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Notice2026-22073

Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

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Published
October 29, 2026

Issuing agencies

Social Security Administration

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 208 (Thursday, October 29, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 208 (Thursday, October 29, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68213-68218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22073]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No: SSA-2026-1189]


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#9ad5c8b4c8ffeaf5e8eee9b4d9f6fffbe8fbf4f9ffdae9e9fbb4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f100d710d3a2f302d2b2c711c333a3e2d3e313c3a1f2c2c3e71383029">[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-2026-1189] in 
your submitted response.
    SSA submitted the information collections below to OMB for 
clearance. To be sure OMB and SSA consider your comments regarding 
these information collections, we must receive them no later than 
November 30, 2026. Individuals can obtain copies of the OMB clearance 
packages by writing to the <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d425f235f687d627f797e234e61686c7f6c636e684d7e7e6c236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="93dcc1bdc1f6e3fce1e7e0bdd0fff6f2e1f2fdf0f6d3e0e0f2bdf4fce5">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
    1. Statement of Income and Resources--20 CFR 416.207, 416.302-
416.310, 416.704, 416.708, and 416.1160--0960-0124. SSA collects 
information about income and resources for Supplemental Security Income 
(SSI) claims and redeterminations on the SSA-8010-BK from third party 
individuals (e.g., parents, spouses, guardians, or other individuals 
typically in the role of representative payee) who support the SSI 
applicant or recipient. SSA uses the information from the SSA-8010-BK 
to make initial or continuing eligibility determinations for SSI 
claimants or recipients who are subject to deeming. The respondents are 
third party individuals who support SSI claimants or recipients, and 
whose income and resources SSA may deem (consider to be available as 
their own) to SSI applicants or recipients.
    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
        Method of completion            respondents      response        response         burden        hourly cost      teleservice     cost  (dollars)
                                                                         (minutes)        (hours)         amount           centers             ***
                                                                                                        (dollars) *     (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-8010-BK (Intranet)..............       1,855,340               1              20         618,447        * $33.54             ** 11       $32,151,209

[[Page 68214]]

 
SSA-8010-BK (Paper).................          61,380               1              20          20,460         * 33.54             ** 11     *** 1,063,654
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..........................       1,916,720  ..............  ..............         638,907  ..............  ................    *** 33,214,863
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on an average U.S. citizen's hourly salary ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
  Wage Statistics).
** We based this 11-minute figure on average October 2026 wait times (specifically, the arithmetic mean of a 20-minute field-office wait time and a 1-
  minute wait time for a call to be picked up automatically by our systems and then routed to an SSA technician. Both the 20-minute and 1-minute figures
  are themselves averages captured by management information data and posted on our public-facing website, Social Security performance [verbar] SSA. As
  the figures fluctuate, the actual wait times may differ slightly from the averages reported here. We will update these figures periodically to reflect
  the most accurate available data.
*** 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. Waiver of Your Right to Personal Appearance before a Judge--20 
CFR 404.930, 404.948(b)(1)(i), 404.957, 416.1430, 416.1448(b)(1)(i), 
and 416.1457--0960-0284. Applicants for Social Security, Old Age, 
Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits and SSI payments 
have the statutory right to personally appear (either on their own or 
through a representative) and present evidence about their claims at a 
hearing before a judge. Per SSA regulations, if a claimant is 
dissatisfied with a determination or decision listed in 20 CFR 404.930 
or 416.1430, the claimant may request a hearing before a judge and has 
a right to appear at a hearing before a judge. At a hearing, claimants 
have the right to present evidence; have witnesses testify on their 
behalf; and present their cases to the judge. A hearing may provide the 
judge with additional information to make a more informed decision on 
the case. However, in some cases, claimants may choose to waive their 
right to appear before a judge for various reasons, including if they 
feel the evidence of record stands on its own, or if they are unable to 
attend a hearing due to extenuating circumstances. When a claimant 
chooses to waive the right to appear at a hearing and allows the judge 
to decide the case based on the written evidence of record alone, we 
ask the claimant to submit this request to us in writing so we can 
document it in their record. While SSA will accept a written request, 
we also allow claimants to use Form HA-4608 to serve as a written 
waiver for the claimant's right to a personal appearance before a 
judge. The claimant may complete the paper version of the HA-4608 and 
mail it back to SSA using the pre-paid envelope SSA sends with it, or 
the claimant may choose to complete the submittable PDF version of the 
HA-4608 through SSA's Upload Documents Portal (OMB No. 0960-0830) on 
SSA's website. The judge uses the information we collect on Form HA-
4608 to continue processing the case and makes the completed form a 
part of the documentary evidence of record by placing it in the 
official record of the proceedings as an exhibit. Respondents are 
applicants or claimants for OASDI and SSI, or their representatives, 
who request to waive their right to appear before a judge.
    Type of Request: Revision of an approved-OMB information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                           Average
                                                                                          Average        Estimated       theoretical      Total annual
                Method of completion                     Number of     Frequency  of    burden per     total annual      hourly cost       opportunity
                                                        respondents      response        response     burden (hours)  amount (dollars)   cost (dollars)
                                                                                         (minutes)                            *                **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HA-4608 (Paper Version).............................           4,132               1               5             344          * $14.27         ** $4,909
HA-4608 (Upload Documents Version)..................           1,483               1               5             124           * 14.27          ** 1,769
                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..........................................           5,615  ..............  ..............             468  ................          ** 6,678
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on average disability payments ($14.27) 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 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.

