[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78443-78448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25167]



[[Page 78443]]

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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No: SSA-2023-0043]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and 
Comment 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, and one new 
information collection for OMB-approval.
    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, 
Fax: 202-395-6974
(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ed1ccb0ccfbeef1eceaedb0ddf2fbffecfff0fdfbdeededffb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="337c611d6156435c4147401d705f565241525d5056734040521d545c45">[email protected]</span></a>

    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-2023-0043] in your submitted 
response.
    I. 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 
January 16, 2024. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection 
instruments by writing to the above email address.
    1. Beyond Benefits Study (BBS)--0960-NEW. The BBS will provide SSA 
with information regarding the needs of individuals who, due to medical 
improvement or a change in eligibility, have ``exited'' (called 
Exiters), or are likely to ``exit'' (called Possible Exiters) the 
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, the Supplemental 
Security Income (SSI) program, or both. The BBS will provide SSA with a 
clearer understanding of the challenges and needs of the target 
population as Exiters leave the safety net and security of disability 
benefits and attempt to return to work. SSA will use the findings from 
the BBS to identify potential interventions and policies to help 
Exiters and Possible Exiters achieve sustainable, substantial work 
leading to self-sufficiency.
    In seeking to understand the needs (e.g., service, medical, and 
employment) of Exiters and Possible Exiters, the study aims to answer 
three primary research questions: (1) what are the service, medical, 
and employment needs required to achieve sustainable, substantive 
employment among individuals who exit SSDI/SSI programs; (2) what are 
the types of services, resources, and interventions that will help 
exiting individuals obtain and retain employment, and should SSA 
consider a larger test study; and (3) what policy recommendations will 
facilitate substantive and sustainable employment among individuals who 
exit SSDI/SSI programs?
    The BBS will help SSA answer these questions by collecting data 
through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Quantitative data 
collection via the survey will include 4,000 participants stratified by 
exit status and other criteria. The sample will include 2,000 Possible 
Exiters, 1,000 Short-term Exiters (have exited within the last year), 
and 1,000 Long-term Exiters (have exited within the last 1-5 years) 
with 75% of respondents in each group having a high-scoring likelihood 
of medical improvement based on the Continuing Disability Review (CDR) 
profiling model. The sample will be further stratified by program type 
(SSDI versus SSI) and by recommended determinants of self-sufficiency 
(e.g., age, type of impairment, and urban or rural locality).
    The Motivational Interviewing Pilot Test will recruit 50 Exiters to 
participate in six sessions. During these sessions, motivational 
interviewers assess each participant's readiness to return to work 
using a standardized screener and explore the interest and motivation 
relating to obtaining and retaining employment as well as career 
advancement. Participants who drop out after the first session will be 
replaced.
    Data collection via the interviews and focus groups will include 
(1) qualitative in-depth interviews with Exiters and Possible Exiters 
(70 individuals); (2) ten focus groups with Exiters and Possible 
Exiters (140 individuals, total); (3) two focus groups with service 
providers (20 individuals, total); (4) in-depth interviews with state 
and agency leadership (30 individuals); and, (5) a focus group with the 
motivational interview (MI) practitioners (five individuals). The 
respondents are individuals who have volunteered to take part in the 
study and are exiting (Exiters) or may be exiting (Possible Exiters) 
SSA's disability program(s) due to medical improvement or changes in 
eligibility; vocational service providers; state and agency leadership; 
and motivational interviewers.
    Type of Request: Request for a new information collection.

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                                                                                                                              Average
                                                                                              Average                       theoretical    Total annual
                     Study component                         Number of     Frequency of     burden per     Total burden     hourly cost     opportunity
                                                            respondents      responses       response          hours          amount      cost (dollars)
                                                                                             (minutes)                      (dollars) *         **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interviews with Exiters and Possible Exiters (icl.                    70               1              65              76        * $12.81         ** $974
 Informed consent and pre-collection questions).........
Focus groups with Exiters and Possible Exiters (icl.                 140               1              65             152         * 12.81        ** 1,947
 Informed consent and pre-collection questions).........
Focus group with service providers (icl. Informed                     20               1              65              22            * 24          ** 528
 consent and pre-collection questions)..................
Focus group with motivational interviewer practitioners                5               1              65               5            * 35          ** 175
 (icl. Informed consent)................................
In-depth interviews with state and agency leadership                  30               1              65              33            * 56        ** 1,848
 (icl. Informed consent and pre-collection questions)...
Survey (icl. Informed consent and pre-collection                   4,000               1              50           3,333         * 12.81       ** 42,696
 questions).............................................
MI Pilot (icl. Informed consent and pre-collection                    50               6              60             300         * 12.81        ** 3,843
 questions).............................................
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 78444]]

