Notice2022-11685
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 1, 2022
Issuing agencies
Social Security Administration
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33282-33288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11685]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA-2022-0024]
Agency Information Collection Activities: 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 a new collection and revisions 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-2022-0024].
(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#115e433f4374617e6365623f527d747063707f7274516262703f767e67"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f6b9a4d8a4938699848285d8b59a93978497989593b6858597d8919980">[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-2022-0024].
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 within 30 days from the date
of this publication. To be sure we consider your comments, we must
receive them no later than July 1, 2022. Individuals can obtain copies
of these OMB clearance packages by writing to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#95dac7bbc7f0e5fae7e1e6bbd6f9f0f4e7f4fbf6f0d5e6e6f4bbf2fae3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="df908df18dbaafb0adabacf19cb3babeadbeb1bcba9facacbef1b8b0a9">[email protected]</span></a>.
1. Disability Perception Survey (DPS)--0960-NEW.
Background
The Social Security Administration's (SSA's) Social Security
Disability Insurance (SSDI) program provides crucial financial support
to individuals unable to work due to a medical condition. Having access
to and understanding information about SSDI among working adults is an
important factor in connecting people with benefits. The purpose of the
survey is to understand the type of information working adults
currently have about the SSDI program to improve projections of
disability applications and incidence.
SSA is requesting clearance to administer the Disability Perception
Survey (DPS) to a sample of working age adult SSDI program recipients,
and those who may qualify for this benefit, to capture attitudes and
perceptions about SSDI among working-age adults in the general
population, and to determine what roles those factors ultimately play
in an individual's decision to apply to the program.
The DPS evaluation will consist of two parts: (1) The DPS
administered to working-age adults (18 to 64 years of age) SSDI program
recipients, and those who may qualify for SSDI benefits; and (2) links
of the survey data, including the individuals' social security numbers,
to individuals' administrative records for research purpose. SSA will
use the data the DPS collects to learn about the average American SSDI
adult recipient's knowledge and understanding of the SSDI program and
about who qualifies for these benefits. Section 1110(a) of the Social
Security Act (Act) gives the Commissioner of Social Security
authorization to help
[[Page 33283]]
fund research or demonstration projects relating to the prevention and
reduction of dependency. SSA contracted with NORC at the University of
Chicago to conduct the DPS data collection.
DPS Project Description
The DPS will focus on a series of multiple-choice, open-ended, and
vignette-style questions across five topic areas:
<bullet> General knowledge about the SSDI program, including
perspectives on the causes of disability, eligibility requirements, the
likelihood of receiving benefits, and the documentation required to
apply for the program;
<bullet> Perceptions about the impact of work-limiting impairments
including how and to what degree people with disabilities participate
in the workforce, their work outcomes, use of services, barriers to
work, and knowledge about SSA programs designed to help beneficiaries
find and keep jobs;
<bullet> Thoughts about SSDI based on personal experience or
associations with SSDI beneficiaries and others, the likelihood of
receiving benefits due to changes in one's personal health status, the
impact of reduced financial resources, and factors considered when
deciding whether to apply for SSDI;
<bullet> Opinions and reactions to how impairments described in
brief vignettes of work-limiting and disabling experiences may affect
current or future employment; and
<bullet> The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment or
participation in SSDI or other safety net programs.
The DPS is targeting 5,011 completed interviews among 18-64 year
old adults across the U.S. population.
Recruitment
NORC will sample respondents for the study through NORC's
AmeriSpeak sampling frame. AmeriSpeak uses a multi-stage probability
sample that fully represents the U.S. household population. NORC uses a
two-stage process for AmeriSpeak panel recruitment:
<bullet> Initial recruitment: NORC will invite panelists to
participate in the DPS by email and or SMS text, with an invitation
through the AmeriSpeak member web portal, which alerts panelist there
is a survey available to them. The participant will receive an email
with the survey URL which allows them to log into AmeriSpeak. NORC will
also invite panelists who previously indicated their preference for
responding to surveys by telephone. For those who request a telephone
survey, NORC's telephone interviewers will call the respondent and ask
them to participate in the survey, if the respondent wants to
participate NORC will conduct the survey.
