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 Social Security Administration [Docket No: SSA-2024-0050]
 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 a revision of an OMB-approved information collection. 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 (SSA), Social Security Administration, OLCA, Attn: Reports Clearance Director, Mail Stop 3253 Altmeyer, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235, Fax: 833-410-1631, Email address: 
                    *OR.Reports.Clearance@ssa.gov* Or you may submit your comments online through 
                    *https://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAmain*
                     by clicking on Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments and choosing to click on one of SSA's published items. Please reference Docket ID Number [SSA-2024-0050] in your submitted response. The information collection below is pending at SSA. SSA will submit it to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than January 27, 2025. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instruments by writing to the above email address. *Rules of Conduct and Standards of Responsibility for Appointed Representatives—20 CFR 404.1740(b)(5), 404.1740(b)(6), 404.1740(b)(9), 416.1540(b)(5), 416.1540(b)(6), and 416.1540(b)(9)—0960-0804.*
                     Section 205(a) of the Social Security Act (the Act) authorizes SSA's Commissioner to make rules and regulations and to establish procedures, not inconsistent with the provisions of this title, which are necessary or appropriate to carry out such provisions. Section 1631(d)(1) of the Act incorporates section 205(a) and applies it to Title XVI of the Act. Additionally, sections 206(a) and 1631(d)(2) of the Act provide that the Commissioner has the authority to establish rules and regulations governing the recognition of individuals who represent claimants before the Commissioner. Individuals appointed to represent claimants before SSA must report to SSA in writing whenever one of the following situations in our revised regulations occurs: *20 CFR 404.1740(b)(5) and 416.1540(b)(5)*
                    —This regulatory section requires representatives to disclose to SSA in writing, at the time a medical or vocational opinion is submitted to SSA, or as soon as the representative is aware of the submission to us, if the representative's employee or any individual contracting with the representative drafted, prepared, or issued a medical or vocational opinion about a claimant's disability, or if the representative referred or suggested that the claimant seek an examination from, treatment by, or the assistance of the individual providing opinion evidence;
*20 CFR 404.1740(b)(6) and 416.1540(b)(6)*
                    —This regulatory section requires representatives to disclose to SSA immediately if the representative discovers that his or her services are or were used by the claimant to commit fraud against SSA; A representative's obligation to report these events is ongoing, and SSA requires representatives to report any time one or more of these events occurs. We consider this information essential to ensure the integrity of our administrative process and to safeguard the rights of all claimants. SSA requires representatives to notify SSA in writing, but there is no prescribed format for these reports. The respondents are individuals appointed to represent claimants before SSA. *Type of Request:*
                     Revision of an OMB-approved information collection. Regulation citations
Number of
                             respondents
Frequency of response
Average 
                             burden per  
                             response 
                             (minutes)
Estimated 
                             annual burden 
                             (hours)
Average 
                             theoretical hourly cost amount 
                             (dollars) *
Total annual opportunity cost (dollars) **404.1740(b)(5)&(6)/416.1540(b)(5)&(6)
43,600
1
5
3,633
$58.40
$212,149* We based this figure on average hourly wages for paralegals/legal assistants and lawyers 
                        *https://www.bls.gov/​oes/​current/​oes231011.htm*
                         as posted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (
                        *https://www.bls.gov/​oes/​current/​oes_​nat.htm*).** These figures do not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on representatives to complete the required disclosures; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time representatives or their employees and associates will spend to complete the required disclosures. There is no actual charge to representatives to complete the required disclosures.
 Dated: November 22, 2024. Naomi Sipple, Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.


[FR Doc. 2024-27811 Filed 11-26-24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191-02-P