Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request

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March 11, 2025

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Social Security Administration

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 46 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11771-11775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03847]

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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No: SSA-2025-0005]

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 extensions 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,
(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ffb0add1ad9a8f908d8b8cd1bc939a9e8d9e919c9abf8c8c9ed1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="78372a562a1d08170a0c0b563b141d190a19161b1d380b0b19561f170e">[email&#160;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> 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-2025-0005] in
your submitted response.
I. The information collection below is pending at SSA. SSA will
submit it to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. To be
sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than May
12, 2025. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instrument by
writing to the above email address.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)--Quality Review Case Analysis--
0960-0133. To assess the SSI program and ensure the accuracy of its
payments, SSA conducts legally mandated periodic SSI case analysis
quality reviews. SSA uses Form SSA-8508-BK to conduct these reviews,
collecting information on operating efficiency; the quality of
underlying policies; and the effect of incorrect payments. SSA also
uses the data to determine SSI program payment accuracy rates, which
are a

[[Page 11772]]

performance measure of the agency's service delivery goals. SSA selects
a stratified random sample of recipients each month who received
payments during the sample period to conduct these reviews. The SSA
reviewer then reviews the selected case files prior to preparing an
initial letter contacting the respondent to set up an interview. The
initial letter informs the respondent of the review, and includes a
checklist with any requested documentation for the phone-based
interview. During the interview, the SSA reviewer redevelops and
verifies all non-medical factors of eligibility and payment amount,
asks the sampled individuals questions related to the status of
eligibility factors during the review period, then requests the
respondent mail in any necessary documentation (listed on the initial
letter). During the interview, the SSA reviewer documents responses on
the electronic SSA-8508-BK (or e8508), a standalone Excel application
that resides in the reviewer's government-issued personal computer. If
the system is not accessible for some reason, the reviewer uses the
paper SSA-8508-BK instead. The respondents are recipients of SSI
payments selected for the quality reviews.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information
collection.

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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) * **
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SSA-8508-BK (paper interview)........................... 215 1 60 215 * $13.30 ** $2,860
e8508 (electronic interview)............................ 4,085 1 60 4,085 * 13.30 ** 54,331
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Total............................................... 4,300 .............. .............. 4,300 .............. ** 57,191
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* We based this figure on the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2025 data (<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.pdf">https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.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.

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 April 10, 2025. Individuals can obtain copies of
these OMB clearance packages by writing to the
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f7b8a5d9a5928798858384d9b49b92968596999492b7848496d9909881"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="632c314d3106130c1117104d200f060211020d0006231010024d040c15">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
1. Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery and Request for
Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate--20 CFR 404.502, 404.506-404.512,
416.550-416.558, 416.570-416.571--0960-0037. When Social Security
beneficiaries and SSI recipients receive an overpayment, they must
return the extra money. These beneficiaries and recipients can use Form
SSA-632-BK, Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery, to request a
waiver from repaying their overpayment. Beneficiaries and recipients
can also use Form SSA-634, Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery,
to request a change to the monthly recovery rate of their overpayment.
The respondents must provide financial information to help the agency
determine how much the overpaid person can afford to repay each month.
The respondents are individuals who are overpaid Social Security or SSI
payments who are requesting: (1) a waiver of recovery of an
overpayment, or (2) a lesser rate of withholding.
In the 60-day public comment period Federal Register Notice we
requested public comments and encouraged public feedback on the form
and on a specified list of issues. We are still considering the
feedback received from this solicitation. At present, while we do so,
we are seeking reclearance of the current, unedited version of the
form. If we pursue changes to the form, we will commence another public
comment period.
Type of Request: Renewal of an OMB-approved information collection.

2. Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge--20 CFR 404.929,
404.933, 416.1429, 404.1433, 418.1350, and 42 CFR 405.722--0960-0269.
When SSA denies applicants', claimants', or beneficiaries' requests for
new or continuing disability benefits or payments, the Act entitles
those applicants, claimants, or beneficiaries to request a hearing to
appeal the decision. To request a hearing, individuals complete Form
HA-501; the associated Modernized Claims System (MCS) or SSI Claims
System interview; or the internet application (i501). SSA uses the
information to determine if the individual: (1) filed the request
within the prescribed time; (2) is the proper

