling.
    The Benefits Specialists will conduct outreach to SSDI and SSI 
beneficiaries with disabilities (and their families), who are 
potentially eligible to participate in Federal or State work incentives 
programs that are designed to assist beneficiaries with disabilities to 
work.
2. Competencies
    A bachelor's degree is preferred. SSA may accept a combination of 
education and experience if the experience provides the knowledge, 
skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the 
position. Applicants must ensure that Benefits Specialists have the 
skills required to competently provide benefits planning and assistance 
services, and outreach.
    Benefits Specialists should bring the following knowledge, skills, 
and abilities to the position:
    <bullet> Basic math skills, with an emphasis on problem solving;
    <bullet> Deductive ability with analytical thinking and creative 
problem solving skills;
    <bullet> Acceptable interviewing skills;
    <bullet> Ability to interpret Federal laws, regulations, and 
administrative code about public benefits;
    <bullet> Communication skills (written and/or verbal);
    <bullet> Knowledge of medical terminology and awareness of cultural 
and political issues pertaining to various populations and to various 
disabilities; and
    <bullet> Basic computer skills.
    Benefits Specialists will need to become proficient in the 
following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
    <bullet> SSDI and SSI disability programs;
    <bullet> Knowledge of all public benefits programs, including 
operations and inter-relationships;
    <bullet> Translating technical information for lay individuals;
    <bullet> Accessing information in a variety of ways (including the 
ability to be able to recognize when additional information is needed);
    <bullet> Interpersonal skills (e.g., recognize and help people 
manage anger and conflict, enjoy working with individuals);
    <bullet> Counseling skills (ability to listen, evaluate 
alternatives, advise on potential cause of action);
    <bullet> Knowledge of SSA field office structure and how to work 
with various work incentives coordinators (e.g., PASS specialists, 
employment support representatives);
    <bullet> Knowledge of the structure and design of public and 
private benefits systems and local community services; and
    <bullet> Knowledge of ethics (e.g., confidentiality, conflict of 
interest).
    The applicant must clearly explain how it will ensure all 
individuals hired as Benefits Specialists will bring the previously 
described knowledge, skills, and abilities to the position, and how 
they will become proficient in the others. SSA will contract with a

[[Page 34775]]

separate entity to provide technical assistance and training to 
projects on an ongoing basis about SSA's programs and work incentives, 
Medicare and Medicaid, and other Federal work incentives programs. The 
applicant is responsible for providing technical assistance and 
training to Benefits Specialists about State and local programs.

