41886 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 150 /Wednesday, August 5, 1998 / Notices

or technical area of assistance that

supports small business growth.

The SBA district office and the SBDC

must agree upon the specific mix of

services. They should give particular

attention to SBA’s priority and special

emphasis groups, including veterans,

women, exporters, the disabled, and

minorities.

SBDC Program Requirements

An SBDC must meet programmatic

and financial requirements imposed by

statute, regulations or its Cooperative

Agreement. The SBDC must:

(a) locate subcenters so that they are

as accessible as possible to small

businesses;

(b) open all subcenters at least 40

hours per week, or during the normal

business hours of its state or academic

Host Organization, throughout the year;

(c) develop working relationships

with financial institutions, the

investment community, professional

associations, private consultants and

small business groups; and

(d) maintain lists of private

consultants at each subcenter.

Dated: July 10, 1998

Johnnie L. Albertson,

Associate Administrator for Small Business

Development Centers.

[FR Doc. 98–20780 Filed 8–4–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8025–01–P

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Statement of Organization, Functions

and Delegations of Authority

Notice is given that a new chapter,

TAG for the Office of the Deputy

Commissioner, Policy (ODCP) is being

issued. This statement also amends

parts S and T of the Statement of the

Organization, Functions and

Delegations of Authority which covers

the Social Security Administration

(SSA). Chapter TA covers the Office of

the Deputy Commissioner, Programs

and Policy (ODCPP). Notice is given that

this office is being retitled as the Office

of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability

and Income Security Programs

(ODCDISP). Subchapter TAR, the Office

of Policy and Planning will be abolished

and the functions split between ODCP

and ODCDISP. Subchapter TAN, the

Office of Research, Evaluation and

Statistics will also be abolished within

ODCPP and be reestablished as a new

office with the newly created Office of

the Deputy Commissioner, Policy.

Subchapter TAJ, the Office of

International Policy is being retitled as

the Office of International Programs.

Subchapter TAP, the Office of Program

Benefits Policy is being retitled as the

Office of Program Benefits. Notice is

further given that Chapter S, the Social

Security Administration opening

chapter will be amended to reflect these

organizational changes.

The changes are as follow:

Section S.10 The Social Security

Administration—(Organization):

Retitle:

I. ‘‘The Office of the Deputy

Commissioner, Programs and Policy’’ to

‘‘The Office of the Deputy

Commissioner, Disability and Income

Security Programs’’.

Add:

K. The Office of the Actuary (TC).

L. The Office of Communications

(TE).

M. The Office of Policy (TG).

Add new Chapter.

Chapter TG

Office of the Deputy Commissioner,

Policy

TG.00 Mission

TG.10 Organization

TG.20 Functions

Section TG.00 The Office of the

Deputy Commissioner, Policy—

(Mission):

The Deputy Commissioner, Policy is

the principal advisor to the

Commissioner of Social Security on

major policy issues and is responsible

for major activities in the areas of

strategic policy planning, policy

research and evaluation, statistical

programs, and overall policy

development and analysis. The Office of

the Deputy Commissioner, Policy

(ODCP) serves as the Agency lead

spokesperson in presenting policy

proposals and analysis within and

outside the Executive Branch. The

Office directs the formulation of overall

policy for SSA and ensures the

consistency of policy development and

implementation activities across all

programs administered by SSA. The

Office broadly formulates, promulgates,

and interprets programs, objectives, and

policy. The Office directs research,

evaluation and analysis, and

development of demonstrations and

studies supporting the policy

development of SSA. Provides

recommendations on modification of

social insurance and income assistance

programs administered by SSA.

Conducts the statistical programs of the

Agency. The Office is involved in

developing legislative and regulatory

specifications and analyses of legislative

and budgetary impacts. The Office

works with the Department of Treasury

on issues of policy relating to the

Federal Insurance Contributions Act

and the Self-Employment Contributions

Act, including such matters as

definition of wages and implementation

of law. It directs formulation of Agency

policy regarding related government

programs that affect SSA programs and/

or operations and negotiates related

agreements with other agencies. It

evaluates the effectiveness of national

policies in meeting both short and longterm program goals.