    3. Request for Change in Time/Place of Disability Hearing--20 CFR 
404.91(c)(2) and 416.1414(c)(2)--0960-0348. At the request of the 
claimants or their representatives, SSA schedules evidentiary hearings 
at the reconsideration level for claimants of Title II benefits or 
Title XVI payments when we deny their claims for disability. When 
claimants or their representatives find they are unable to attend the 
scheduled hearing, they complete Form SSA-769 to request a change in 
time or place of the hearing. SSA uses the information from the form as 
a basis for granting or denying requests for changes and for 
rescheduling disability hearings. Respondents are claimants or their 
representatives who wish to request a change in the time or place of 
their reconsideration hearing.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                         Average
                                                                                  Average  burden     Estimated        theoretical        Total annual
             Method of completion                  Number of      Frequency  of    per  response     total annual      hourly cost     opportunity  cost
                                                  respondents        response        (minutes)     burden  (hours)  amount  (dollars)     (dollars) **
                                                                                                                            *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-769.......................................          24,599                1                8            3,280           * $14.27         ** $46,806
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on average disability payments ($14.27) 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 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.


[[Page 68215]]

    4. Marital Relationship Questionnaire--20 CFR 416.1826--0960-0460. 
SSA uses Form SSA-4178, Marital Relationship Questionnaire, to 
determine if unrelated individuals of the opposite sex who live 
together are presenting themselves as husband and wife. SSA needs this 
information to determine whether we are making correct payments to 
couples and individuals applying for, or currently receiving, 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. The respondents are 
applicants for, and recipients of, SSI payments.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Average
                                                                          Average        Estimated      theoretical     Average wait      Total annual
        Method of completion             Number of     Frequency  of    burden per     total annual     hourly cost    time in  field      opportunity
                                        respondents      response        response     burden (hours)      amount      office (minutes)   cost (dollars)
                                                                         (minutes)                      (dollars) *          **                ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-4178 (Paper)....................           3,331               1               5             278        * $14.27             ** 20       *** $19,807
Technician Interview (via SSI                  7,226               1               5             602         * 14.27             ** 20        *** 42,967
 Systems or CCE)....................
SSA-4178 (Upload Documents).........             426               1               5              36         * 14.27               N/A           *** 514
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..........................          10,983  ..............  ..............             916  ..............  ................        *** 63,288
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on average disability payments ($14.27) based on SSA's current FY 2026 data (Effect of COLA on Average Social Security Benefits).
** We based this figure on the average October 2026 wait time for field offices (20 minutes), as captured by SSA's current management information data.
  This figure is also posted on our public-facing website (Social Security performance [verbar] SSA). As the figures fluctuate, the wait times may be
  different on the website than they appear here. While we have included wait time for all respondents who complete 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 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.

