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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 12, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9488-9491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02549]

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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No: SSA-2025-0003]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed 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 a revisions and extensions of OMB-approved information 
collections.
    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: [email protected]

    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-2025-0003] 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 
April 14, 2025. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection 
instruments by writing to the above email address.
    1. Statement of Claimant or Other Person--20 CFR 404.702 & 
416.570--0960-0045. SSA uses Form SSA-795 in special situations where 
there is no authorized form or questionnaire, yet we require a signed 
statement from the applicant, claimant, or other individuals who have 
knowledge of facts, in connection with claims for Social Security 
benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The information we 
request on the SSA-795 is of sufficient importance that we need both a 
signed statement and a penalty clause. SSA uses this information to 
process, in addition to claims for benefits, issues about continuing 
eligibility; ongoing benefit amounts; use of funds by a representative 
payee; fraud investigation; and a myriad of other program-related 
matters. The most common respondents are applicants for Social 
Security, SSI, or recipients of these programs. However, respondents 
also include friends and relatives of the involved parties, coworkers, 
neighbors, or anyone else in a position to provide information 
pertinent to the issue(s).
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                                           Average wait
                                                                                     Average     Estimated     Average     time in field   Total annual
                                                          Number of    Frequency    burden per     total     theoretical     office or      opportunity
                 Modality of completion                  respondents  of response    response      annual    hourly cost  telephone wait  cost (dollars)
                                                                                    (minutes)      burden       amount    time (minutes)        ***
                                                                                                  (hours)    (dollars) *        **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-795 Paper..........................................      154,318            1           15       38,580     * $22.39           ** 23  *** $2,188,287
SSA-795 (SSI CCE Interviews)...........................       22,516            1           15        5,629      * 22.39           ** 19     *** 285,674
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 9489]]

 
    Totals.............................................      176,834  ...........  ...........       44,208  ...........  ..............   *** 2,473,961
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* We based this figure on an average of the average DI payments based on SSA's current data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.pdf) and the
  average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm).
** We based these figures on the average FY 2025 wait times for field offices (23 minutes) and teleservice centers (19 minutes), 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. Request for Reconsideration--Disability Cessation--20 CFR 
404.909, 404.1597(b), 416.995, & 416.1409--0960-0349. When SSA 
determines that claimants' disabilities medically improved, ceased; or 
are no longer sufficiently disabling, these claimants may ask SSA to 
reconsider that determination. SSA uses Form SSA-789 to arrange for a 
hearing or prepare a decision based on the evidence of record. 
Specifically, claimants or their representatives use Form SSA-789 to: 
(1) ask SSA to reconsider a determination, (2) indicate if they wish to 
appear at a disability hearing, (3) submit any additional information 
or evidence for use in the reconsidered determination, and (4) indicate 
if they will need an interpreter for the hearing. The respondents are 
disability claimants for Social Security benefits or Supplemental 
Security Income (SSI) payments who wish to appeal an unfavorable 
disability cessation determination.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                             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
                                                   respondents    response      response       burden        amount          office       cost (dollars)
                                                                                (minutes)      (hours)     (dollars) *    (minutes) **         ***
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SSA-789.........................................       72,796             1            10        12,133      * $13.30            ** 23     *** $532,505
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* We based this figure on an average of the average DI payments based on SSA's current data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.pdf).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2025 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.

    3. Travel Expense Reimbursement--20 CFR 404.999(d) and 416.1499--
0960-0434. The Social Security Act (Act) provides for travel expense 
reimbursement from Federal and State agencies for claimant travel 
incidental to medical examinations, and to parties, their 
representatives, and all reasonably necessary witnesses for travel 
exceeding 75 miles to attend medical examinations, reconsideration 
interviews and proceedings before an administrative law judge. 
Reimbursement procedures require the claimant to provide: (1) a list of 
expenses incurred; and (2) receipts of such expenses. Federal and state 
personnel review the listings and receipts to verify the reimbursable 
amount to the requestor. The respondents are claimants for Title II 
benefits and Title XVI payments, their representatives, and witnesses.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                             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
                                                   respondents    response      response       burden        amount          office       cost (dollars)
                                                                                (minutes)      (hours)     (dollars) *    (minutes) **         ***
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404.999(d) & 416.1499...........................       60,000             1            10        10,000      * $22.39            ** 23     *** $738,870
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* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.pdf), and
  the average U.S. worker's hourly wages, 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 2025 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.