Section TG.10 The Office of the

Deputy Commission, Policy—

(Organization):

The Office of the Deputy

Commissioner, Policy, under the

leadership of the Deputy Commissioner,

Policy, includes:

A. The Deputy Commissioner, Policy

(TG).

B. The Assistant Deputy

Commissioner, Policy (TG).

C. The Immediate Office of the

Deputy Commissioner, Policy (TGA).

D. The Office of Research, Evaluation

and Statistics (TGB).

E. The Office of Disability and Income

Assistance Policy (TGC).

F. The Office of Retirement Policy

(TGE).

Section TG.20 The Office of the

Deputy Commissioner, Policy—

(Functions):

A. The Deputy Commissioner, Policy

(TG) is directly responsible to the

Commissioner for carrying out the

ODCP mission and for providing general

supervision to the major components of

ODCP.

B. The Assistant Deputy

Commissioner, Policy (TG) assists the

Deputy Commissioner in carrying out

his/her responsibilities and performs

other duties as the Deputy

Commissioner may prescribe.

C. The Immediate Office of the

Deputy Commissioner, Policy (TGA)

provides the Deputy Commissioner with

staff assistance on the full range of his/

her responsibilities.

D. The Office of Research, Evaluation

and Statistics (TGB) develops and

conducts SSA’s research and statistical

programs. Topics of research include

evaluation of such things as income

security, the effects of Social Security

and income assistance programs on the

economy, financing, and adequacy of

cash benefits. This Office plans and

directs studies to evaluate the effects of

proposed policy changes on individuals,

the economy, SSA programs and the

interactions among these programs,

other tax and income-transfer programs,

and economic, social and demographic

forces. Short and long-term research on

the disabled population, work

incentives, assessment tools, and impact

of current and emerging medical

technologies on SSA disability
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 150 /Wednesday, August 5, 1998 / Notices 41887

financing and income assistance

programs are conducted by the Agency

under the oversight of this Office. This

Office is also responsible for designing,

implementing and assessing the results

of models that test proposed changes in

policy. Establishes linkages of SSA data

with data from other statistical and

record systems and develops and

operates models to analyze the impact

of present programs and program

alternatives. Conducts broad analyses of

major social and economic trends and

their impact on Social Security and

income assistance program policy.

E. The Office of Disability and Income

Assistance Policy (TGC) provides broad

policy analysis and development in

disability and Supplemental Security

Income (SSI) programs.This Office is

responsible for the development of

disability and income assistance policy

for the Agency. This Office conducts

broad analyses of eligibility and return

to work proposals. It formulates Agency

policy regarding cross-cutting programs

or issues related to disability and/or

income assistance programs and works

with other agencies, including the

Department of Health and Human

Services (HHS), toward this end.

F. The Office of Retirement Policy

(TGE) provides policy analysis and

policy development in retirement and

survivors insurance programs. This

Office is responsible for the

development of social insurance,

financing and economic policy for the

Agency. Conducts broad analyses of

major social and economic trends and

their impact on social insurance

policies.

Add new Subchapter.

Subchapter TGB

Office of Research, Evaluation and

Statistics

TGB.00 Mission

TGB.10 Organization

TGB.20 Functions

Section TGB.00 The Office of

Research, Evaluation and Statistics—

(Mission):

The Office of Research, Evaluation

and Statistics develops and conducts

SSA’s research and statistical programs.