 
    Total...............................................           4,315           4,565  ..............           3,921  ..............       ** 52,011
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* We base this figure on average DI payments wages for disability recipients as reported by SSA data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2023factsheet.pdf).
** 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. Help America Vote Act--0960-0706. House Rule 3295, the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002, mandates that States verify the identities of 
newly registered voters. When newly registered voters do not have 
driver's licenses or State-issued ID cards, they must supply the last 
four digits of their Social Security number to their local State 
election agencies for verification. The election agencies forward this 
information to their State Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and the 
State MVA inputs the data into the American Association of MVAs, a 
central consolidation system that routes the voter data to SSA's Help 
America Vote Verification (HAVV) system. Once SSA's HAVV system 
confirms the identity of the voter, the information returns along the 
same route in reverse until it reaches the State election agency. The 
respondents are the State MVAs seeking to confirm voter identities.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                                            Average
                                                                                      Average  burden  Estimated total    theoretical      Total annual
      Modality of completion          Number of       Frequency of      Number of      per  response    annual burden     hourly cost      opportunity
                                     respondents        response        responses        (minutes)         (hours)           amount       cost (dollars)
                                                                                                                          (dollars) *           **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAVV.............................              48          102,200        4,905,600                2          163,520         $22.07 *    $3,608,886 **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on average local government information and records clerk's salary shown on the Bureau of Labor Statistic's website (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes434199.htm).
** 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.

    II. SSA submitted the information collections below to OMB for 
clearance. Your comments regarding these information collections would 
be most useful if OMB and SSA receive them 30 days from the date of 
this publication. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive 
them no later than December 15, 2023. Individuals can obtain copies of 
these OMB clearance packages by writing to the 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e1aeb3cfb384918e939592cfa28d848093808f8284a1929280cf868e97"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d09f82fe82b5a0bfa2a4a3fe93bcb5b1a2b1beb3b590a3a3b1feb7bfa6">[email protected]</span></a>.
    1. Application for a Social Security Number (SSN) Card, the Social 
Security Number Application Process (SSNAP), and Internet SSN 
Replacement Card (iSSNRC) Application--20 CFR 422.103-422.110--0960-
0066. SSA collects information on the SS-5 (used in the United States) 
and SS-5-FS (used outside the United States) to issue original or 
replacement Social Security cards. SSA also enters the application data 
into the SSNAP application when issuing a card via telephone or in 
person. In addition, hospitals collect the same information on SSA's 
behalf for newborn children through the Enumeration at Birth (EAB) 
process. In this process, parents of newborns provide hospital birth 
registration clerks with information required to register these 
newborns. Hospitals send this information to State Bureaus of Vital 
Statistics (BVS), and they send the information to SSA's National 
Computer Center. SSA then uploads the data to the SSA mainframe along 
with all other enumeration data, and we assign the newborn a SSN and 
issue a Social Security card. The vast majority of applications for 
original SSN cards utilize EAB. In addition, the iSSNRC internet 
application collects information similar to the paper SS-5 for no-
change replacement SSN cards for adult U.S. citizens. The iSSNRC 
modality allows certain applicants for SSN replacement cards to 
complete the internet application and submit the required evidence 
online rather than completing a paper Form SS-5. Finally, oSSNAP 
collects information similar to that which we collect on the paper SS-5 
for no change situations, with the exception of name change, new or 
replacement SSN cards for U.S. Citizens (adult and minor children), and 
replacement cards only for non-U.S. citizens. oSSNAP allows these 
applicants for new or replacement SSN cards to start the application 
process on-line, receive a list of evidentiary documents, and then 
submit the application data to SSA for further processing by SSA 
employees. Applicants then visit a local SSA office to complete the 
application process. In some instances, SSA collects race and ethnicity 
information as part of the SSN card application process. Response to 
the race and ethnicity questions is voluntary. SSA plans to expand the 
EAB process to include SSA receipt of race and ethnicity information 
for the newborn and parent(s) when the parent(s) consent to release of 
this voluntary information. Obtaining parental consent for this new 
data will require States and Jurisdictions to add questions to collect 
a newborn's race and ethnicity information. This will also require BVS 
to electronically share the race and ethnicity of parent(s) and 
newborns, for instances when the record shows the state of jurisdiction 
obtained parental consent, consistent with the EAB process. The 
respondents for this information collection are applicants for original 
and replacement Social Security cards, or individuals who wish to 
change information in their SSN records, who use any of the modalities 
described above.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