    5. Employer Verification of Earnings After Death--20 CFR 404.821 
and 404.822--0960-0472. When SSA records show a wage earner is 
deceased, and we receive wage reports from an employer for the wage 
earner for a year subsequent to the year of death, SSA mails the 
employer Form SSA-L4112 (Employer Verification of Earnings After 
Death). SSA uses the information provided on Form SSA-L4112 to verify 
that the wage information previously received from the employer is 
correct for the employee and the year in question (the year following 
the employee's death). This process helps ensure the accuracy and 
integrity of earnings records. The respondents are employers who report 
wages for employees who have died.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                         Average
                                                                                  Average  burden     Estimated        theoretical        Total annual
             Method of completion                  Number of      Frequency  of    per  response     total annual      hourly cost     opportunity  cost
                                                  respondents        response        (minutes)      burden (hours)   amount (dollars)     (dollars) **
                                                                                                                            *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-L4112.....................................          27,304                1               20            9,101            * 33.54        ** $305,248
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on an average U.S. citizen's hourly salary ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
  Wage Statistics).
** 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.

    6. Pain Report Child--20 CFR 404.1512 and 416.912--0960-0540. 
Before SSA can make a disability determination for a child, we require 
evidence from parents, guardians, or individuals who know the child 
well and observe their daily life and symptoms to prove their 
disability. Form SSA-3371-BK provides disability interviewers, and SSI 
applicants or claimants in self-help situations, with a convenient way 
to record information claimants' pain or other symptoms. The State 
disability determination services adjudicators and judges use the 
information from Form SSA-3371-BK to assess the effects of symptoms on 
function for purposes of determining disability under the Act. The 
respondents are parents, guardians, or individuals who know a child SSI 
applicant or recipient well.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       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  cost
                                 respondents        response        (minutes)      burden (hours)       amount       office (minutes)    (dollars) ***
                                                                                                     (dollars) *            **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-3371.....................           1,500                1               15              375         * $23.91              ** 20        *** $20,921
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based these figures on the combined average of both disability payments ($14.27) based on SSA's current FY 2026 data (Effect of COLA on Average
  Social Security Benefits) and on the average U.S. worker's hourly wages ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational
  Employment and Wage Statistics).
** We based this figure on the average October 2026 wait time for field offices (20 minutes), as captured by SSA's current management information data.
  This figure is also posted on our public-facing website (Social Security performance [verbar] SSA). As the figures fluctuate, the wait times may be
  different on the website than they appear here. While we have included wait time for all respondents who complete 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 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.

    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

[[Page 68216]]

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 Social Security 
number holders who are requesting information about that pension plan 
from SSA.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           Average
                                                                     Average  burden     Estimated       theoretical        Average        Total annual
       Method of completion           Number of      Frequency  of    per  response     total annual     hourly cost      teleservice      opportunity
                                     respondents        response        (minutes)      burden (hours)       amount        answer time     cost (dollars)
                                                                                                         (dollars) *      (minutes) **         ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requests for Pension Plan                     178                1               30               89         * $33.54             ** 1       *** $3,086
 Information.....................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on an average U.S. citizen's hourly salary ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
  Wage Statistics).
** We based this figure on the October 2026 answer times for the teleservice centers (1 minute, which represents the average time it takes for a call to
  be picked up automatically by our systems and then routed to an SSA technician). 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.
*** 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.