<bullet> Non-response follow-ups: NORC will sample a portion of
non-responders and follow-up with a face-to face recruitment of the
sampled non-responders. Non-response follow-up reduces non-response
bias significantly by improving the representativeness of the
AmeriSpeak Panel with respect to certain hard-to-reach segments of the
population underrepresented by recruitment relying only on mail and
telephone.
Eligibility criteria include those ages 18-64 years old who
understand English or Spanish, and who have the ability to provide
informed consent as well as a Social Security Number.
Participants in the DPS will receive the Informed Consent as part
of the first screens of the survey. If NORC conducts the survey by
telephone, the interviewer will review the main points on the consent
with the participant. The Informed Consent, whether online or read by
the interviewer, will include:
<bullet> The purpose of the survey and the primary topics addressed
in the survey questions;
<bullet> The information that the respondents may withdraw at any
time;
<bullet> The voluntary nature of the study;
<bullet> A statement that the information collected is completely
confidential and will not be used by SSA for the purposes of
determining eligibility for benefits, nor for purposes other than
research or program evaluation;
<bullet> The approximate time it will take to complete the survey;
<bullet> The incentive amount for participation, and how the
respondent will receive their incentive;
<bullet> Information on who to call if they have questions about
their rights as a survey participants;
If the respondents give their informed consent, but cannot provide
their SSN, the survey will end, and the respondent will not continue
further. Survey participants will receive $20 as reimbursement for
completing the DPS.
Following the emailing of the survey URL, NORC will follow up 10
times over the course of a 32-week field period to remind respondents
to complete the survey. NORC will send the participants reminder
scripts both by email and text messages to complete the survey. NORC
will also send reminders by mail, via a reminder letter and postcard.
The respondents are working adults (age 18-64) SSDI program recipients,
and those who may qualify for SSDI benefits for SSDI benefits.
Type of Request: Request for a new information collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPS (Web version)....................................... 4,259 1 17 1,207 * $11.70 ** $14,122
DPS (Phone version)..................................... 752 1 17 213 * 11.70 ** 2,492
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................................. 5,011 .............. .............. 1,420 .............. 16,614
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2022 data (<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2022factsheet.pdf">https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2022factsheet.pdf</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 Widow's or Widower's Insurance Benefits--20 CFR
404.335-404.338, & 404.603--0960-0004. Section 2029(e) and 202(f) of
the Act set forth the requirements for entitlement to widow(er)'s
benefits, including the requirements to file an application. For SSA to
make a formal determination for entitlement to widow(er)'s benefits, we
use Form SSA-10 to determine whether an applicant meets the statutory
and regulatory conditions for entitlement to widow(er)'s Title II
benefits. SSA employees interview individuals applying for benefits
either face-to-face or via telephone, and enter the information on the
paper form or into
[[Page 33284]]
the Modernized Claims System (MCS). The respondents are applicants for
widow(er)'s benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average Estimated Average time in field Total annual
Number of Frequency of burden per total annual theoretical office or for opportunity
Modality of completion respondents response response burden hourly cost teleservice cost
(minutes) (hours) amount centers (dollars) ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-10 (Paper).......................... 2,116 1 30 1,058 * 28.01 .............. *** 29,635
SSA-10 (MCS)............................ 570,540 1 30 285,270 * 28.01 ** 21 *** 13,583,702
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................. 572,656 .............. .............. 286,328 .............. .............. *** 13,613,337
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on 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>).
** We based this figure by averaging the average FY 2022 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.
3. Request to be Selected as a Payee--20 CFR 404.2010-404.2055,
416.601-416.665--0960-0014. SSA requires an individual applying to be a
representative payee for a Social Security beneficiary or Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) recipient to complete Form SSA-11-BK, or supply
the same information to a field office technician. SSA obtains
information from applicant payees regarding their relationship to the
beneficiary, personal qualifications; concern for the beneficiary's
well-being; and intended use of benefits if appointed as payee. The
respondents are individuals, private sector businesses and
institutions, and State and local government institutions and agencies
applying to become representative payees.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information
collection.
