Notice2021-11421
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
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Published
June 1, 2021
Issuing agencies
Social Security Administration
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 103 (Tuesday, June 1, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29348-29351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11421]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No. SSA-2021-0013]
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, 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
Comments: <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Submit your
comments online referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-2021-0013].
(SSA) Social Security Administration, OLCA, Attn: Reports Clearance
Director, 3100 West High Rise, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD
21235, Fax: 410-966-2830, Email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#84cbd6aad6e1f4ebf6f0f7aac7e8e1e5f6e5eae7e1c4f7f7e5aae3ebf2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d726f136f584d524f494e137e51585c4f5c535e587d4e4e5c135a524b">[email protected]</span></a>.
Or you may submit your comments online through <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>, referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-
2021-0013].
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
August 2, 2021. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection
instruments by writing to the above email address.
1. Request for Workers' Compensation/Public Disability Benefit
Information--20 CFR 404.408(e)--0960-0098. Individuals who received
both Social Security disability payments and Worker's Compensation/
Public Disability Benefits (WC/PDB) must notify SSA about their WC/PDB,
so that the agency can reduce the claimants' Social Security disability
payments accordingly. Recipients may submit evidence of their WC/PDB,
such as a copy of their award notice or benefit check, or have their
WC/PDB provider complete Form SSA-1709 to document their WC/PDB to SSA.
The respondents are Federal, State, and local agencies, insurance
carriers, and public or private self-insured companies administering
WC/PDB benefits to disability recipients.
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 per response annual burden hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
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SSA-1709.......................................... 120,000 1 15 30,000 * $26.65 ** $799,500
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* We based this figure by averaging both the average Federal, State, and Local Government hourly wages (<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics3_999000.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics3_999000.htm</a>), and the average Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes439041.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes439041.htm</a>).
** 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. Coverage of Employees of State and Local Governments--20 CFR
part 404, subpart M--0960-0425. The regulations at 20 CFR part 404,
subpart M prescribe the rules for States to submit reports of deposits
and recordkeeping to SSA. SSA requires States (and interstate
instrumentalities) to provide wage and deposit contribution information
for pre-1987 tax years. Since not all States have completely satisfied
their pending wage report and contribution liability with SSA for pre-
1987 tax years, SSA needs these regulations until all pending items
with the States are completed, and to allow for collection of this
information in the future, if necessary. The respondents are State and
local governments or interstate instrumentalities.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average burden theoretical Total annual
Regulation section Number of Frequency of per response Total annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
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404. 1204 (a) & (b)..................................... 52 1 30 26 * $28.74 ** $747
404.1215................................................ 52 1 60 52 * 28.74 ** 1,494
404. 1216 (a) & (b)..................................... 52 1 60 52 * 28.74 ** 1,494
[[Page 29349]]
Totals.............................................. 156 .............. .............. 130 .............. ** 3,735
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* We based this figure by averaging both the average State Government hourly wages (<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_999200.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_999200.htm</a>), and the average
Local Government hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_999300.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_999300.htm</a>).
** 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. Representative Payment--20 CFR 404.2011, 404.2025, 416.611, and
416.625--0960-0679. The regulations at 20 CFR 404.2011 and 416.611
allow SSA to make payments to recipients' representative payees if it
may cause substantial harm for the beneficiaries to receive their
payments directly. The regulations allow beneficiaries to dispute a
finding that substantial harm exists by providing SSA with evidence to
reevaluate the determination. In addition, sections 20 CFR 404.2025 and
416.625 describe the information representative payees must provide SSA
about their continuing relationship and responsibility for the
recipients, and explain how they use the recipients' payments to verify
payee performance. The respondents are Title II and Title XVI
recipients, and their representative payees.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Total annual
Regulation section Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
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404.2011(a)(1); 416.611(a)(1)........................... 260 1 15 65 * $19.01 ** $1,236
404.2025; 416.625....................................... 3,090 1 6 309 * 19.01 ** 5,874
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Totals.............................................. 3,350 .............. .............. 374 .............. ** 7,110
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* We based this figure on averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2021 data (<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2021FactSheet.pdf">https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2021FactSheet.pdf</a>), and the average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm</a>).
** 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. Function Report--Adult--20 CFR 404.1512 & 416.912--0960-0681.
Individuals receiving or applying for Social Security disability
insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) must provide
medical evidence and other proof SSA requires to prove their
disability. SSA staff, and, on SSA's behalf, State Disability
Determination Services' (DDS) employees, collect the information via
paper Form SSA-3373, or through an in-person or telephone interview for
cases where we need information about a claimant's activities and
abilities to evaluate the claimant's disability. We use the information
to document how claimants' disabilities affect their ability to
function, and to determine eligibility, or continued eligibility, for
SSI and SSDI claims. The respondents are adult Title II and Title XVI
claimants, or current recipients undergoing redeterminations of
benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average wait time
Average in field office
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated total theoretical or for Total annual
Modality of completion respondents response per response annual burden hourly cost teleservice opportunity cost
(minutes) (hours) amount centers (minutes) (dollars) ***
(dollars) * **
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SSA-3373..................... 1,734,635 1 61 1,763,546 * $10.95 ** 21 *** $25,958,815
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* We based this figure on the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2021 data (<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2021FactSheet.pdf">https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2021FactSheet.pdf</a>).