    8. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program (WIPA) Star 
System, SSA-4565, and SSA-4566--0960-0629. As part of SSA's strategy to 
assist Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries and 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who wish to return to 
work and achieve self-sufficiency, SSA established the Work Incentives 
Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. This community-based, work 
incentive, planning and assistance project collects identifying 
claimant information via project sites and community work incentives 
coordinators (CWIC) through the WIPA Star System. SSA uses this 
information to ensure proper management of the project, with particular 
emphasis on administration, budgeting, and training. SSA uses Form SSA-
4565 (WIPA Intake Information) to collect data from SSDI beneficiaries 
and SSI recipients on background employment, training, benefits, and 
work incentives. CWICs use Form SSA-4566 (WIPA Notes) to create a case 
note to record actions taken for a beneficiary. In addition, CWIC 
mangers use Form SSA-451 (WIPA Manager Report) to complete and submit a 
quarterly report to SSA. The CWICs primarily use the WIPA Star System 
that allows the CWIC to: (1) provide SSA with information provided on 
Form SSA-4565, and additional information on beneficiaries served under 
the WIPA program; (2) manage their case notes for beneficiaries; (3) 
collect additional information not collected on Forms SSA-4565 and SSA-
4566 which allows SSA to monitor WIPA grantee's performance and 
progress; and (4) allow the CWIC mangers to complete and submit the 
SSA-451 quarterly report to SSA. The respondents are SSDI 
beneficiaries, SSI recipients, community project sites, and community 
work incentives coordinators.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                   Average                  Total annual
                                                                                     Average       Estimated     theoretical     Average     opportunity
         Method of completion             Number of   Frequency of    Number of    burden per    total annual    hourly cost   teleservice      cost
                                         respondents     response     responses     response    burden (hours)     amount      answer time    (dollars)
                                                                                    (minutes)                    (dollars) *  (minutes) **       ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-4565 (Fields 1-20--SSI & SSDI             15,810             1        15,810             8           2,108      * $14.27          ** 1   *** $33,848
 Beneficiaries).......................
SSA-4565 (Fields 21-63--SSI & SSDI             \+\ 1             1             1             1               0           * 1           N/A         *** 1
 Beneficiaries by phone)..............
SSA-4566 (WIPA staff).................         \+\ 1             1             1             1               0           * 1           N/A         *** 1
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals............................        15.812  ............        15,812  ............           2,110  ............  ............    *** 33,850
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                    WIPA STAR System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                   Average       Average    Total annual
                                                                                     Average       Estimated     theoretical    wait time    opportunity
         Method of completion             Number of     Frequency     Number of    burden per    total annual    hourly cost   teleservice      cost
                                         respondents   of response    responses     response    burden (hours)     amount        centers      (dollars)
                                                                                    (minutes)                    (dollars) *  (minutes) **       ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WIPA referral (SSI & SSDI                      5,190             1         5,190             8             692      * $14.27           N/A    *** $9,875
 beneficiaries).......................
WIPA referral data input collected               310            51        15,810             5           1,318       * 35.23           N/A    *** 46,433
 using the SSA-4565 (WIPA staff)......
WIPA intake (SSI & SSDI beneficiaries)        21,000             1        21,000            17           5,950       * 14.27           N/A    *** 84,907
WIPA case notes (WIPA staff)..........           310           430       133,300             2           4,443       * 35.23           N/A   *** 156,527
Task management (WIPA staff)..........           310           134        41,540             1             692       * 35.23           N/A    *** 24,379
Service management (WIPA staff).......           310           381       118,110             1           1,969       * 35.23           N/A    *** 69,368
SSA-451--Quarterly Report (WIPA                   73             4           292            60             292       * 42.73           N/A    *** 12,477
 managers)............................
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals............................        27,503  ............       335,242  ............          15.356  ............  ............   *** 403,966
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 68217]]

 
        Grand Totals..................        43,315  ............       351,054  ............          17,464  ............  ............   *** 441,569
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\+\ We are placing a place holder for paper Forms SSA-4565 (Fields 21-63-SSI & SSDI Beneficiaries) and SSA-4566, as SSA only uses the paper versions of
  these forms as a backup collection instrument if the WIPA STAR system becomes unavailable. As such, we do not anticipate any respondents will use the
  PDF versions of these forms under normal circumstances, therefore, we are including a placeholder burden here.
* We based this figure on average disability payments ($14.27) reflecting SSA's current FY 2026 data (Effect of COLA on Average Social Security
  Benefits), the Health Education Specialist ($35.23) and Social Community Service Managers ($42.73), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data
  (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics).
** We based this figure on the October 2026 answer times for the teleservice centers (1 minute, which represents the average time it takes for a call to
  be picked up automatically by our systems and then routed to an SSA technician). 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.
*** 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.