Individuals/Households (90%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in field Total annual
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated theoretical office or opportunity
Modality of collection respondents response per response annual burden hourly cost teleservice cost (dollars)
(minutes) (hours) amount centers ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative Payee System (RPS)....... 1,761,300 1 12 352,260 * 39 ** 21 *** 37,779,885
Paper Version........................... 70,452 1 12 14,090 * 39 .............. *** 549,510
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... 1,831,752 .............. .............. 366,350 .............. .............. *** 38,329,395
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Private Sector (9%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in field Total annual
Number of Frequency of Average burden Total annual theoretical office or opportunity
Modality of collection respondents response per response burden (hours) hourly cost teleservice cost (dollars)
(minutes) amount centers ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative Payee System (RPS)....... 176,130 1 12 35,226 * 39 ** 21 *** 3,778,008
Paper Version........................... 7,045 1 12 1,409 * 39 .............. *** 54,951
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... 183,175 .............. .............. 36,635 .............. .............. *** 3,832,959
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State/Local/Tribal Government (1%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in field Total annual
Number of Frequency of Average burden Total annual theoretical office or opportunity
Modality of collection respondents response per response burden (hours) hourly cost teleservice cost (dollars)
(minutes) amount centers ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative Payee System (RPS)....... 19,570 1 12 3,914 * 39 ** 21 *** 419,796
[[Page 33285]]
Paper Version........................... 350 1 12 70 * 39 .............. *** 2,730
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... 19,920 1 12 3,984 * 39 .............. *** 422,526
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Total..................... 2,034,847 .............. .............. 406,969 .............. .............. *** 42,584,880
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based these figures by averaging the average hourly wages for Social and Human Service Assistants (<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211093.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211093.htm</a>);
average hourly wages for Lawyers (<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm</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>).
** We based this figure by averaging the average FY 2022 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.
4. Statement for Determining Continuing Eligibility for
Supplemental Security Income Payment--20 CFR 416.204--0960-0145. SSA
uses Form SSA-8202-BK to conduct low and middle-error profile (LEP/MEP)
telephone, or face-to-face redetermination interviews with SSI
recipients and representative payees, if applicable. SSA conducts LEP
redeterminations interviews on a 6-year cycle, and MEP redeterminations
annually. SSA requires the information we collect during the interview
to determine whether: (1) SSI recipients met, and continue to meet, all
statutory and regulatory requirements for SSI eligibility; and (2) the
SSI recipients received, and are still receiving, the correct payment
amounts. This information includes non-medical eligibility factors such
as income, resources, and living arrangements. To complete Form SSA-
8202-BK, the respondents may need to obtain information from employers
or financial institutions. The respondents are SSI recipients and their
representatives, if applicable.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in field Total annual
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated theoretical office or opportunity
Modality of completion respondents response per response total annual hourly cost teleservice cost (dollars)
(minutes) burden (hours) amount centers ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-8202-BK............................. 67,698 1 21 23,694 * 11.70 .............. *** 277,220
SSI Claims System....................... 1,764,207 1 20 588,069 * 11.70 ** 21 *** 14,104,830
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................. 1,831,905 .............. .............. 611,763 .............. .............. ***14,382,050
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2022 data (<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2022factsheet.pdf">https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2022factsheet.pdf</a>).
** We based this figure by averaging the average FY 2022 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.
5. Application for Supplemental Security Income--20 CFR 416.305-
416.335, Subpart C--0960-0444. SSA uses Form SSA-8001-BK to determine
an applicant's eligibility for SSI and SSI payment amounts. SSA
employees also collect this information during interviews with members
of the public who wish to file for SSI. SSA uses the information for
two purposes: (1) To formally deny SSI for nonmedical reasons when
information the applicant provides results in ineligibility; or (2) to
establish a disability claim, but defer the complete development of
non-medical issues until SSA approves the disability. The respondents
are applicants for SSI payments.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average Estimated Average time in field Total annual
Number of Frequency of burden per total annual theoretical office or opportunity
Modality of completion respondents response response burden hourly cost teleservice cost
(minutes) (hours) amount centers (dollars) ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSI Claims System....................... 800,963 1 20 266,988 * 19.86 ** 21 *** 10,869,875
iClaim and SSI Claims System............ 129,736 1 20 43,245 * 19.86 ** 21 *** 1,760,649
[[Page 33286]]
SSA-8001-BK (Paper Version)............. 31,776 1 20 10,592 * 19.86 ** 21 *** 431,240
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................. 962,475 .............. .............. 320,825 .............. .............. *** 13,061,764
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2022 data (<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2022factsheet.pdf">https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2022factsheet.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>).