D. Management Information and Reporting

    In addition to cooperating with the surveys outlined in Part I, 
Section D, entities must provide all collected data and report the 
results to SSA's Office of Acquisition and Grants, as described below.
    Common data elements, as defined by SSA, will be collected by all 
projects. The awardee and SSA will use the management information (MI) 
data to manage the project and to determine what additional resources 
or other approaches may be needed to improve the process. The data will 
also be valuable to SSA in its analysis of and future planning for the 
SSDI and SSI programs.
    All projects must adhere to SSA's Privacy and Confidentiality 
Regulations (20 CFR part 401) for maintaining records of individuals, 
as well as provide specific safeguards surrounding beneficiary 
information sharing, paper/computer records/data, and other issues 
potentially arising from providing benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities.
    All projects shall provide for the design, development, 
implementation, and maintenance of an MI system, which must be 
compatible with SSA database specifications that are fixed-format ASCII 
files. The MI system shall allow for necessary data collection on SSDI 
and SSI beneficiaries. For the purpose of providing MI to SSA in 
support of the implementation and management of the projects, projects 
will collect, analyze, and summarize the data listed below:
Beneficiary Background Information
1. Beneficiary/recipient name (Last, First, Middle)
2. Date of birth
3. Gender
4. Special language or other considerations
5. Mailing address
6. Telephone number
7. Social Security number
8. Representative payee (RP) name (if applicable)
9. RP address
10. Current level of education
11. Whether pursuing education currently and at what level (e.g., post 
secondary, continuing adult education, special education, vocational 
education)
12. Proposed educational goals
13. Primary diagnosis
14. Secondary diagnosis (if applicable)
15. Employer health care coverage at outset (if working)
16. Other health care coverage
Employment Information (current and proposed goal--where applicable)
1. Self-employed or employee
2. Type of work
3. Beginning date
4. Hours per week
5. Monthly gross earned income
6. Monthly net earned income
7. Work-related expenses
Proposed Training Information
1. Work-related training/counseling program
2. Proposed other training
Benefits (current and expected changes if employment goals are reached)
1. SSDI
2. SSI
3. Concurrent (SSDI and SSI)
4. Medicare
5. Medicaid
6. Subsidized housing or other rental subsidies
7. Food Stamps
8. General Assistance
9. Workers Compensation benefits
10. Unemployment Insurance benefits
11. Other Federal, State, or local supports, including TANF (specify)
Incentives To Be Used
1. Trial-work period (TWP)
2. Extended period of eligibility (EPE)
3. Impairment-related work expenses (IRWE)
4. Plan for achieving self-support (PASS)
5. 1619(a)
6. 1619(b)
7. Medicaid buy-in provisions/Balanced Budget Act
Services To Be Used
1. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services
2. Paratransit services
3. Protection and Advocacy services
4. Work-related training/counseling program
5. DOL One-Stop Career Center services
6. Transitioning youth services (from school to post-secondary 
education or to work)
Monthly Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Activities 
Performed by Benefits Planning Organization
1. Number of SSDI/SSI beneficiaries (over age 18) requesting assistance 
(initial and repeat requests)
2. Number of SSDI/SSI beneficiaries (ages 14 to 18) requesting 
assistance (initial and repeat requests)
3. Number of new benefits management plans prepared
4. Number of updated benefits management plans prepared
5. Number of presentations given at forums, conferences, meetings, etc.
    All data elements are to be collected in accordance with precise 
definitions to be provided by SSA during start-up activities. Adherence 
to such precise definitions is crucial to the comparability of the data 
across project sites.
    Entities awarded cooperative agreements under this notice shall 
submit quarterly progress reports to SSA, OAG. SSA expects that the 
projects will need a period of time to begin providing services and 
collecting management information. Therefore, the first quarterly 
report shall include a description of the project, a status of data 
collection operations, actions that were taken, planned actions, and a 
description of how the project is addressing the needs of individuals 
with disabilities from diverse ethnic and racial communities, both in 
benefits planning and in carrying out outreach activities.
    Subsequent reports shall provide: a status of the project, any 
problems or proposed changes in the project (e.g., requests for 
technical assistance from contractor, interagency agreement change); 
specific information (baseline data/program statistics) required by 
SSA, including that listed above; a description of how the project is 
addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities from diverse 
ethnic and racial communities, both in benefits planning and in 
carrying out outreach activities; actions that were taken, and planned 
actions. The quarterly reports shall be submitted to SSA, OAG, within 
30 days after the end of the quarter.
    SSA personnel (SSA Project Officer and/or other staff) expect to 
visit each project at least once in each year of the cooperative 
agreement. The SSA Project Officer shall review site operations, 
including collection of management information, and evaluate how 
projects are finding ways to make benefits planning, assistance, and 
outreach activities more effective in achieving SSA's Benefits 
Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program goals.

[[Page 34776]]

    Staff members from each project shall attend an initial training 
meeting that will include an orientation session by SSA, and subsequent 
scheduled conferences at SSA headquarters or alternate sites chosen by 
SSA. Those meetings will provide awardees of cooperative agreements 
with the opportunity to exchange information with SSA and other 
awardees.

E. Evaluation

Process Evaluation
    The purpose of process evaluation is for SSA and the awardee to 
assess how the project functioned and how the process might be altered 
to more efficiently and/or successfully provide the services required 
under this section of the Act. The process evaluation will require both 
data collection and qualitative observational evaluation through site 
visits and/or project reporting.
Participant Experience
    The goal of these cooperative agreements is the provision of 
services to enhance beneficiary awareness and understanding of SSA work 
incentives and thereby enhance beneficiaries' ability to make informed 
choices regarding work. The goal is not to provide employment services. 
Nevertheless, SSA is clearly interested in identifying participant 
outcomes under the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program 
to determine the extent to which participants achieve their employment, 
financial, and health care goals. SSA is thus requiring the collection 
of data to permit the assessment of the participants' situations 
(employment, benefit status, income, etc.) before service provision 
under these projects, and their goals after services have been 
provided. SSA intends to use this information to support the sample 
selection for participants in the customer satisfaction survey. This 
will allow SSA to include the experiences and outcomes of a broad range 
of beneficiaries.
    Each project shall submit periodic reports (as described in Part 
IV, D Data Collection and Reporting) to SSA, OAG. Data and information 
that are used in preparing the reports can be used, for example, to 
improve: the efficiency of the project's operations, use of staff, 
linkages between the project and the programs for which benefits 
planning is needed to better meet the needs of target populations. In 
addition, the results from evaluation will be disseminated to other 
projects to promote learning, program refinements, and facilitate 
partnership and achievement of project objectives. Timely comprehensive 
MI data also allows for cost accounting, which help improve the 
efficiency of service approaches and may inform future policy 
decisions.