[[Page 78445]]



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                                                                                                           Average
                                                                           Average        Estimated      theoretical    Average wait      Total annual
         Application scenario             Number of     Frequency of     burden per     total annual     hourly cost    time in field   opportunity cost
                                         respondents      response        response     burden (hours)      amount          office        (dollars) ***
                                                                          (minutes)                      (dollars) *    (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      EAB Modality
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hospital staff who relay the State          3,759,517               1               5         313,293        * $24.49            ** 0     *** $7,672,546
 birth certificate information to the
 BVS and SSA through the EAB process.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     iSSNRC Modality
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adult U.S. Citizens requesting a            3,002,698               1               5         250,225         * 29.76            ** 0      *** 7,447,589
 replacement card with no changes
 through the iSSNRC..................
Adult U.S. Citizens requesting a                1,312               1               5             109         * 29.76            ** 0          *** 3,244
 replacement card with a name change
 through iSSNRC......................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     oSSNAP Modality
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adult U.S. Citizens providing                 822,104               1               5          68,509         * 29.76           ** 24     *** 11,825,136
 information to receive a replacement
 card through the oSSNAP \+\.........
Adult U.S. Citizens providing                  37,323               1               5           3,110         * 29.76           ** 24        *** 536,841
 information to receive an original
 card through the oSSNAP \+\.........
Adult Non-U.S. Citizens providing             204,081               1               5          17,007         * 29.76           ** 24      *** 2,935,497
 information to receive an original
 card through the oSSNAP \+\.........
Adult Non-U.S. Citizens providing              84,635               1               5           7,053         * 29.76           ** 24      *** 1,217,392
 information to receive a replacement
 card through the oSSNAP\+\..........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   SSNAP/SS-5 Modality
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Respondents who do not have to              6,973,505               1               9       1,046,026         * 29.76           ** 24    *** 114,142,337
 provide parents' SSNs...............
Respondents whom we ask to provide            207,521               1               9          31,128         * 29.76           ** 24      *** 3,396,717
 parents' SSNs (when applying for
 original SSN cards for children
 under age 12).......................
Applicants age 12 or older who need         1,113,144               1              10         185,524         * 29.76           ** 24     *** 18,772,072
 to answer additional questions so
 SSA can determine whether we
 previously assigned an SSN..........
Applicants asking for a replacement             6,703               1              60           6,703         * 29.76           ** 24        *** 279,268
 SSN card beyond the allowable limits
 (i.e., who must provide additional
 documentation to accompany the
 application)........................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Enumeration Quality Review
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorization to SSA to obtain                    500               1              15             125         * 29.76           ** 24          *** 9,672
 personal information cover letter...
Authorization to SSA to obtain                    500               1              15             125         * 29.76           ** 24          *** 9,672
 personal information follow-up cover
 letter..............................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Grand Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals...............................      16,213,543  ..............  ..............       1,928,937  ..............  ..............    *** 168,247,983
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\+\ The number of respondents for this modality is an estimate based on google analytics data for the SS-5 form downloads from SSA.Gov.
* We based this figure on average Hospital Records Clerks (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292098.htm), and average U.S. worker's hourly wages
  (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm) as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
** We based this figure on the average FY 2023 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. Agreement to Sell Property--20 CFR 416.1240-416.1245--0960-0127. 
Individuals or couples who are otherwise eligible for SSI payments, but 
whose resources exceed the allowable limit, may receive conditional 
payments if they agree to dispose of the excess non-liquid resources 
and make repayments. SSA uses Form SSA-8060-U3 to document this 
agreement, and to ensure the individuals understand their obligations. 
Respondents are applicants for and recipients of SSI payments who will 
be disposing of excess non-liquid resources.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