Topics of research include evaluation of

such things as income security, the

effects of Social Security and income

assistance programs on the economy,

financing, and adequacy of cash

benefits. This Office plans and directs

studies to evaluate he effects of

proposed policy changes on individuals,

the economy, SSA programs and the

interactions among these programs,

other tax and income-transfer programs,

and economic, social and demographic

forces. Short and long-term research on

the disabled population, work

incentives, assessment tools, and impact

of current and emerging medical

technologies on SSA disability

financing and income assistance

programs are conducted by the Agency

under the oversight of this Office. This

Office is also responsible for designing,

implementing and assessing the results

of models that test proposed changes in

policy. Establishes linkages of SSA data

with data from other statistical and

record systems and develops and

operates models to analyze the impact

of present programs and program

alternatives. Conducts broad analyses of

major social and economic trends and

their impact on Social Security and

income assistance program policy.

Section TGB.0 The Office of

Research, Evaluation and Statistics.—

(Organization):

The Office of Research, Evaluation

and Statistics under the leadership of

the Associate Commissioner for

Research, Evaluation and Statistics,

includes:

A. The Associate Commissioner for

Research, Evaluation and Statistics

(TGB).

B. The Deputy Associate

Commissioner for Research, Evaluation

and Statistics (TGB)/

C. The Immediate Office of the

Associate Commissioner for Research,

Evaluation and Statistics (TGBA).

D. The Publications Staff (TGBB).

E. The Division of Program Analysis

(TGBC).

F. The Division of Economic Research

(TGBE).

G. The Division of Earnings Statistics

and Analysis (TGBG).

H. The Division of Retirement,

Survivors, Disability Insurance Research

Statistics (TGBH).

I. The Division of SSI Analysis/

Management Statistical Support (TGBJ).

J. The Disability Research Staff

(TGBK).

Section TGB.20 The Office of

Research, Evaluation and Statistics—

(Functions):

A. The Associate Commissioner for

Research, Evaluation and Statistics

(TGB) is directly responsible to the

Deputy Commissioner, Policy for

Carrying out ORES’ mission, and

providing general supervision to the

major components of ORES.

B. The Deputy Associate

Commissioner for Research, Evaluation

and Statistics (TGB) assists the

Associate Commissioner in carrying out

his/her responsibilities and performs

other duties the Associate

Commissioner may prescribe.

C. The Immediate Office of the

Associate Commissioner for Research,

Evaluation and Statistics (TGBA)

provides the Associate Commissioner

and Deputy Associate Commissioner

with staff assistance on the full range of

their responsibilities and helps

coordinate the activities of ORES

components.

D. The Publications Staff (TGBB).

1. Advises ORES on the development,

organization and presentation of

research and statistical studies.

2. Publishes and distributes these

studies to national and international

audiences.

3. Assesses informational needs of

SSA staff, staff in other Government

agencies, the social science research

community and the public for data and

findings from the ORES research

program.

E. The Division of Program Analysis

(TGBC).

1. Plans, designs and conducts

surveys of program target groups and

performs policy-relevant research.

2. Analyzes the impact of proposed

policy options, legislative proposals and

special high-priority issues and prepares

briefing materials for SSA

administrators.

3. Plans, conducts and publishes the

results of cross-national research on

social security programs worldwide.

F. The Division of Economic Research

(TGBE).

1. Plans, directs and executes issueoriented research to provide information

about relationships between the Social

Security program, the economy and

other aspects of society.

2. Interprets changing demographic

and economic trends as they relate to

the broad field of economic security and

to overall economic and social policy.

3. Studies such major areas as: Social

Security financing, economic impacts of

Social Security, income maintenance,

effect of Social Security on lifetime

income redistribution, alternative

measures of income adequacy, and labor

market and retirement behavior.

G. The Division of Earnings Statistics

and Analysis (TGBG).

1. Plans, coordinates and directs the

preparation of statistical and analytical

data pertaining to earnings, employment

and employer classification. Analyzes

these data with emphasis on

demographic, economic, social and

program characteristics. These data are

used to support program and legislative

planning and serve as important sources

for program evaluation, research and

administrative information within SSA,

and for research by other Federal and

State and local government agencies,

universities, and private research

organizations.
41888 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 150 /Wednesday, August 5, 1998 / Notices

2. Provides ORES and other SSA

researchers with support in the

development of social science survey

data linked with SSA administrative

record data.