[[Page 11773]]

party; and (3) took the steps necessary to obtain the right to a
hearing. SSA also uses the information to determine: (1) the
individual's reason(s) for disagreeing with SSA's prior determinations
in the case; (2) if the individual has additional evidence to submit;
(3) if the individual wants an oral hearing or a decision on the
record; and (4) whether the individual has (or wants to appoint) a
representative. The respondents are Social Security or SSI disability
applicants and recipients who want to appeal SSA's denial of their
request for new or continued benefits for disability and non-medical
hearing requests; and Medicare Part B recipients who must pay the
Medicare Part B Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.
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 a opportunity cost
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount field office (dollars) ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
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HA-501; MCS; SSI Claims System...... 162,904 1 10 27,151 * $31.48 ** 23 *** $2,820,545
i501 (Internet iAppeals)............ 281,819 1 15 70,455 * 31.48 .............. *** 2,217,923
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Total........................... 444,723 .............. .............. 97,606 .............. .............. *** 5,038,468
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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">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm</a>).
** 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. Coverage of Employees of State and Local Governments--20 CFR
404--0960-0425. The Code of Federal Regulations at 20 CFR 404, Subpart
M, prescribes the rules for States submitting reports of deposits and
recordkeeping to SSA. SSA requires States (and interstate
instrumentalities) to provide wage and deposit contribution information
for pre-1987 periods. 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 all
states are closed out, and to provide 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 * $32.39 ** $842
404.1215................................................ 52 1 60 52 * 32.39 ** 1,684
404.1216(a) & (b)....................................... 52 1 60 52 * 32.39 ** 1,684
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Total............................................... 156 .............. .............. 130 .............. ** 4,210
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* Per current management information data, we are using ``52'' as a placeholder burden for the number of respondents (1 per state) temporarily,
averaging one response per each state on an annual basis. We expect a continued reduction in the need for these regulatory requirements as the
respondents clear up any issues related to the wages they previously reported. We are receiving very few of these collections and expect to receive
none, or almost none, of these collections within the next three years.
We do not currently have a system in place to collect more accurate information. However, if a system is created in the future to help track collection
of this information, we will update the burden figures accordingly.
** 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.

4. Surveys in Accordance with E.O. 12862 for the Social Security
Administration--0960-0526. Under the auspices of Executive Order 12862,
Setting Customer Service Standards, SSA conducts multiple customer
satisfaction surveys each year. These voluntary customer satisfaction
assessments include paper, internet, and telephone surveys; mailed
questionnaires; and customer comment cards. The purpose of these
questionnaires is to assess customer satisfaction with the timeliness,
appropriateness, access, and overall quality of existing SSA services
and proposed modifications or new versions of services. The respondents
are recipients of SSA services (including most members of the public),
professionals, and individuals who work on behalf of SSA beneficiaries.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.

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Burden (burden
Number of for all
respondents Frequency of Range of response activities within
(burden for all response times (minutes) that year;
activities within reported in
that year) hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year 1.............................. 1,290,304 1 3-90 615,549

[[Page 11774]]

Year 2.............................. 1,290.304 1 3-90 615,549
Year 3.............................. 1,290.304 1 3-90 615,549
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Total........................... 3,870,912 ................. ................. 1,846,647
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Social Security Benefits Application--20 CFR 404.310-404.311,
404.315-404.322, 404.330-404.333, 404.601-404.603, and 404.1501-
404.1512--0960-0618. Title II of the Social Security Act provides
retirement, survivors, and disability benefits to individuals who meet
the eligibility criteria and file the appropriate application. This
collection comprises the various application methods for each type of
benefits. SSA uses the information we gather through the multiple
information collection tools in this information collection request to
determine applicants' eligibility for specific Social Security
benefits, as well as the amount of the benefits.
Individuals filing for disability benefits can, and in some
instances SSA may require them to, file applications under both title
II, Social Security disability benefits, and title XVI, SSI payments.
We refer to disability applications filed under both titles as
``concurrent applications.'' This collection comprises the various
application methods for each type of benefits. These methods include
the following modalities: Paper forms (Forms SSA-1, SSA-2, and SSA-16);
Modernized Claims System (MCS) screens for in-person interview
applications; and internet-based iClaim application. SSA uses the
information we collect through these modalities to determine: (1) the
applicants' eligibility for the above-mentioned Social Security
benefits, and (2) the amount of the benefits. The respondents are
applicants for retirement, survivors, and disability benefits under
Title II of the Social Security Act, or their representative payees.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
Correction Notice: The first Federal Register Notice which we
published on January 15, 2025, at 90 FR 3986, shows incorrect burden
information for this information collection. We have corrected for this
in the charts below.