** We based this figure on averaging both the average FY 2021 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.
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 July 1, 2021. Individuals can obtain copies of these
OMB clearance packages by writing to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#89c6dba7dbecf9e6fbfdfaa7cae5ece8fbe8e7eaecc9fafae8a7eee6ff"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b7f8e599e5d2c7d8c5c3c499f4dbd2d6c5d6d9d4d2f7c4c4d699d0d8c1">[email protected]</span></a>.
1. Certification by Religious Group--20 CFR 404.1075--0960-0093.
SSA is responsible for determining whether religious groups meet the
qualifications exempting certain members and sects from payment of
Self-Employment
[[Page 29350]]
Contribution Act taxes under the Internal Revenue Code, Section
1402(g). SSA sends Form SSA-1458, Certification by Religious Group, to
a group's authorized spokesperson to complete and verify organizational
members meet or continue to meet the criteria for exemption. The
respondents are spokespersons for religious groups or sects.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Note: This is a correction notice: SSA published the incorrect
burden information for this collection at 86 FR 12068, on 3/01/21. We
are correcting this error here.
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Average
Average burden Estimated total theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
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SSA-1458.......................................... 142 1 15 36 * $27.07 ** $975
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* We based this figure on average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000</a>).
** 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. Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Costs--20 CFR 418.3101--0960-0696. The Medicare Modernization Act of
2003 mandated the creation of the Medicare Part D prescription drug
coverage program and the provision of subsidies for eligible Medicare
beneficiaries. SSA uses Form SSA-1020 or the internet i1020, the
Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs,
to obtain income and resource information from Medicare beneficiaries,
and to make a subsidy decision. The respondents are Medicare
beneficiaries applying for the Part D low-income subsidy.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Average wait Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost time in field opportunity cost
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount office (dollars) ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
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SSA-1020 (paper applications)......... 448,836 1 30 224,418 * $27.07 0 *** $6,074,995
i1020 (online applications)........... 365,871 1 25 152,446 * 27.07 0 *** 4,126,713
Field Office Interviews............... 85,873 1 30 42,937 * 27.07 ** 24 *** 2,092,132
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Totals............................ 900,580 .............. .............. 419,801 .............. .............. *** 12,293,840
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* We based this figures on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000</a>).
** 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. 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 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:
<bullet> 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;
<bullet> 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;
<bullet> 20 CFR 404.1740(b)(7) and 416.1540(b)(7)--This regulatory
section requires representatives to disclose to SSA whether the
representative is or has been disbarred or suspended from any bar or
court to which he or she was previously admitted to practice, including
instances in which a bar or court took administrative action to disbar
or suspend the representative in lieu of disciplinary proceedings; If
the disbarment or suspension occurs after the appointment of the
representative, the representative will immediately disclose the
disbarment or suspension to SSA;
[[Page 29351]]
<bullet> 20 CFR 404.1740(b)(8) and 416.1540(b)(8)--This regulatory
section requires representatives to disclose to SSA whether the
representative is or has been disqualified from participating in or
appearing before any Federal program or agency, including instances in
which a Federal program or agency took administrative action to
disqualify the representative in lieu of disciplinary proceedings. If
the disqualification occurs after the appointment of the
representative, the representative will immediately disclose the
disqualification to SSA; and;
<bullet> 20 CFR 404.1740(b)(9) and 416.1540(b)(9)--This regulatory
section requires representatives to disclose to SSA whether the
representative has been removed from practice or suspended by a
professional licensing authority for reasons that reflect on the
representative's character, integrity, judgment, reliability, or
fitness to serve as a fiduciary. If the removal or suspension occurs
after the appointment of the representative, the representative will
immediately disclose the removal or suspension to 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: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
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Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Total annual
Regulation section Number of Frequency of per response annual burden hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
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404.1740(b)(5)/416.1540(b)(5)........................... 43,600 1 5 3,633 * $26.45 ** $96,093
404.1740(b)(6)/416.1540(b)(6)........................... 2 1 5 0 * 69.86 ** 0
404.1740(b)(7)/416.1540(b)(7)........................... 50 1 5 4 * 69.86 ** 279
404.1740(b)(8)/416.1540(b)(8)........................... 10 1 5 1 * 69.86 ** 70
404.170(b)(9)/416.1540(b)(9)............................ 10 1 5 1 * 69.86 ** 70
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Totals.............................................. 43,672 .............. .............. 3,639 .............. 96,512
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* We based this figure on average hourly wages for paralegals/legal assistants and lawyers as posted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm</a>).
** 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: May 25, 2021.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2021-11421 Filed 5-28-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P
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