H. The Division of Retirement,

Survivors and Disability Insurance

Research Statistics (TGBH).

1. Plans, coordinates and directs the

preparation of statistical and analytical

data pertaining to RSDI claims and

benefits provisions of Title II of the

Social Security Act. Analyzes these data

with emphasis on demographic,

economic, social and program

characteristics. These data are used to

support program and legislative

planning and serve as important sources

for program evaluation, research and

administrative information within SSA,

and for research by other Federal and

State and local government agencies,

universities and private research

organizations.

I. The Division of SSI Analysis/

Management Statistical Support (TGBJ).

1. Plans, coordinates and directs the

preparation of statistical and analytical

data pertaining to the Supplemental

Security Income provisions of Title XVI

of the Social Security Act. Analyzes

these data with emphasis on

demographic, economic, social and

program characteristics. These data are

used to support program and legislative

planning and serve as important sources

for program evaluation, research and

administrative information within SSA

and for research by other Federal and

State and local government agencies,

universities and private research

organizations.

2. Provides management statistical

services to SSA operating and policy

components, including such activities

as the development of general purpose

and customized field office samples,

development of work sampling systems

and quality assurance systems, and the

design and analysis of operational pilot

studies. Provides support for the

development and use of mathematical

models and statistical methods.

J. The Disability Research Staff

(TGBK).

1. Plans, directs and implements a

wide range of studies and analyses,

utilizing data from surveys and

administrative records, on the national

disabled population, disability

applicants and disability beneficiaries.

2. Develops research in response to DI

program issues.

3. Maintains and develops research

surveys and administrative data files

used in the analysis of disability data.

Retitle:

Chapter TA, ‘‘The Office of the

Deputy Commissioner, Programs and

Policy’’ to ‘‘The Office of the Deputy

Commissioner, Disability and Income

Security Programs’’. Change all

references to ‘‘The Office of the Deputy

Commissioner, Programs and Policy’’ to

‘‘The Office of the Deputy

Commissioner, Disability and Income

Security Programs’’ and all references to

‘‘ODCPP’’ to ‘‘ODCDISP’’ throughout

Chapter TA and all its Subchapters.

Section TA.00 The Office of the

Deputy Commissioner, Disability and

Income Security Programs—(Mission):

Amend to read as follows:

The Deputy Commissioner, Disability

and Income Security Programs is the

principal advisor to the Commissioner

of Social Security on program policy

issues and is involved in strategic

planning, policy development, and

analysis of SSA program policy. The

Office of the Deputy Commissioner,

Disability and Income Security

Programs (ODCDISP) directs the

formulation of program policy for SSA.

It directs and manages the planning,

development, issuance, and evaluation

of operational policies, standards, and

instructions for the Retirement and

Survivors Insurance (RSI), Disability

Insurance (DI), Supplemental Security

Income (SSI) programs, and other SSA

programs. The Office assists in

achievement of consistency in program

policy across programs administered by

SSA. The Office is involved in analyses

of legislative and regulatory

specifications and budgetary impacts of

legislation on programs administered by

SSA. The Office produces data on the

programs of the Agency. It is involved

in the development of demonstrations

and studies that provide

recommendations on program

improvements. The Office is responsible

for the Agency’s Regulatory Program.

Oversees Agency hearings and appeals

activities. Provides budget and

management guidance for the disability

claims activities as carried out by the

State Disability Determination Services

(DDSs). Oversees the collection, use and

dissemination of both personal and nonpersonal information to ensure

consistency with Agency objectives, law

and the expectations of the American

public. Develops and implements

policies and procedures and coordinates

activities relating to the operation of

Social Security programs outside of the

United States. Coordinates

programmatic response to court actions

and requirements in civil actions

involving all Social Security

administered programs.

Section TA.10 The Office of the

Deputy Commissioner, Disability and

Income Security Programs—

(Organization):

Abolish and delete subchapters for

same components:

D. The Office of Policy and Planning

(TAR).

