Social Security Administration 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Rate for Assessment on Direct Payment of Fees to Representatives in 2015
Document Number: 2014-30332
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are announcing that the assessment percentage rate under sections 206(d) and 1631(d)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act (Act), 42 U.S.C. 406(d) and 1383(d)(2)(C), is 6.3 percent for 2015.
Federal Awarding Agency Regulatory Implementation of Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards
Document Number: 2014-28697
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-19
Agency: Agency for International Development, Agencies and Commissions, Department of the Interior, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, National Science Foundation, Small Business Administration, Social Security Administration, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Department of Treasury, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Endowment for the Arts, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation, Farm Service Agency, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service, Department of Commerce, Corporation for National and Community Service, Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Executive Office of the President, Management and Budget Office, National Drug Control Policy Office, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Health and Human Services
This joint interim final rule implements for all Federal award-making agencies the final guidance Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) published by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on December 26, 2013. This rule is necessary in order to incorporate into regulation and thus bring into effect the Uniform Guidance as required by OMB. Implementation of this guidance will reduce administrative burden and risk of waste, fraud, and abuse for the approximately $600 billion per year awarded in Federal financial assistance. The result will be more Federal dollars reprogrammed to support the mission, new entities able to compete and win awards, and ultimately a stronger framework to provide key services to American citizens and support the basic research that underpins the United States economy.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-29246
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-15
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-28562
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-05
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Department of Homeland Security (DHS))-Match Number 1010
Document Number: 2014-28327
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-02
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer matching program that we are currently conducting with DHS.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-27337
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-11-19
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Genitourinary Disorders; Correction
Document Number: 2014-26745
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-11-13
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
This document corrects a misspelling in the regulatory language of our final rulemaking published in the Federal Register on Friday, October 10, 2014, titled Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Genitourinary Disorders.
Charging Standard Administrative Fees for Nonprogram-Related Information Requests for Detailed Social Security Earnings
Document Number: 2014-26484
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-11-07
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
On November 8, 2013,\1\ we announced in the Federal Register a new administrative fee we charge to the public for detailed yearly Social Security earnings information. We charge administrative fees to recover our full costs when we provide information and related services for nonprogram purposes. We are announcing an update to the previously published fee for detailed yearly Social Security earning information.
Cost-of-Living Increases and Other Determinations for 2015; Correction
Document Number: 2014-26139
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-11-04
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
The Social Security Administration published a document in the Federal Register of October 29, 2014, concerning the cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits effective December 31, 2014. The new document specifies the effective date of the 1.7 percent cost-of- living increase in Social Security benefits.
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Railroad Retirement Board (RRB))-Match Number 1308
Document Number: 2014-26130
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-11-04
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer matching program that we are currently conducting with RRB.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-26015
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-11-03
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-25860
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-31
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2015
Document Number: 2014-25802
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-29
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Under title II of the Social Security Act (Act), there will be a 1.7 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits effective December 2014. In addition, the national average wage index for 2013 is $44,888.16. The cost-of-living increase and national average wage index affect other program parameters as described below.
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Department of Labor (DOL))-Match Number 1015
Document Number: 2014-24817
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-20
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer matching program that we are currently conducting with DOL.
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Department of Labor (DOL))-Match Number 1003
Document Number: 2014-24816
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-20
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer matching program that we are currently conducting with DOL.