    4. Permanent Residence in the United States Under Color of Law 
(PRUCOL)--20 CFR 416.1615 and 416.1618--0960-0451. Under 20 CFR 
416.1415 and 416.1618 of the Code of Federal Regulations (Code), SSA 
requires claimants or recipients to submit evidence of their alien 
status when they apply for SSI payments, and periodically thereafter as 
part of the eligibility determination process for SSI. When SSA cannot 
verify evidence of

[[Page 9490]]

alien status through the regular claimant interview process, SSA 
verifies the validity of the evidence of PRUCOL for grandfathered 
nonqualified aliens with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 
using the DHS Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) 
program. SSA determines if the individual qualifies for PRUCOL status 
based on the SAVE program response. SSA does not maintain any forms or 
applications for respondents to use, rather, the regulations listed in 
20 CFR 416.1615 and 416.1618 specify the information respondents need 
to submit to SSA to show evidence of PRUCOL. Without this information, 
SSA is unable to determine whether the PRUCOL individual is eligible 
for SSI payments. Respondents are qualified and unqualified aliens who 
apply for SSI payments under PRUCOL.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                             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
                                                    responses     response      response       burden        amount          office       cost (dollars)
                                                                                (minutes)      (hours)     (dollars) *    (minutes) **         ***
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Personal Interview..............................        1,049             1             5            87      * $31.48            ** 23      *** $15,394
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* We based this figure on average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2025 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.

    5. Internet Request for Replacement of Forms SSA-1099/SSA-1042S--20 
CFR 401.45--0960-0583. Title II beneficiaries use Forms SSA-1099 and 
SSA-1042S, Social Security Benefit Statement, to determine if their 
Social Security benefits are taxable, and the amount they need to 
report to the Internal Revenue Service. In cases where the original 
forms are unavailable (e.g., lost, stolen, mutilated), an individual 
may use SSA's automated telephone application to request a replacement 
SSA-1099 and SSA-1042. SSA uses the information from the automated 
telephone requests to verify the identity of the requestor and to 
provide replacement copies of the forms. SSA accepts information in 
other ways including via our mySocial Security portal (for which we 
collect no data after the authentication we collect under OMB No. 0960-
0789), in person, and through the National 800 Number Network (N8NN). 
However, the automated telephone option reduces requests to the N8NN 
and visits to local Social Security field offices (FO). The respondents 
are Title II beneficiaries who wish to request a replacement SSA-1099 
or SSA-1042S via telephone.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                 Estimated     Average     Average wait
                                                                                     Average       total     theoretical     time for      Total annual
                 Modality of completion                   Number of    Frequency    burden per     annual    hourly cost    teleservice     opportunity
                                                         respondents  of response    response      burden       amount        centers     cost (dollars)
                                                                                    (minutes)     (hours)    (dollars) *   (minutes) **         ***
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Automated Telephone Requests...........................      316,000            1            6       31,600     * $31.48           ** 19  *** $4,144,877
N8NN...................................................      497,778            1            3       24,889      * 31.48           ** 19   *** 5,745,698
Calls to local field offices...........................      848,444            1            3       42,422      * 31.48           ** 19   *** 9,793,302
Other (program service centers)........................       41,640            1            3        2,082      * 31.48           ** 21     *** 524,331
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals.............................................    1,419,462  ...........  ...........      100,993  ...........  ..............  *** 20,208,208
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* We based this figure on average U.S. worker's hourly wages, 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 2025 wait times for SSA Teleservice centers (19 minutes) and field offices (23 minutes), 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.