[[Page 78446]]



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                                                                                                                           Average wait
                                                                              Average                         Average      time in field   Total annual
                                             Number of     Frequency of     burden per       Estimated      theoretical    office or for    opportunity
         Modality of completion             respondents      response        response      total annual     hourly cost     teleservice   cost (dollars)
                                                                             (minutes)    burden (hours)      amount          centers           ***
                                                                                                            (dollars) *    (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-8060-U3 (telephone interview).......          10,000               1              20           3,333        * $29.76           ** 19    *** $193,440
SSA-8060-U3 (paper).....................          10,000               1              20           3,333         * 29.76           ** 24     *** 218,230
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................          20,000  ..............  ..............           6,666  ..............  ..............    *** 411,6710
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* We based this figures on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, 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 2023 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, 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.

    3. Work Activity Report (Self-Employment)--20 CFR 404.1520(b), 
404.1571-404.1576, 404.1584-404.1593, and 416.971-416.976--0960-0598. 
SSA uses Form SSA-820-BK to determine initial or continuing eligibility 
for: (1) Title II SSDI; or (2) Title XVI SSI payments. Under Titles II 
and XVI of the Social Security Act, recipients receive disability 
benefits and SSI payments based on their inability to engage in 
substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a physical or mental 
condition. Therefore, when the recipients resume work, they must report 
their work so SSA can evaluate and determine by law whether they 
continue to meet the disability requirements. SSA uses Form SSA-820-BK 
to obtain information on self-employment activities of Social Security 
Title II and XVI disability applicants and recipients. SSA uses the 
data we obtain to evaluate disability claims, and to help us determine 
if the claimant meets current disability provisions under Titles II and 
XVI. Since applicants for disability benefits or payments must prove an 
inability to perform any kind of SGA generally available in the 
national economy for which we expect them to qualify based on age, 
education, and work experience, any work an applicant performed until, 
or subsequent to, the date the disability allegedly began, affects our 
disability determination. The respondents are applicants and claimants 
for SSI payments or SSDI benefits.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                                           Average wait
                                                                              Average                         Average      time in field   Total annual
                                             Number of     Frequency of     burden per       Estimated      theoretical    office or for    opportunity
         Modality of completion             respondents      response        response      total annual     hourly cost     teleservice   cost (dollars)
                                                                             (minutes)    burden (hours)      amount          centers           ***
                                                                                                            (dollars) *    (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-820-BK (in Office)..................          12,144               1              30           6,072        * $12.81           ** 24    *** $140,013
SSA-820-BK (phone)......................          36,428               1              30          18,214         * 12.81           ** 19     *** 381,085
SSA-820-BK (paper)......................          48,571               1              30          24,286         * 12.81               0     *** 311,104
SSA-820-APP (online submission).........           2,857               1              30           1,429         * 12.81               0      *** 18,305
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on average DI payments, as reported in SSA's disability insurance payment data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2023factsheet.pdf).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2023 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, 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.

    4. Social Security's Public Credentialing and Authentication 
Process--20 CFR 401.45 and 402--0960-0789.

Background

    Authentication is the foundation for secure, online transactions. 
Identity authentication is the process of determining, with confidence, 
that someone is who he or she claims to be during a remote, automated 
session. It comprises three distinct factors: something you know; 
something you have; and something you are. Single-factor authentication 
uses one of the factors, and multi-factor authentication uses two or 
more of the factors.

