Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

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August 27, 2026

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Social Security Administration

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 165 (Thursday, August 27, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 165 (Thursday, August 27, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55418-55421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17518]

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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No: SSA-2026-0958]

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 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#88c7daa6daedf8e7fafcfba6cbe4ede9fae9e6ebedc8fbfbe9a6efe7fe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="58170a760a3d28372a2c2b761b343d392a39363b3d182b2b39763f372e">[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-2026-0958] in
your submitted response.
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 September 28, 2026. Individuals can obtain copies of
this OMB clearance package by writing to the
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5c130e720e392c332e282f721f30393d2e3d323f391c2f2f3d723b332a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b7f8e599e5d2c7d8c5c3c499f4dbd2d6c5d6d9d4d2f7c4c4d699d0d8c1">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
1. Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order--20 CFR 404.967-
404.981, 416.1467-416.1481--0960-0277. Claimants who disagree with a
judge's hearing decision, or dismissal of a hearing request on Title II
and Title XVI claims have the right under current SSA regulations to
request Appeals Council (AC) review. Claimants may request Appeals
Council review by filing a written request using paper Form HA-520;
uploading the fillable static PDF of Form HA-520 through SSA's Upload
Documents portal (OMB No. 0960-0830), or submitting the internet
application, i520. In addition, they may submit additional evidence or
arguments to support their request for review at the same time. SSA
uses the information gathered on Form HA-520 to establish that the
claimant filed the request for review within the prescribed time and to
ensure the claimant completed the requisite steps permitting the AC
review. The AC uses the information to: (1) document the claimant's
reason(s) for disagreeing with the hearing decision or dismissal order;
(2) determine whether the claimant has additional evidence to submit;
(3) determine whether the claimant is requesting an extension of time,
and (4) help determine whether the claimant has a representative or
wants to appoint one, regardless of if they had a representative for
their hearing request. In situations where the respondent submits the
HA-520 or i520 without providing additional evidence or argument, or
requesting an EOT, the AC reviews the request based on the existing
file. The respondents are claimants, or their appointed

[[Page 55419]]

representative, guardian, parent of a minor claimant, or representative
payee, requesting review of a hearing decision or order of dismissal.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.

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Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Average wait Total annual
Method of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost time in field opportunity
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount office cost (dollars)
(dollars) * (minutes) ** ***
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HA-520--Paper or Upload Documents...... \+\ 9,002 1 15 2,251 * $14.27 ** 21 *** $77,087
i520--Internet......................... 72,853 1 15 18,213 * 14.27 .............. *** $259,900
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Totals............................. 81,855 .............. .............. 20,464 .............. .............. *** $336,987
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\+\ We note that this figure may include forms completed by the FO, or submissions of the fillable PDF through Upload Documents (OMB No. 0960-0830).
* We based this figure on disability payments, based on SSA's current management information data (Effect of COLA on Average Social Security Benefits).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2026 wait times for field offices (average wait time of 21 minutes), based on SSA's current management
information data. This figure reflects data from our systems and the data posted on our public facing website (Social Security performance [verbar]
SSA) on the date we drafted this document. As the figures fluctuate, the wait times may be different on the website than they appear here. We continue
to monitor our website and management information data to ensure we report updated figures when possible. While we have included wait time for all
respondents, we note that respondents are not required to complete the form in person and those who mail or drop off a completed form do not
experience any wait time.
*** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on individuals; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional
time respondents will spend to complete the information collection. There is no actual charge to respondents to complete the information collection.

2. Application for Benefits Under the Italy-U.S. International
Social Security Agreement--20 CFR 404.1925--0960-0445. As per the
November 1, 1978 totalization agreement between the United States
(U.S.) and Italian Social Security agencies, residents of Italy filing
an application for U.S. Social Security benefits directly with one of
the Italian Social Security agencies must complete Form SSA-2528-IT.
SSA uses Form SSA-2528-IT to establish age, relationship, citizenship,
marriage, death, and military service, or to evaluate a family bible or
other family record when determining eligibility for U.S. benefits. The
Italian Social Security agencies assist applicants in completing Form
SSA-2528-IT and then forward the application to SSA for processing. The
respondents are individuals living in Italy who wish to file for U.S.
Social Security benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information
collection.