Part V. Application Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

A. Screening Requirements

    All applications that meet the deadline will be screened to 
determine completeness and conformity to the requirements of this 
announcement. Complete and conforming applications will then be 
evaluated.
    1. Number of Copies: The applicant must submit one original signed 
and dated application and a minimum of two copies. The submission of 
seven additional copies is optional and will expedite processing, but 
will not affect the evaluation or scoring of the application.
    2. Length: The program narrative portion of the application (Part 
III of the SSA-96-BK) may not exceed 30 double-spaced pages (or 15 
single-spaced pages) on one side of the paper only, using standard 
(8\1/2\" x 11") size paper, and 12-point font. Attachments that support 
the program narrative count towards the 30-page limit.

B. Evaluation Criteria

    Applications that pass the screening process will be independently 
reviewed by at least three individuals (primarily qualified persons 
from outside of SSA), who will evaluate and score the applications 
based on the evaluation criteria. There are four categories of criteria 
used to score applications: capability; relevance/adequacy of program 
design; resources and management; and quality assurance plan. The total 
points possible for an application is 100, and sections are weighted as 
noted in the descriptions of criteria below. The score for each 
application is the sum of its parts. Although the results from the 
independent panel reviews are the primary factor used in making funding 
decisions, they are not the sole basis for making awards. The 
Commissioner will consider other factors as well when making funding 
decisions. For instance, the need to assure the required geographic 
distribution of projects may take precedence over rankings/scores of 
the review panel.
    Following are the evaluation criteria that SSA will use in 
reviewing all applications (relative weights are shown in parentheses):
1. Capability  (20 points)
    The applicant's capability to deliver benefits planning and 
assistance services will be judged by:
    <bullet> Description of how entity will test for Benefits 
Specialist competencies listed in Part IV and provide any needed 
training to ensure competencies will be maintained and/or enhanced; (8 
points)
    <bullet> Description of the proposed administration and 
organization of the project, including the existence of the necessary 
administrative resources to effectively carry out the project; and (7 
points)
    <bullet> Project Director's and key staff's documentation of 
experience and results of past projects of this nature (extra 
consideration may be given to applicants based on the quality and 
extent of their experience in return-to-work efforts for SSDI and SSI 
beneficiaries with disabilities). (5 points)
2. Relevance/Adequacy of Project Design  (30 points)
    The adequacy of project design will be judged by:
    <bullet> A description of the project operations, including how the 
project will work (e.g., identification and notification of potential 
project participants about availability of benefits planning and 
assistance services, location for providing services, ability to travel 
to beneficiary, etc.) and the quality of the project design; (6 points)
    <bullet> A description of how the project will address provision of 
benefits planning, assistance, and outreach to transition-to-work aged 
SSI youth; (5 points)
    <bullet> A description of how the project will address provision of 
benefits planning, assistance, and outreach to populations with special 
cultural or language requirements; (5 points)
    <bullet> Evidence of collaboration with relevant agencies, 
including collocation within a DOL One-Stop Career Center organization, 
in providing benefits planning and assistance services; and extent and 
clarity of collaborative efforts with other organizations, including 
letters of intent or written assurances; and (5 points)
    <bullet> A concise and clear statement of the project goals and 
objectives; MI data to be collected; specification of data sources; and 
how quality assurance will be realized; (4 points)
    <bullet> Description of problems that may arise and how they will 
be resolved; e.g., how dropouts and inadequate numbers of participants 
will be handled; and (3 points)

[[Page 34777]]

    <bullet> Evidence of how the approach proposed will accomplish 
Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program goals. (2 points)
3. Resources and Management  (30 points)
    Resources and management will be judged by:
    <bullet> Appropriateness of qualifications of the project 
personnel, as evidenced by training and experience indicating that they 
have the skills required to competently provide benefits planning and 
assistance services, and outreach; (8 points)
    <bullet> Evidence of successful previous experience related to 
benefits planning, assistance, and outreach programs; (4 points)
    <bullet> Evidence that the applicant has a working knowledge of 
work incentives and the various programs available to beneficiaries 
with disabilities; (4 points)
    <bullet> Evidence of adequate facilities (e.g., collocation within 
a DOL One-Stop Career Center) and resources to deliver services; (4 
points)
    <bullet> Appropriateness of the case management and monitoring 
systems and techniques, including an MI system, quality assurance 
system, and a range of other monitoring and management options; (3 
points)
    <bullet> Extent and quality of project assurances that sufficient 
resources (including personnel, time, funds, and facilities) will be 
available to support services to beneficiaries; (3 points)
    <bullet> Evidence that the applicant will meaningfully involve 
family members and other representatives of target groups, including 
advocates in the process of delivery services; and (2 points)
    <bullet> Cost effectiveness, per client costs, and reasonableness 
of overall project cost relative to planned services. (2 points)
4. Quality Assurance  (20 points)
    The applicant's quality assurance plan will be judged by:
    <bullet> Extent to which training is accommodated and planned for 
to ensure that all Benefits Specialists maintain knowledge, skills, and 
abilities, and acquire more; (6 points)
    <bullet> Extent to which the awardee proposes to use MI data to 
improve processes and ensure that all information given is accurate and 
pertinent; (4 points)
    <bullet> Extent to which the proposed quality assurance plan 
complies with the requirements of SSA, in terms of data collection, 
reporting, and ensuring that only accurate information is provided to 
beneficiaries and others; (4 points)
    <bullet> Extent to which the proposed staff demonstrate expertise 
in the area of benefits planning and assistance; and (4 points)
    <bullet> The extent to which staff have experience collecting, 
protecting, and analyzing data on beneficiaries with disabilities to 
provide benefits planning and assistance services, and outreach. (2 
points)