    9. Internet Direct Deposit Application--31 CFR 210--0960-0634. SSA 
requires all applicants and recipients of Social Security OASDI 
benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments to receive 
these benefits and payments via direct deposit, at a financial 
institution. SSA receives Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (DD/
EFT) enrollment information from OASDI beneficiaries and SSI recipients 
to facilitate DD/EFT of their funds, with their chosen financial 
institution. We also use this information when an enrolled individual 
wishes to change their DD/EFT information. For the convenience of the 
respondents, we collect this information through several modalities, 
including an internet application, in-office or telephone interviews, 
and our automated telephone system. Respondents are OASDI beneficiaries 
and SSI recipients requesting that we enroll them in the Direct Deposit 
program or change their direct deposit banking information.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information 
collection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        Average  wait
                                                                           Average                         Average     time in  field
                                          Number of     Frequency  of    burden per       Estimated      theoretical   office  or for     Total annual
         Method of completion            respondents      response        response      total annual     hourly cost     teleservice   opportunity  cost
                                                                          (minutes)    burden (hours)      amount          centers       (dollars) ***
                                                                                                         (dollars) *    (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Direct Deposit Application..       4,608,177               1              16       1,228,847        * $33.54             N/A    *** $41,215,528
Non-Electronic Services (FO, 800#)...       3,402,371               1               9         510,356         * 33.54           ** 11    *** $38,038,519
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals...........................       8,010,548  ..............  ..............       1,739,203  ..............  ..............     *** 79,254,047
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on an average U.S. citizen's hourly salary ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
  Wage Statistics).
** We based this 11-minute figure on average October 2026 wait times (specifically, the arithmetic mean of a 20-minute field-office wait time and a 1-
  minute wait time for a call to be picked up automatically by our systems and then routed to an SSA technician. Both the 20-minute and 1-minute figures
  are themselves averages captured by management information data and posted on our public-facing website, Social Security performance [verbar] SSA. As
  the figures fluctuate, the actual wait times may differ slightly from the averages reported here. We will update these figures periodically to reflect
  the most accurate available data.
*** 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.

    10. Notice to Electronic Information Exchange Partners to Provide 
Contractor List--0960-0820. The Federal standards Privacy Act of 1974; 
E-Government act of 2002; and the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Special Publications 800-53-4, require SSA to maintain 
oversight of the information it provides to Electronic Information 
Exchange Partners (EIEPs). EIEPs obtain SSA data for the administration 
of federally funded and state-administered programs. SSA has a 
responsibility to monitor and protect the personally identifiable 
information SSA shares with other Federal and State agencies. EIEPs 
agree to comply with Electronic Information Exchange security 
requirements and procedures for State and local Agencies exchanging 
electronic information with SSA. SSA's Technical Systems Security 
Requirements document provides that all agencies using SSA data must 
ensure SSA information is not processed; maintained; transmitted; or 
stored in; or by means of data communications channel; electronic 
devices; computers; or computer networks located in geographic or 
virtual areas not subject to U.S. law. SSA conducts tri-annual 
compliance reviews of all State and local agencies, and Tribes with 
whom we have an IEA, to verify appropriate security safeguards remain 
in place to protect the confidentiality of information SSA supplies. 
SSA requires any organization with an electronic data exchange 
agreement to provide SSA with a current list of contractors, or agents 
who have access to SSA data upon request. SSA uses Form SSA-731, Notice 
to Electronic Information Exchange Partners to Provide Contractor List 
to collect the list of current contractors. The respondents are Federal 
agencies and State, local, or tribal agencies who exchange electronic 
information with SSA.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information 
collection.

[[Page 68218]]



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                                                                                                                            Average
                                                                                      Average  burden     Estimated       theoretical      Total annual
               Method of completion                    Number of      Frequency  of    per  response     total annual     hourly cost      opportunity
                                                      respondents        response        (minutes)      burden (hours)       amount       cost (dollars)
                                                                                                                          (dollars) *           **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-731...........................................             300                1               20              100          * 33.54        ** $3,354
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on an average U.S. worker's hourly wages ($33.54), as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Occupational Employment and
  Wage Statistics).
** 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.