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE))-Match Number 1074
Document Number: 2014-24815
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-20
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer matching program that we are currently conducting with OCSE.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-24231
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-10
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Genitourinary Disorders
Document Number: 2014-24114
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-10
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
These final rules revise the criteria in the Listing of Impairments (listings) that we use to evaluate cases involving genitourinary disorders in adults and children under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (Act). The revisions reflect our program experience and address adjudicator questions we have received since we last comprehensively revised this body system in 2005.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-22923
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-26
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request
Document Number: 2014-22809
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-25
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-22341
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-19
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request
Document Number: 2014-21656
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-11
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request
Document Number: 2014-21654
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-11
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Extension of the Expiration Date for State Disability Examiner Authority To Make Fully Favorable Quick Disability Determinations and Compassionate Allowances
Document Number: 2014-20535
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-28
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are extending the expiration date of our rule that authorizes State agency disability examiners to make fully favorable determinations without the approval of a State agency medical or psychological consultant in claims that we consider under our quick disability determination (QDD) and compassionate allowance (CAL) processes. The current rule will expire on November 14, 2014. In this final rule, we are changing the November 14, 2014 expiration or ``sunset'' date to November 13, 2015, extending the authority for 1 year. We are making no other substantive changes.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-20470
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-28
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Supplementary Agreement on Social Security Between the United States and the Swiss Confederation; Entry Into Force
Document Number: 2014-18826
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-08
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are giving notice that on August 1, 2014, a new agreement will enter into force that replaces the original U.S.-Swiss Social Security agreement that has been in effect since November 1, 1980. The new agreement, which was signed on December 3, 2012, was concluded pursuant to section 233 of the Social Security Act. The new agreement updates and clarifies several provisions in the original U.S.-Swiss Social Security agreement. The primary purpose, however, is to correct an anomalous situation, caused by a change in Swiss law, in which the original agreement allowed U.S. nationals to receive certain disability benefits from Switzerland on more favorable terms than Swiss nationals. Additionally, the new agreement provides that under certain conditions less restrictive than those of the original agreement. U.S. nationals may qualify for Swiss flat-rate, needs-based benefits. The new agreement also introduces new and enhanced provisions for the protection and integrity of personal data transmitted under the agreement. Individuals who wish to obtain copies of the new agreement or want general information about its provisions may write to the Social Security Administration, Office of International Programs, Post Office Box 17741, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7741. The Social Security Web site at https://www.socialsecurity.gov/international also includes the text of the new agreement. Anyone who wants information about the Swiss Social Security programs may write to the Swiss Compensation Office, 18 Avenue Ed. Vaucher, CH-1211 Geneva 28, Switzerland.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-18661
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-07
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Notice of Senior Executive Service Performance Review Board Membership
Document Number: 2014-18560
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-06
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-17994
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-31
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Extension of Expiration Date for Temporary Pilot Program Setting the Time and Place for a Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge; Correction
Document Number: 2014-17976
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-31
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
The Social Security Administration published a final rule document in the Federal Register on July 18, 2014 (79 FR 41881), extending the expiration date for the Temporary Pilot Program Setting the Time and Place for a Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge. That document inadvertently had a timing issue with Sec. 405.315(e) not being codified by the July 18, 2014 publication. Section 405.315(e) was codified on July 25, 2014. This document corrects the final regulation by revising the now codified Sec. 405.315(e).
Finding Regarding Foreign Social Insurance or Pension System-Slovenia
Document Number: 2014-17283
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-23
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-17275
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-23
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Extension of Expiration Date for Temporary Pilot Program Setting the Time and Place for a Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
Document Number: 2014-16782
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-18
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are extending for one year our pilot program that authorizes the agency to set the time and place for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). Extending the pilot program continues our commitment to improve the efficiency of our hearing process and provide accurate, high-quality decisions for claimants. The current pilot program will expire on August 9, 2014. In this final rule, we are extending the expiration date to August 10, 2015. We are making no other substantive changes.
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/the States)-Match 6000 and 6003
Document Number: 2014-16504
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-15
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer matching program that we are currently conducting with the States.
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS))-Match Number 1094
Document Number: 2014-16503
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-15
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer matching program that we are currently conducting with CMS.
Modifications to the Disability Determination Procedures; Extension of Testing of Some Disability Redesign Features
Document Number: 2014-16137
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-10
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are announcing the extension of tests involving modifications to disability determination procedures authorized by 20 CFR 404.906 and 416.1406. These rules authorize us to test several modifications to the disability determination procedures for adjudicating claims for disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Act) and for supplemental security income payments based on disability under title XVI of the Act.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request
Document Number: 2014-15621
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-03
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-15504
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-02
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Electronic Substitutions for SSA-538
Document Number: 2014-14914
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-06-26
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
This final rule adopts, without change, the final rule with request for comments we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 41685) on July 15, 2011. We are revising our regulations to reflect our use of electronic case processing at the initial and reconsideration levels of our administrative review process. We are not changing the requirement that State agency medical and psychological consultants must affirm the accuracy and completeness of their findings of fact and discussion of the supporting evidence, only the manner in which they may provide the required findings and affirmation. This revision will improve our efficiency by increasing our use of electronic resources.