SSA's Public Credentialing and Authentication Process

    SSA offers consistent authentication across SSA's secured online 
services. SSA allows our users to request and maintain only one User 
ID, consisting of a self-selected username and password, to access 
multiple Social Security electronic services. Designed in accordance 
with the OMB Memorandum M-04-04 and the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-63, this process provides 
the means of authenticating users of our secured electronic services 
and streamlines access to those services. SSA's public credentialing 
and authentication process:
    <bullet> Issues a single User ID to anyone who wants to do business 
with the agency and meets the eligibility criteria;
    <bullet> Partners with an external Identity Services Provider (ISP) 
to help us verify the identity of our online customers;
    <bullet> Complies with relevant standards;
    <bullet> Offers access to some of SSA's most pertinent, but more 
sensitive, workloads online while providing a high level of confidence 
in the identity of the person requesting access to these services;
    <bullet> Offers an in-person process for those who are 
uncomfortable with or unable to use the internet process;
    <bullet> Balances security with ease of use; and
    <bullet> Provides a user-friendly way for the public to conduct 
extended business with us online instead of visiting local servicing 
offices or requesting information over the phone. Individuals have 
real-time access to their Social Security information in a safe and 
secure web environment.

Public Credentialing and Authentication Process Features

    SSA collects and maintains the users' personally identifiable 
information (PII) in our Central Repository of Electronic 
Authentication Data Master File Privacy Act system of records, which we 
published in the Federal Register (75 FR 79065). The PII may include 
the users' name; address; date of birth; SSN; phone number; and other 
types of

[[Page 78447]]

identity information [e.g., address information of persons from the W-2 
and Schedule Self Employed forms we receive electronically for our 
programmatic purposes as permitted by 26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(1)(A)]. SSA may 
also collect knowledge-based authentication data, which is information 
users establish with us or that we already maintain in our existing 
Privacy Act systems of records.
    SSA retains the data necessary to administer and maintain our e-
Authentication infrastructure. This includes management and profile 
information, such as blocked accounts; failed access data; effective 
date of passwords; and other data allowing us to evaluate the system's 
effectiveness. The data we maintain also may include archived 
transaction data and historical data. SSA uses the information from 
this collection to identity proof and authenticate our users online, 
and to allow them access to their personal information from our 
records. We also use this information to provide second factor 
authentication. SSA is committed to expanding and improving this 
process so we can grant access to additional online services in the 
future.
    Offering online services is not only an important part of meeting 
SSA's goals, but is vital to good public service. In increasing 
numbers, the public expects to conduct complex business over the 
internet. Ensuring SSA's online services are both secure and user-
friendly is our priority.
    SSA awarded a competitively bid contract to an ISP, Equifax \1\, to 
help us verify the identity of our online customers. SSA uses this ISP, 
in addition to our other authentication methods, to help us prove, or 
verify, the identity of our customers when they are completing online 
or electronic transactions with us.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Equifax is a data aggregator, and that their data helps SSA 
mitigate fraud.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Social Security's Authentication Strategy

    SSA remains committed to enhancing our online services using 
authentication processes that balance usability and security. We will 
continue to research and develop new authentication tools while 
monitoring the emerging threats.
    The following are key components of our authentication strategy:

<bullet> Enrollment and Identity Verification

    Individuals who meet the following eligibility requirements may 
enroll:
    [cir] Must have a valid email address;
    [cir] Must have a valid SSN;
    [cir] Must have a domestic address of record (includes military 
addresses); and
    [cir] Must be at least 18 years of age.
    We collect identifying data and use SSA and ISP records to verify 
an individual's identity. Individuals have the option of obtaining an 
enhanced, stronger, User ID by providing certain financial information 
(e.g., Medicare wages, self-employed earnings, or the last eight digits 
of a credit card number) for verification. We also ask individuals to 
answer out-of-wallet questions so we can further verify their 
identities. Individuals who are unable to complete the process online 
can present identification at a field office to obtain a User ID.

<bullet> Establishing the User Profile

    The individual self-selects a username and password, both of which 
can be of variable length and alphanumeric. SSA provides a password 
strength indicator to help the individual select a strong password. We 
also ask the individual to choose challenge questions for use in 
restoring a lost or forgotten username or password.