Part VI. Instructions for Obtaining and Submitting Application

A. Availability of Forms

    The Internet is the primary means recommended for obtaining an 
application kit under this program announcement. An application kit 
containing all of the prescribed forms and instructions needed to apply 
for a cooperative agreement under this announcement may be obtained at 
the following Internet address: ssa.gov/oag/grants.
    However, in the rare instances when an organization may not have 
access to the Internet, an application kit may be obtained by writing 
to: Grants Management Team, Office of Operations Contracts and Grants, 
OAG, Social Security Administration, 1-E-4 Gwynn Oak Building, 1710 
Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21207-5279.
    Requests submitted by mail should include two return address 
labels. Also, please provide the name, title and telephone number of 
the individual to contact; and the organization's name, street address, 
city, State and zip code.
    To ensure receipt of the proper kit, please include program 
announcement number SSA-OESP-00-1 and the date of this announcement.

B. Checklist for a Complete Application

    The checklist below is a guide to ensure that the application 
package has been properly prepared.

--An original, signed and dated application plus at least two copies. 
Seven additional copies are optional but will expedite processing.
--The program narrative portion of the application (Part III of the 
SSA-96-BK) may not exceed thirty double-spaced pages (or fifteen 
single-spaced pages) on one side of the paper only, using standard 
(8\1/2\" x 11") size paper, and 12-point font. Attachments that support 
the program narrative count towards the 30-page limit.
--Attachments/Appendices, when included, should be used only to provide 
supporting documentation. Please do not include books or videotapes as 
they are not easily reproduced and are therefore inaccessible to 
reviewers.
--A complete application, which consists of the following items in this 
order:

    (1) Part I (Face page)--Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424, 
REV 4-88);
    (2) Table of Contents;
    (3) Project Summary (not to exceed one page);
    (4) Part II--Budget Information, Sections A through G (Form SSA-96-
BK);
    (5) Budget Justification (in Section B Budget Categories, explain 
how amounts were computed), including subcontract organization budgets;
    (6) Part III--Application Narrative and Appendices;
    (7) Part IV--Assurances;
    (8) Additional Assurances and Certifications--regarding Lobbying 
and regarding Drug-Free Workplace; and
    (9) Form SSA-3966-PC--acknowledgement of receipt of application 
(applicant's return address must be inserted on the form).

C. Guidelines for Application Submission

    All applications for cooperative agreement projects under this 
announcement must be submitted on the prescribed forms included in the 
application kit. The application shall be executed by an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant organization and to assume for the 
applicant organization the obligations imposed by the terms and 
conditions of the cooperative agreement award.
    In item 11 of the Face Sheet (SF 424), the applicant must clearly 
indicate the application submitted is in response to this announcement 
(SSA-OESP-00-1). The applicant also is encouraged to select a SHORT 
descriptive project title.
    Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to: Grants Management 
Team, Office of Operations Contracts and Grants, OAG, DCFAM, Social 
Security Administration, Attention: SSA-OESP-00-1, 1-E-4 Gwynn Oak 
Building, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21207-5279.
    Hand-delivered applications are accepted between the hours of 8 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. An application will be 
considered as meeting the deadline if it is either:
    1. Received on or before the deadline date at the above address; or
    2. Mailed through the U.S. Postal Service or sent by commercial 
carrier on or before the deadline date and received in time to be 
considered during the competitive review and evaluation process. 
Packages must be postmarked by July 31, 2000. Applicants are cautioned 
to request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or to obtain a

[[Page 34778]]

legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier as evidence of timely 
mailing. Private-metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof of 
timely mailing.
    Applications that do not meet the above criteria are considered 
late applications. SSA will not waive or extend the deadline for any 
application unless the deadline is waived or extended for all 
applications. SSA will notify each late applicant that its application 
will not be considered.
Paperwork Reduction Act
    This notice contains reporting requirements. However, the 
information is collected using form SSA-96-BK, Federal Assistance 
Application, which has the Office of Management and Budget clearance 
number 0960-0184.

    Dated: May 25, 2000.
Kenneth S. Apfel,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 00-13649 Filed 5-30-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-U


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