    11. State of Georgia's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council's 
(CJCC) Evaluation of the Implementation of the Supplemental Security 
Income (SSI)/Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Outreach, 
Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Model in County Jails--0960-0833. SSA is in 
a cooperative agreement with the State of Georgia's Criminal Justice 
Coordinating Council (CJCC) to conduct an intervention and evaluation 
of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security 
Disability Insurance (SSDI) Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) model 
in county jails with inmates with serious and persistent mental illness 
(SPMI) across the state. In addition to SSA, CJCC partnered with: (1) 
Applied Research Services (ARS), (2) the Georgia Department of 
Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), and (3) four 
county jails to implement the program. For this intervention, 
investigators hypothesized that untreated mental illness and repeated 
psychiatric crises may be a factor in jail recidivism. Therefore, the 
ability for inmates with SPMI to receive SSI/SSDI and attendant 
insurance benefits may help them obtain treatment and thus help to 
mitigate their criminal tendencies. This intervention connects 
respondents in four county jails identified as having SPMI to Medicaid 
Eligibility Specialists (MES) hired and trained by the Georgia DBHDD, 
who help them apply for SSI and SSDI. Respondents in two of the four 
counties (Fulton County Jail and Cobb County Jail) also have the option 
of working with a Forensic Peer Mentor (FPM), a formerly incarcerated 
individual who is familiar with resources that may help participants 
increase their quality-of-life post incarceration and avoid recidivism. 
SSA works with the two DBHDD MESs who are serving the participants over 
the total life of the project. To maximize the likelihood of the SSI/
SSDI application approval, the MES employs the SOAR method, which uses 
in-depth medical and personal summaries of disability to facilitate the 
SSI/SSDI application process. Researchers collect data from participant 
surveys to evaluate and study the impact of the intervention. Through 
the data collected through these surveys, along with administrative 
data from SSA, the State of Georgia, participating counties, and DBHDD 
hope to address the following research questions:
    <bullet> Does connection to a SOAR-trained specialist increase the 
likelihood that a person with SPMI in jail will be approved for SSI/
SSDI benefits?
    <bullet> If a person with SPMI receives SSI/SSDI benefits, are they 
able to connect to treatment resources that they may not have been able 
to obtain before?
    <bullet> If a person with SPMI connects to treatment resources and 
successfully engages with them, are they able to achieve mental health 
recovery and stay out of jail?
    To date, we began the initial enrollment and informed consent phase 
of this intervention, and we are currently completing this stage. We 
also began the follow-up survey stage for the first set of enrollees in 
the intervention, and we will continue to administer the follow-up 
survey as needed through 2027 until we complete this phase with all the 
respondents.
    The respondents are individuals with serious and persistent mental 
illness incarcerated in county jails in the state of Georgia.
    Type of Request: Revision of an OMB approved information 
collection.
    The following chart shows the current burden information for the 
remaining information collections associated with this intervention:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Average                         Average      Total annual
                                                             Number of     Frequency  of    burden per       Estimated      theoretical     opportunity
                  Method of completion                      respondents      response        response      total annual     cost amount   cost (dollars)
                                                                                             (minutes)    burden (hours)    (dollars) *         **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Enrollment Survey (Paper).......................          \+\ 10               1              19               3       * $ 14.27          ** $43
Informed Consent (Paper)................................          \+\ 10               1              10               2         * 14.27           ** 28
Follow-up Survey (Internet or Telephone)................          \+\ 60               1              23              23         * 14.27          ** 328
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..............................................          \+\ 80  ..............  ..............              51  ..............          ** 399
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\+\ These figures reflect the remaining respondents for these information collections from the total respondents who are taking part in this
  intervention.
* We based this figure on average disability payments ($14.27) 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 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.


Mark Steffensen,
General Counsel, Chief of Law, Policy and Legislative Affairs, Social 
Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2026-22073 Filed 10-28-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on October 29, 2026.

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.