    6. Protecting the Public and Our Personnel to Ensure Operational 
Effectiveness (RIN 0960-AH35), Regulation 3729I--20 CFR 422.905 and 
422.906--0960-0796. SSA published regulations for the process we follow 
when we restrict individuals from receiving in-person services in our 
field offices and provide them, instead, with alternative services. We 
published these rules to create a safer environment for our personnel 
and members of the public who use our facilities, while ensuring we 
continue to serve the American people with as little disruption to our 
operations as possible. Under our regulations at 20 CFR 422.905 of the 
Code, an individual for whom we restrict access to our facilities has 
the opportunity to appeal our decision within 60 days of the date of 
the restrictive access and alternative service notice. To appeal, 
restricted individuals must submit a written request via mail stating 
why they believe SSA should rescind the restriction and allow them to 
conduct business with us on a face-to-face basis in one of our offices. 
There is no printed form for this request; rather, restricted 
individuals create their own written statement of appeal, and submit it 
to a sole decision-maker in the regional office of the region where the 
restriction originated. The individuals may also provide additional 
documentation to support their appeal. Under 20 CFR 422.906 of the 
Code, if the individual does not appeal the decision within the 60 
days, if we restricted the individual prior to the effective date of 
this regulation, or if the appeal results in a denial, the individual 
has another opportunity to request review of the restriction after a 
three-year period. To submit this request for review, restricted 
individuals may re-submit a written appeal of the decision. The same 
criteria

[[Page 9491]]

apply as for the original appeal: (1) it must be in writing; (2) it 
must be sent to a sole decision-maker in the regional office of the 
region where the restriction originated for review; and (3) it may 
accompany supporting documentation. We make this periodic review 
available to all restricted individuals once every three years. 
Respondents for this collection are individuals appealing their 
restrictions from in-person services at SSA field offices.
    Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                      Estimated       Average
                                                          Average       total       theoretical    Total annual
     Regulation section        Number of    Frequency    burden per     annual      hourly cost     opportunity
                              respondents  of response    response      burden        amount      cost (dollars)
                                                         (minutes)     (hours)      (dollars) *         **
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 CFR 422.905..............           75            1           15           19        * $22.39         ** $425
20 CFR 422.906..............           75            1           20           25         * 22.39          ** 560
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..................          150  ...........  ...........           44  ..............          ** 885
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* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.pdf), and the average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau
  of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on claimants 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.

    7. Social Security Administration Health IT Partner Program 
Assessment--Participating Facilities and Available Content Form--20 CFR 
404.1614 and 416.1014--0960-0798. The Health Information Technology for 
Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act promotes the adoption and 
meaningful use of health information technology (IT), particularly in 
the context of working with government agencies. Similarly, Section 
3004 of the Public Health Service Act requires health care providers or 
health insurance issuers with government contracts to implement, 
acquire, or upgrade their health IT systems and products to meet 
adopted standards and implementation specifications. To support 
expansion of SSA's health IT initiative as defined under HITECH, SSA 
developed Form SSA-680, the Health IT Partner Program Assessment--
participating Facilities and Available Content Form. The SSA-680 allows 
healthcare providers to provide the information that SSA needs to 
determine their ability to exchange health information with us 
electronically. We evaluate potential partners (i.e., healthcare 
providers and organizations) on: (1) the accessibility of health 
information they possess; and (2) the content value of their electronic 
health records' systems for our disability adjudication processes. SSA 
reviews the completeness of organizations' SSA-680 responses as one 
part of our careful analysis of their readiness to enter a health IT 
partnership with us. The respondents are healthcare providers and 
organizations exchanging information with the agency.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

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                                                                                                                            Average
                                                                                               Average      Estimated     theoretical      Total annual
                    Modality of completion                        Number of   Frequency of   burden per   total annual    hourly cost      opportunity
                                                                 respondents    response      response       burden          amount       cost (dollars)
                                                                                              (minutes)      (hours)      (dollars) *           **
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SSA-680.......................................................           10             1           800           133         * $49.07        ** $6,526
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* We based these figures on average Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes290000.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.

    Dated: February 2, 2025.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2025-02549 Filed 2-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P
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