** We based this figure by averaging the average FY 2022 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.
6. Employer Verification of Records for Children Under Age 7--20
CFR 404.801-404.803, 404.821-404.822-0960-0505. To ensure we credit the
correct person with the reported earnings, SSA verifies wage reports
for children under age seven with the children's employers before
posting to the earnings record. SSA uses form SSA-L3231, Request for
Employer Information for this purpose. SSA technicians mail the form to
the employer(s) and request they complete it and mail it back to the
appropriate processing center. The respondents are employers who report
earnings for children under age seven.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-L3231......................................... 4,633 1 10 772 * 28.01 ** 21,624
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on 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.
7. Wage Reports and Pension Information--20 CFR 422.122(b)--0960-
0547. Pension plan administrators annually file plan information with
the Internal Revenue Service, which then forwards the information to
SSA. SSA maintains and organizes this information by plan number, plan
participant's name, and Social Security number. Per Section 1131(a) of
the Act, pension plan participants are entitled to request this
information from SSA. The Wage Reports and Pension Information
regulation, 20 CFR 422.122(b) of the Code of Federal Regulations,
stipulates that before SSA disseminates this information, the requestor
must first submit a written request with identifying information to
SSA. The respondents are requestors of pension plan information.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Average wait
Average burden Estimated total theoretical time for Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden hourly cost teleservice opportunity
respondents Response (minutes) (hours) amount centers cost (dollars)
(dollars) * (minutes) ** ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requests for Pension Plan 580 1 30 290 * 28.01 ** 19 *** 13,277
Information.....................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on 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>).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2022 wait times for 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.
8. Centenarian and Medicare Non-Utilization Project Development
Worksheets: Face-to-Face Interview and Telephone Interview--20 CFR
416.204(b) and 422.135--0960-0780. SSA conducts interviews with
centenary Title II beneficiaries and Title XVI recipients, and Medicare
Non-Utilization Project (MNUP) beneficiaries age 90 and older to: (1)
Assess if the beneficiaries are still living; (2) prevent fraud through
identity misrepresentation; and (3) evaluate the well-being of the
recipients to determine if they need a representative payee, or a
change in representative payee. SSA field office personnel obtain the
information through one-time, in-person
[[Page 33287]]
interviews with the centenarians and MNUP beneficiaries, who are those
Title II beneficiaries ages 90-99, who show non-utilization of Medicare
benefits for an extended period and the absence of private insurance,
health maintenance organization, or nursing home, which are all
indicators that an individual may be deceased. If the centenarians and
MNUP beneficiaries have representatives or caregivers, SSA personnel
invite them to the interviews. During these interviews, SSA employees
make overall observations of the centenarians, MNUP beneficiaries, and
their representative payees (if applicable). The interviewer uses the
appropriate Development Worksheet as a guide for the interview, in
addition to documenting findings during the interview. SSA conducts the
interviews either over the telephone or through a face-to-face
discussion with the respondents either in a field office, or at the
Centenarian or MNUP beneficiary's residence. Respondents are MNUP and
Centenarian beneficiaries, and their representative payees, or their
caregivers.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average Estimated Average time in field Total annual
Number of Frequency of burden per total annual theoretical office or opportunity
Modality of completion respondents response response burden hourly cost teleservice cost
(minutes) (hours) amount centers (dollars) ****
(dollars) ** (minutes) ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centenarian Project--Title XVI Only *... 194 1 15 49 ** 28.01 *** 21 **** 3,277
MNUP--All Title II Responses............ 4,210 1 15 1,053 ** 28.01 *** 21 **** 70,781
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................. 4,404 .............. .............. 1,102 .............. .............. **** 74,058
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Some cases are T2 rollovers from prior Centenarian workloads.
** We based this figure on 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>
*** We based this figure by averaging the average FY 2022 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.
9. COVID-19 Symptoms Screener for In-Person Hearings, and VIPr
Mobile Application and Telephone Screener for Office visits--20 CFR
404.929, 404.933, 416.1429, 416.1433, 418.1350, 422.103-422.110, and
422.203--0960-0824.
Background
During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, SSA conducted its services
almost exclusively online or by telephone, to protect the health of
both the public and our employees. We took these measures in accordance
with relevant Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 pandemic guidance,
and to comply with existing Occupational Safety and Health Act
provisions regarding workplace safety.