3. Medicare Part D Subsidies Regulations--20 CFR 418.3625(c),
418.3645, 418.3665(a), and 418.3670--0960-0702. The Medicare
Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA)
established the Medicare Part D program for voluntary prescription drug
coverage of premium, deductible, and co-payment costs for certain low-
income individuals. The MMA also mandated the provision of subsidies
for those individuals who qualify for the program and who meet
eligibility criteria for help with premium, deductible, or co-payment
costs. This law requires SSA to make eligibility determinations, and to
provide a process for appealing SSA's determinations. Regulation
sections 418.3625(c), 418.3645, 418.3665(a), and 418.3670 contain
public reporting requirements pertaining to administrative review
hearings. Respondents are applicants for the Medicare Part D subsidies
who request an administrative review hearing.
Type of Request: Revision of an existing OMB-approved information
collection.

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Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Total annual
Method of collection Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * ***
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418.3625(c)............................................ 60 1 5 5 *$14.27 ** $71
418.3645............................................... 6 1 5 1 *14.27 ** 14
418.3665(a)............................................ 120 1 5 10 *14.27 ** 143
418.3670 \+\........................................... 1 1 1 1 *14.27 ** 14
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Total.............................................. 187 .............. .............. 17 .............. ** 242
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\+\ Regulation section 418.3670 could be used at any time; however, we currently have no data showing usage over the past three years; therefore, we are
including a 1-hour placeholder burden in case respondents submit information under this section.
* We based this figure on average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2026 data (Effect of COLA on Average Social Security Benefits).
** 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 information collection. There is no actual
charge to respondents to complete the application.

4. Certificate of Election for Reduced Widow(er)s and Surviving
Divorced Spouse's Benefits--20 CFR 404.335--0960-0759. Section 202(q)
of the Social Security Act (Act) provides SSA with the authority to
reduce benefits under

[[Page 55420]]

certain conditions when elected by a Title II beneficiary. However,
reduced benefits are not payable to an already entitled spouse (or
divorced spouse) who:
<bullet> Is at least age 62 and under full retirement age in the
month of the number holder's death; and
<bullet> Is receiving both reduced spouse's (or divorced spouse's)
benefits and either retirement or disability benefits in the month
before the month of the number holder's death.
To elect reduced widow(er) benefits, a recipient completes Form
SSA-4111. SSA uses the information collected to pay a qualified dually
entitled widow(er) (or surviving divorced spouse) who elects to receive
a reduced widow(er) benefit. The respondents are qualified dually
entitled widow(er)s (or surviving divorced spouse) who elect to receive
a reduced widow(er) benefit.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.

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Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Average wait Total annual
Method of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost time in field opportunity
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount office cost (dollars)
(dollars) * (minutes) ** **
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SSA-4111 (paper)....................... 6,266 1 13 1,358 * $33.54 ** 21 *** $119,101
SSA-4111 (Upload Documents)............ 521 1 13 113 * 33.54 .............. *** 3,790
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Totals............................. 6,787 .............. .............. 1,471 .............. .............. *** 122,891
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* We based this figure on the average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and Wage
Statistics).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2026 wait times for field offices (average wait time of 21 minutes), based on SSA's current management
information data. This figure reflects data from our systems and the data posted on our public facing website (Social Security performance [verbar]
SSA) on the date we drafted this document. As the figures fluctuate, the wait times may be different on the website than they appear here. We continue
to monitor our website and management information data to ensure we report updated figures when possible. While we have included wait time for all
respondents using the paper form, we note that respondents are not required to complete the form in person and those who mail or drop off a completed
form do not experience any wait time.
** 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 information collection. There is no actual
charge to respondents to complete the application.

5. Report of Adult Functioning-Employer--20 CFR 404.1512 and
416.912--0960-0805. When SSA's Disability Determination Service (DDS)
adjudicative team determines that SSA needs additional information to
process an applicant's or claimant's case, SSA uses Form SSA-3385,
Report of Adult Functioning--Employer, to collect information from a
claimant's current or former employer on an as needed basis,
specifically to collect information regarding the claimant's job
performance as evidence to help inform the disability eligibility for
the claimant. SSA sends the SSA-3385 with a pre-addressed and stamped
envelope to a claimant's direct supervisor, or another person who has
direct knowledge of the claimant's job performance and asks that
individual to provide information about the claimant's day-to-day
functioning in a work setting. The respondent completes Form SSA-3385
and sends it back to SSA in the enclosed envelope. Once SSA receives
the SSA-3385, the field office scans the form into the claimant's
electronic folder. Then the DDS adjudicative team uses this information
to evaluate the claimant's impairment-related functional limitations to
determine eligibility or continued eligibility for SSDI or SSI. The
respondents are current or former employers who SSA contacts only when
the adjudicative team decides the agency needs additional information
and the employer may be a good source for the information.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.