Changes to Scheduling and Appearing at Hearings
Document Number: 2014-14793
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-06-25
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
These final rules explain how a claimant may object to appearing at a hearing via video teleconferencing, or to the time and place of a hearing. These final rules adopt, with further clarification regarding our good cause exception, the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that we published in the Federal Register on June 27, 2013. We expect that these final rules will have a minimal impact on the public, help ensure the integrity of our programs, and allow us to administer our programs more efficiently.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request
Document Number: 2014-14559
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-06-23
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Agreement on Social Security Between the United States and the Slovak Republic; Entry Into Force
Document Number: 2014-14217
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-06-18
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are giving notice that an agreement coordinating the United States (U.S.) and the Slovak social security programs entered into force on May 1, 2014. The agreement with the Slovak Republic, which was signed on December 10, 2012, is similar to U.S. social security agreements already in force with 24 other countriesAustralia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Section 233 of the Social Security Act authorizes agreements of this type. 42 U.S.C. 433.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-14207
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-06-18
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Privacy Act of 1974; Proposed New System of Records
Document Number: 2014-14042
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-06-17
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) we are issuing public notice of our intent to establish a new system of records entitled, Requests for Accommodation from Members of the Public (60-0378), hereinafter referred to as the RAMP system. We are establishing the RAMP system to cover information we receive from members of the public with disabilities who request accommodations in order to gain meaningful access to our programs. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) provides that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability will, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance or under any program or activity conducted by any Executive agency. Section 504 protects ``qualified individuals with disabilities,'' as defined in 45 CFR part 85, as ``persons with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.'' Agencies are required to take appropriate steps to ensure that qualified individuals with a disability are not denied access to the programs and activities the agency conducts because of their disabilities. To ensure compliance with Section 504, the agency may need to provide auxiliary aids or services or modifications to the way it conducts its programs. We will provide accommodations based on five broad categories of impairments: Blind or visual; cognitive or learning; deaf or hard of hearing; mobility or physical; and psychological or emotional. However, individuals who have other types of disabilities may also request an accommodation. We will use the information we collect to provide accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, to provide management information to the agency, and for research and statistical purposes.
Technical Corrections to Regulations
Document Number: 2014-13803
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-06-12
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are making technical corrections to several of our regulations. In some cases, we are correcting outdated cross-references in light of revisions we made to other rules. We are also revising the maximum dollar amount of overpayments subject to compromise based on other changes in the law, and we are adjusting the formula we use to calculate the maximum benefits payable in the first and second installment payments of large past-due benefits for the same reason. In addition, we are updating references to the coverage status of affected non-temporary employees of the government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. These changes do not alter the substance of the regulations or effect the rights of claimants or any other parties. We expect that the changes will make our rules more internally consistent and make them easier to use.
Obtaining Evidence Beyond the Current “Special Arrangement Sources”
Document Number: 2014-13802
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-06-12
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are amending our regulations to state that we will obtain evidence from any appropriate source. Our current regulations provide that we will obtain information from ``special arrangement sources'' for those infrequent situations when we are in a better position than our State agency partners to obtain evidence. Due to improved evidence collection through our increased use of health information technology (health IT), we are obtaining evidence electronically with increasing frequency. We expect that, over time, the electronic exchange of medical records will become our primary means for obtaining medical evidence. As we increase our use of health IT, the designation of ``special arrangement sources'' will no longer adequately describe from whom we collect evidence.
Social Security Ruling, SSR 14-3p; Titles II and XVI: Evaluating Endocrine Disorders Other Than Diabetes Mellitus
Document Number: 2014-12612
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-06-02
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are giving notice of SSR 14-3p. This SSR provides information about specific endocrine disorders other than diabetes mellitus (DM), and explains the types of impairments and limitations that result from those disorders. It also provides guidance on how we evaluate endocrine disorders in disability claims under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act.
Social Security Ruling, SSR 14-2p; Titles II and XVI: Evaluating Diabetes Mellitus
Document Number: 2014-12601
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-06-02
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We are giving notice of SSR 14-2p. This SSR provides information about the types of impairments and limitations that result from diabetes mellitus (DM). It also provides guidance on how we evaluate DM in disability claims under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request
Document Number: 2014-12428
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-05-29
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (CBSV) Service
Document Number: 2014-12242
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-05-28
Agency: Social Security Administration, Agencies and Commissions
We provide fee-based Social Security number (SSN) verification service to enrolled private businesses and government agencies who obtain a valid, signed consent form from the Social Security number holder. We originally published a notice announcing the CBSV service in the Federal Register on August 10, 2007. Based on the consent forms, we verify the number holders' SSNs for the requesting party. The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a(b)), section 1106 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1306) and our regulation at 20 CFR 401.100, establish the legal authority for us to provide SSN verifications to third party requesters based on consent. The CBSV process provides the business community and other government entities with consent-based SSN verifications in high volume. We developed CBSV as a user-friendly, internet-based application with safeguards that will protect the public's information. In addition to the benefit of providing high volume, centralized SSN verification services to the business community in a secure manner, CBSV provides us with cost and workload management benefits. New Information: To use CBSV, interested parties must pay a one- time non-refundable enrollment fee of $5,000. Currently, users also pay a fee of $1.10 per SSN verification transaction in advance of services. We agreed to calculate our costs periodically for providing CBSV services and adjust the fees as needed. We also agreed to notify our customers who currently use the service and allow them to cancel or continue using the service at the new transaction fee. Based on the most recent cost analysis, we will adjust the fiscal year 2014 fee to $3.10 per SSN verification transaction. New customers will still be responsible for the one-time $5,000 enrollment fee.
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