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Average wait
Average Estimated Average time in field
Number of Frequency burden per annual theoretical office or for Total annual
Modality of completion respondents of response response burden cost amount teleservice opportunity cost
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * centers (dollars) ***
(minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper version (SSA-1) \+\.......................... 17,604 1 11 3,227 * $31.48 .............. *** $101,586
Interview/Phone MCS................................ 1,679,321 1 10 279,887 * 31.48 ** 19 *** 25,551,435
Interview/Office MCS............................... 51,648 1 10 8,608 * 31.48 ** 23 *** 894,221
Internet First Party............................... 1,835,958 1 15 458,990 * 31.48 .............. *** 14,449,005
Third party initiated (complete and submit)........ 81,810 1 15 20,453 * 31.48 .............. *** 643,860
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................................... 3,666,341 ........... ........... 771,165 ........... .............. *** 41,640,107
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper version (SSA-2) \+\.......................... 6,723 1 15 1,681 * 31.48 .............. *** 52,918
Interview/Phone MCS................................ 358,225 1 14 83,586 * 31.48 ** 19 *** 6,202,316
Interview/Office MCS............................... 8,227 1 14 1,920 * 31.48 ** 23 *** 159,730
Internet First Party............................... 119,129 1 15 29,782 * 31.48 .............. *** 937,537
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Total.......................................... 492,304 ........... ........... 116,969 ........... .............. *** 7,352,501
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SSA-16
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Paper version (SSA-16) \+\......................... 46,032 1 20 15,344 * 31.48 .............. *** 483,029
Interview/Phone MCS................................ 723,281 1 19 229,039 * 31.48 ** 19 *** 14,420,295
Interview/Office MCS............................... 10,843 1 19 3,434 * 31.48 ** 23 *** 238,933
Internet First Party............................... 667,806 1 15 166,952 * 31.48 .............. *** 5,255,649
Internet Third party............................... 561,014 1 15 140,254 * 31.48 .............. *** 4,415,196
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Total.......................................... 2,008,976 ........... ........... 555,023 ........... .............. *** 24,813,102
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Grand Total
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Total.......................................... 6,167,621 ........... ........... 1,443,157 ........... .............. *** 73,805,710
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\+\ We only use the paper forms in situations when we are not able to conduct a personal interview, or when the respondent is unable to use the internet
Claim (iClaim) system.
* We based this figure on the average hourly wage for all occupations as reported 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>).
** 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.

[[Page 11775]]

6. Request for Reconsideration--20 CFR 404.907-404.921, 416.1407-
416.1421, 408.1009, and 418.1325--0960-0622. The Social Security Act
states those individuals who are dissatisfied with the results of an
initial determination regarding their Title II disability; Title XVI
disability (SSI); Title VIII (Special Veterans benefits); or Title
XVIII (Medicare benefits), can request a reconsideration hearing.
Individuals use Form SSA-561-U2; the associated MCS or SSI Claims
System interview; or the internet application (i561) to initiate a
request for reconsideration of a denied claim. SSA uses the information
to document the request and to determine an individual's eligibility or
entitlement to Social Security benefits (Title II); SSI payments (Title
XVI); Special Veterans Benefits (Title VIII); Medicare (Title XVIII);
and for initial determinations regarding Medicare Part B income-related
premium subsidy reductions. The respondents are applicants, claimants,
beneficiaries, or recipients filing for reconsideration of an initial
determination.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.

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Estimated Average
Average total theoretical Average wait Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency burden per annual hourly cost time in field opportunity cost
respondents of response response burden amount office (dollars) ***
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * (minutes) **
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SSA-561, MCS, SSI Claims System.................... 339,217 1 8 45,229 * $31.48 ** 23 *** $5,517,248
i561 (Internet iAppeals)........................... 447,139 1 15 111,785 * 31.48 .............. *** 3,518,992
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................................... 786,356 ........... ........... 157,014 ........... .............. *** 9,036,240
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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">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm</a>).
** 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.

Tasha Harley,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2025-03847 Filed 3-10-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P

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