In compliance with Public Law 104-13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, SSA is providing notice of its information collections that require submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 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 on ways to minimize burden on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 

I. The information collections listed below will be submitted to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. Therefore, comments and recommendations regarding the information collections would be most useful if received by the Agency within 60 days from the date of this publication. Comments should be directed to the SSA Reports Clearance Officer at the address listed at the end of this publication. You can obtain a copy of the collection instruments by calling the SSA Reports Clearance Officer on (410) 965-4145, or by writing to him at the address listed at the end of this publication. 

1. Claimant's Medications—0960-0289. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses Form HA-4632 to request that applicants for disability benefits provide information to facilitate processing their title II, Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) and Title XVI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. The form elicits from the claimants an updated list of medications used by the claimants. It enables the Administrative Law Judge hearing the case to fully inquire into medical treatment the claimant is receiving and the effect of medications on the claimant's medical impairments. The respondents are applicants for OASDI and SSI benefits. 

*Number of Respondents:*                     171,939.                 

*Frequency of Response:*                     1.                 

*Average Burden Per Response:*                     15 minutes.                 

*Estimated Annual Burden:*                     42,985 hours.                 

                    2. Statement of Employer—0960-0030. The information collected on Form SSA-7011 is needed by SSA to substantiate allegations of wages paid to workers when those wages do not appear in SSA's records of earnings and the worker does not have proof that payment was made. This information is                     Start Printed Page 6685                    used to process claims for social security benefits and to resolve discrepancies in earnings records. The respondents are certain employers who can verify allegations of wages made by the wage earner.                 

*Number of Respondents:*                     925,000.                 

*Frequency of Response:*                     1.                 

*Average Burden Per Response:*                     20 minutes.                 

*Estimated Annual Burden:*                     308,333 hours.                 

3. Request for SSI Benefit Estimate—0960-0492. SSA uses Form SSA-3716 for an SSI beneficiary who wishes to request a 5-month estimate of what their benefits would be if they should return to work in the future. The respondents are SSI recipients. 

*Number of Respondents:*                     50,000.                 

*Frequency of Response:*                     1.                 

*Average Burden Per Response:*                     5 minutes.                 

*Estimated Annual Burden:*                     4,167 hours.                 

II. The information collections listed below have been submitted to OMB for clearance. Written comments and recommendations on the information collections would be most useful if received within 30 days from the date of this publication. Comments should be directed to the SSA Reports Clearance Officer and the OMB Desk Officer at the addresses listed at the end of this publication. You can obtain a copy of the OMB clearance packages by calling the SSA Reports Clearance Officer on (410) 965-4145, or by writing to him. 

1. Vocational Rehabilitation “301” Program Development—0960-0282. The information on Form SSA-4290 is used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine an individual's continued entitlement to disability benefits when that individual has medically recovered while allegedly participating in a State or alternate Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. The respondents are State or alternate VR agencies serving such beneficiaries. 

*Number of Respondents:*                     8,000.                 

*Frequency of Response:*                     1.                 

*Average Burden Per Response:*                     15 minutes.                 

*Estimated Annual Burden:*                     2,000 hours.                 

2. Certificate of Election for Reduced Spouse's Benefits—0960-0398. SSA uses the information collected on Form SSA-25 to pay a qualified spouse who elects to receive a reduced benefit at an earlier age. The respondents are entitled spouses seeking reduced benefits. 

*Number of Respondents:*                     30,000.                

*Frequency of Response:*                     1.                 

*Average Burden Per Response:*                     2 minutes.                 

*Estimated Annual Burden:*                     1,000 hours.                 

                    3. Statement of Funds You Provided to Another, Statement of Funds You Received-0960-0481. Forms SSA-2854 & SSA-2855 are used by SSA to collect information in situations where the SSI claimant alleges that money was borrowed on an informal basis from a noncommercial lender,                     *e.g.,*                     a relative or friend, etc. These statements are completed by the borrower/claimant and the lender and are required to determine whether the proceeds from the transaction are/are not income to the borrower/claimant. If the transaction constitutes a bona fide loan, the proceeds are not income to the SSI borrower/claimant. The respondents are applicants for and recipients of SSI payments who borrow money on an informal (noncommercial) basis and individuals who lend money informally to SSI applicants and recipients.                 

*Number of Respondents:*                     40,000.                 

*Frequency of Response:*                     1.                 

*Average Burden Per Response:*                     10 minutes.                 

*Estimated Annual Burden:*                     6,667 hours.                

(SSA Address): Social Security Administration, DCFAM, Attn: Frederick W. Brickenkamp, 6401 Security Blvd., 1-A-21 Operations Bldg., Baltimore, MD 21235 

(OMB Address): Office of Management and Budget, OIRA, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA, New Executive Office Building, Room 10230, 725 17th St., NW, Washington, DC 20503 

Dated: February 3, 2000. 

Frederick W. Brickenkamp, 

Reports Clearance Office, Social Security Administration. 

[FR Doc. 00-3010 Filed 2-9-00; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4191-02-P