6. Generic Clearance for the Collection of Improving Customer
Experience (OMB Circular A-11, Section 280 Implementation)--0960-0818.
As part of the Administration's commitment to improving customer
service delivery, the following Information Collection Request
``Improving Customer Experience (OMB Circular A-11, Section 280
Implementation)'' is pending at the Social Security Administration. The
Social Security Administration will submit it to OMB for approval under
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The Social
Security Administration will submit it to OMB for approval under the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) within 60 days
from the date of this notice.
A modern, streamlined and responsive customer experience means:
raising government-wide customer experience to the average of the
private sector service industry; developing indicators for high-impact
Federal programs to monitor progress towards excellent customer
experience and mature digital services; and providing the structure
(including increasing transparency) and resources to ensure customer
experience is a focal point for agency leadership.
This information collection activity provides a means to garner
customer and stakeholder feedback in an efficient, timely manner in
accordance with the Administration's commitment to improving customer
service delivery as discussed in Section 280 of OMB Circular A-11 at
<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/s280.pdf">https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/s280.pdf</a>. As
discussed in the OMB guidance, agencies should identify their highest-
impact customer journeys (using customer volume, annual program cost,
and/or knowledge of customer priority as weighting factors) and select

[[Page 55421]]

touchpoints/transactions within those journeys to collect feedback.
The agency will use these results to improve the delivery of
Federal services and programs. It will also provide government-wide
data on customer experience that can be displayed on
<a href="http://www.performance.gov">www.performance.gov</a> to help build transparency and accountability of
Federal programs to the customers they serve. As a general matter,
these information collections will not result in any new system of
records containing privacy information and will not ask questions of a
sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious
beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private.
The Social Security Administration will only submit collections if
they meet the following criteria.
<bullet> The collections are voluntary;
<bullet> The collections are low-burden for respondents (based on
considerations of total burden hours or burden-hours per respondent)
and are low-cost for both the respondents and the Federal Government;
<bullet> The collections are non-controversial and do not raise
issues of concern to other Federal agencies;
<bullet> Any collection is targeted to the solicitation of opinions
from respondents who have experience with the program or may have
experience with the program in the near future;
<bullet> Personally identifiable information (PII) is collected
only to the extent necessary and is not retained;
<bullet> Information gathered is intended to be used for general
service improvement and program management purposes; and
<bullet> Upon agreement between OMB and the agency all or a subset
of information may be released as part of A-11, Section 280
requirements only on <a href="http://performance.gov">performance.gov</a>. Summaries of customer research
and user testing activities may be included in public-facing customer
journey maps.
<bullet> Additional release of data must be done coordinated with
OMB.
These collections allow for ongoing, collaborative and actionable
communications between the Agency, its customers and stakeholders, and
OMB as it monitors agency compliance on Section 280. These responses
inform efforts to improve or maintain the quality of service offered to
the public. If this information is not collected, vital feedback from
customers and stakeholders on services will be unavailable.
The respondents are Individuals and Households, Businesses and
Organizations, State, Local or Tribal Government.
This is a correction notice: SSA published outdated burden
information for this collection at 91 FR 38753, on 6/26/26. We are
correcting this error here by updating the data.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.

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Number of
Type of information collection Number of responses per Minutes per Total burden
respondents respondent response hours
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Screeners (e.g., distributed before or during a 0 0 0 0
usability testing session or other kind of
session)......................................
Surveys to obtain feedback immediately 5,955,560 1 5 496,297
following a transaction--Limited to 15
questions and 5 minutes max...................
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Total...................................... 5,955,560 ............... .............. 496,297
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Mark Steffensen,
General Counsel, Chief of Law, Policy and Legislative Affairs, Social
Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2026-17518 Filed 8-26-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P

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