<bullet> Provide a Second Factor

    SSA asks the individual to provide a text message enabled cell 
phone number or an email address. We consider the cell phone number or 
email address the second factor of authentication. SSA sends a security 
code to the individual's selected second factor. We require the 
individual to confirm its receipt by entering the security code online. 
Subsequently, each time the individual attempts to sign in to his or 
her online account, we will also send a message with a one-time 
security code to the individual's selected second factor. The 
individual must enter the security code along with his or her username 
and password. The code is valid for only 10 minutes. If the individual 
does not enter the code within 10 minutes, the code expires, and the 
individual must request another code.

<bullet> Enhancing the User ID

    If individuals opt to enhance or upgrade their User IDs, SSA 
requires them to provide certain financial information for 
verification. SSA mails a one-time-use upgrade code to the individual's 
verified residential address. When the individual receives the upgrade 
code in the mail, he or she can enter this code online to enhance the 
security of the account. With extra security, we continue to require 
the individuals to sign in using their username, password, and a one-
time security code we send to their second factor email address or cell 
phone number (whichever the users listed in their account).

<bullet> Sign in and Use

    SSA's authentication process provides an individual with a User ID 
for access to our sensitive online Social Security services. Second 
factor authentication requires the individual to sign in with a 
username, password, and a one-time security code sent to the 
individual's selected second factor. SSA expanded its existing 
capabilities to require second factor authentication for every online 
sign in. We also allow for maintenance of the second factor options. An 
individual who forgets the password can reset it automatically without 
contacting SSA.

Social Security's Enrollment Process

    The enrollment process is a one-time only activity. SSA requires 
the individuals to agree to the ``Terms of Service'' detailed on our 
website before we allow them to begin the enrollment process. The 
``Terms of Service'' inform the individuals what we will and will not 
do with their personal information, and the privacy and security 
protections we provide on all data we collect. These terms also detail 
the consequences of misusing this service. To verify the individual's 
identity, we ask the individual to give us minimal personal 
information, which may include:
    <bullet> Name;
    <bullet> SSN;
    <bullet> Date of birth;
    <bullet> Address--mailing and residential;
    <bullet> Telephone number;
    <bullet> Email address;
    <bullet> Financial information;
    <bullet> Cell phone number; and
    <bullet> Selecting and answering password reset questions.
    We send a subset of this information to the ISP, who then generates 
a series of out-of-wallet questions back to the individual. The 
individual must answer all or most of the questions correctly before 
continuing in the process. The exact questions generated are unique to 
each individual.
    This collection of information, or a subset of it, is mandatory for 
respondents who want to do business with SSA via the internet. We 
collect this information via the internet, on SSA's public-facing 
website. SSA also offers an in-person identification verification 
process for individuals who cannot, or are not willing, to register 
online. For this process, the individual must go to a local SSA field 
office and provide identifying information. SSA does not ask for 
financial information with the in-person process.
    SSA only collects the identity verification information one time, 
when

[[Page 78448]]

the individual registers for a credential. We ask for the User ID 
(username and password) every time an individual signs in to our 
automated services. If individuals opt for the enhanced or upgraded 
account, they also either receive an email message or a text message on 
their cell phones (this serves as the second factor for authentication) 
each time they sign in.
    The respondents are individuals who choose to use the internet or 
Automated Telephone Response System to conduct business with SSA.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           Average
                                                                           Average        Estimated      theoretical    Average wait      Total annual
       Modality of  completion            Number of     Frequency of     burden per     total annual     hourly cost    time in field   opportunity cost
                                         respondents      response        response     burden (hours)      amount          office        (dollars) ***
                                                                          (minutes)                      (dollars) *    (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Registrations...............      11,788,914               1               8       1,571,855        * $29.76  ..............        $46,778,405
Internet Sign-Ins....................     124,989,089               1               1       2,083,151         * 29.76  ..............      *** 6,194,574
Intranet Registration (RCS)..........          54,908               1               8           7,321         * 29.76           ** 24        *** 871,492
    Totals...........................     136,832,911  ..............  ..............       3,662,327  ..............  ..............     *** 53,844,471
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000).
** We based these figures on the average FY 2022 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.


    Dated: November 9, 2023.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.

[FR Doc. 2023-25167 Filed 11-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P


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