H. The Office of Research, Evaluation

and Statistics (TAN).

Retitle:

G. ‘‘The Office of International

Policy’’ (TAJ) to ‘‘The Office of

International Programs’’ (TAJ).

I. ‘‘The Office of Program Benefits

Policy’’ (TAP) to ‘‘The Office of Program

Benefits’’ (TAP).

Amend to read as follows:

The Office of the Deputy

Commissioner, Disability and Income

Security Programs under the leadership

of the Deputy Commissioner, Disability

and Income Security Programs includes:

A. The Deputy Commissioner,

Disability and Income Security

Programs (TA).

B. The Assistant Deputy

Commissioner, Disability and Income

Security Programs (TA).

C. The Immediate Office of the

Deputy Commissioner, Disability and

Income Security Programs (TAA).

D. The Office of Disability (TAE).

E. The Office of Hearings and Appeals

(TAH).

F. The Office of International

Programs (TAJ).

G. The Office of Program Benefits

(TAP).

H. The Office of Program Support

(TAS).

Section TA.20 The Office of the

Deputy Commissioner, Disability and

Income Security Programs—(Functions):

Abolish in their entirety and delete

subchapters for same components:

D. The Office of Policy and Planning

(TAR).

H. The Office of Research, Evaluation

and Statistics (TAN).

Retitle:

G. ‘‘The Office of International

Policy’’ (TAJ) to ‘‘The Office of

International Programs’’ (TAJ).

I. ‘‘The Office of Program Benefits

Policy’’ (TAP) to ‘‘The Office of Program

Benefits’’ (TAP).

Amend to read as follows:

A. The Deputy Commissioner,

Disability and Income Security

Programs (TA) is directly responsible to

the Commissioner for carrying out the

ODCDISP mission and for providing

general supervision to the major

components of ODCDISP.

B. The Assistant Deputy

Commissioner, Disability and Income

Security Programs (TA) assists the

Deputy Commissioner in carrying out

his/her responsibilities and performs

other duties as the Deputy

Commissioner may prescribe.

C. The Immediate Office of the

Deputy Commissioner, Disability and
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 150 /Wednesday, August 5, 1998 / Notices 41889

Income Security Programs (TAA)

provides the Deputy Commissioner with

staff assistance on the full range of his/

her responsibilities.

D. The Office of Disability (TAE)

plans, develops, evaluates, and issues

operational and administrative appeals

process regulations, rulings, policies,

standards, and instructions for use by

State, Federal, and private contractor

providers which implement the

disability provisions of the Social

Security Act. Provides operational

policy advice, technical support,

management information, and

management direction to central office

and field components in the

administration of the disability

programs. Evaluates the effects of

proposed legislation and legislation

pending before the Congress to

determine the operational impact on the

disability programs. Provides national

budgeting and oversight of disability

claims processing as carried out by the

State DDSs. Processes State agency

workloads on a temporary or

transitional basis.

E. The Office of Hearings and Appeals

(TAH) administrators the nationwide

hearings and appeals program for SSA.

Holds hearings and issues decisions as

part of the SSA appeals process. Directs

a nationwide field organization that

conducts impartial hearings and makes

decisions on appealed determinations

involving Retirement, Survivors,

Disability, Health Insurance, Black Lung

and Supplemental Security Income

benefits.

F. The Office of International

Programs (TAJ) serves as SSA’s focal

point for international program policy

matters and for its participation in the

international Social Security

community. Serves as liaison to

international agencies and associations

that deal with Social Security matters.

Negotiates international Social Security

(totalization) agreements with foreign

governments and develops policies and

procedures to implement the

agreements. Develops and implements

policies and procedures relating to the

operation of the Social Security program

outside the United States. Provides

training programs and technical

consultation on Social Security and

related fields to Social Security officials

and other experts outside the United

States.

G. The Office of Program Benefits

(TAP) provides SSA-wide leadership

and direction to the development,

coordination and promulgation of

procedures, operational policies,

standards and instructions for the

Retirement, Survivors and

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

programs administered by the Agency.