We have resumed in-person hearings, as well as in-person field
office visits. We use the current CDC-suggested COVID-19 screening
symptoms questionnaire for people coming in for in-person vists. The
questionnaire for in-office visits is available via telephone, SSA
mobile application (VIPr App), or kiosk. We require satisfactory
answers to the screening questions, i.e., demonstrating that field
office visitors did not demonstrate symptoms of COVID-19 and had not
been exposed to someone with COVID-19, for the appointment to proceed.
If the individuals answered yes to any of the COVID screening
questions, we offer them the option of completing their interview via
video teleconferencing or using our online options, or we offer to
reschedule their in-person interview for a later date.
Information Collection Description
Because of COVID-19 health and safety considerations, we plan to
continue requiring all members of the public entering an SSA field
office for a visit, or a hearing office to participate in an in-person
hearing, to complete a brief screener questionnaire designed to
identify COVID-19 symptoms.
For individuals visiting a hearings office, we provide a link to
the screener questionnaire in the mailed notice of scheduled hearings.
People participating in a hearing can complete and submit the
questionnaire online within 24 hours before the start of the hearing.
If hearings participants do not wish to use the internet, they can call
the hearings office where the hearing is scheduled and complete the
questionnaire over the phone.
Similarly, we will give field office visitors the option of
completing the screener questionnaire either via telephone or through
SSA's mobile application, VIPr, prior to entering the building. As part
of our pre-screening questions prior to scheduling an appointment, we
will remind potential visitors of our telephone and internet options,
will explain our mask requirement policy, and will administer a brief
screener questionnaire designed to identify COVID-19 symptoms. For
those members of the public who do not schedule an appointment, we have
a poster in our field office windows visible from the outside
instructing visitors about the need to complete the screening
questionnaire and about our masking policies.
Regardless of whether an individual schedules an appointment or
visits a field office without prior scheduling, we will continue to
request satisfactory completion of the screener in advance of entering
the building as a prerequisite for entering the field office.
SSA's screener questionnaire asks questions relating to personal
experience of any COVID symptoms; exposure to someone diagnosed with
COVID; or travel by means other than land travel, such as car, bus,
ferry, or train. SSA uses the screener responses to determine if the
participant is ``cleared'' or ``not cleared'' to enter an SSA field or
hearing office. If participants answer ``no'' to all questions, they
are ``cleared'' to participate. If they answer ``yes'' to any part of
the screener, they will be considered ``not cleared.'' Individuals who
are not cleared may request SSA to reschedule their visit at least 14
days after the COVID-19 symptoms first presented, or 14 days after they
tested positive for COVID-19.
[[Page 33288]]
Alternatives to Completing the Information Collection
Although we will continue to require completion of the screener
questionnaire for any in-person hearing or field office visit, we do
not require this screener questionnaire for other modalities of appeals
hearings, or field office services. One may choose an online video
hearing or telephone hearing as an alternative to an in-person hearing,
just as we also have online and telephone services for field office
transactions. Claimants may obtain Social Security payments regardless
of the hearing method they choose, and field office visitors may submit
their documentation using our internet services, telephone requests, or
by mailing their documentation to SSA.
The respondents are beneficiaries or applicants requesting an in-
person hearing, or members of the public entering a field office.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average Estimated Average time in office Total annual
Number of Frequency of burden per total annual theoretical or for opportunity
Modality of completion respondents response response burden hourly cost teleservice cost
(minutes) (hours) amount centers (dollars) ****
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COVID Screener Questionnaire............ 359,160 1 10 59,860 * 19.86 ** 10 **** 2,377,639
VIPr Mobile App......................... 16,554 1 5 1,380 * 28.01 *** 21 **** 200,944
Telephone Screener...................... 661,554 1 10 110,259 * 28.01 *** 21 **** 9,573,902
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................. 1,037,268 .............. .............. 171,499 .............. .............. ****
12,152,485
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based the Covid Screener Questionnaire figure on averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2022 data (<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2022factsheet.pdf">https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2022factsheet.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>). We based the VIPr Mobile App and Telephone Screener on 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>).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2022 wait times for hearing offices, based on SSA's current management information data.
*** We based this figure on the average FY 2022 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.
Dated: May 25, 2022.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022-11685 Filed 5-31-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 1, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.