Develops and issues guidelines for use

by State and Federal organizations

which implement the SSI provisions.

Develops agreements with State

supplementation programs, Medicaid

eligibility, data exchange programs, food

stamps and fiscal reporting processes.

Coordinates programmatic response to

court actions and requirements in civil

actions involving all Social Security

administered programs. Directs the

coordination and publication of

acquiescence rulings and instructions

related to acquiescence rulings.

H. The Office of Program Support

(TAS) provides leadership in overseeing

the Agency’s system of programmatic

instructions, notices to the public and

technical documents. Develops and

maintains standards governing the

translating of policy decisions into

operational policies, procedures and

notices. Responsible for the Agency’s

Regulatory Program, including

development of SSA’s Regulatory Plan

and the Agency’s portion of the Unified

Agenda of Federal Regulations.

Oversees the Agency’s implementation

of policies that utilize technologies in

providing service to the public and

provides program management of such

technological applications. Develops

and interprets SSA program policy

governing requests for disclosure of

information from Agency records under

the provisions of the Privacy Act and

the Freedom of Information Act.

Designs, implements and maintains

automated information and

communications systems ODISP-wide.

Retitle:

Subchapter TAJ, ‘‘The Office of

International Policy’’ to ‘‘The Office of

International Programs’’. Change all

references to ‘‘The Office of

International Policy’’ to ‘‘The Office of

International Programs’’ throughout

Chapter TA and all its sub chapters.

Retitle:

Subchapter TAP, ‘‘The Office of

Program Benefits Policy’’ to ‘‘The Office

of Program Benefits’’. Change all

references to ‘‘The Office of Program

Benefits Policy’’ to ‘‘The Office of

Program Benefits’’ and all references to

‘‘OPBP’’ to ‘‘OPB’’ throughout Chapter

TA and all its subchapters.

Dated: July 17, 1998.

Kenneth S. Apfel,

Commissioner of Social Security

[FR Doc. 98–20866 Filed 8–4–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4190–29–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Aviation Proceedings, Agreements

Filed During the Week Ending July 24,

1998

The following Agreements were filed

with the Department of Transportation

under the provisions of 49 U.S.C.

Sections 412 and 414. Answers may be

filed within 21 days of date of filing.

Docket Number: OST–98–4168.

Date Filed: July 23, 1998.

Parties: Members of the International

Air Transport Association.

Subject: PTC12 USA–EUR 0054 dated

June 29, 1998 r1–25, Mail Vote 947

(USA-Austria/Belgium/Germany),

Intended effective date: November 1,

1998.

Dorothy W. Walker,

Federal Register Liaison.

[FR Doc. 98–20806 Filed 8–4–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–62–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Notice of Applications for Certificates

of Public Convenience and Necessity

and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed

Under Subpart Q During the Week

Ending July 24, 1998

The following Applications for

Certificates of Public Convenience and

Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier

Permits were filed under Subpart Q of

the Department of Transportation’s

Procedural Regulations (See 14 CFR

302.1701 et seq.). The due date for

Answers, Conforming Applications, or

Motions to Modify Scope are set forth

below for each application. Following

the Answer period DOT may process the

application by expedited procedures.

Such procedures may consist of the

adoption of a show-cause order, a

tentative order, or in appropriate cases

a final order without further

proceedings.

Docket Number: OST–98–4127.

Date Filed: July 20, 1998.

Due Date for Answers, Conforming

Applications, or Motions to Modify

Scope: August 17, 1998.

Description: Application of Sabena

S.A., Sabena Belgian World Airlines

pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Section 41302 and

Subpart Q, applies for a foreign air

carrier permit to authorize it to provide

scheduled foreign air transportation of

persons, property, and mail from points

behind Belgium via Belgium and

intermediate points to a point or points

in the United States and beyond.

Docket Number: OST–98–4148.

Date Filed: July 22, 1998.