Modifications to the Disability Determination Procedures; Extension of Testing of Some Disability Redesign Features, 45890-45891 [E6-13102]

Download as PDF 45890 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 154 / Thursday, August 10, 2006 / Notices Electronic Comments SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–Phlx–2006–42 on the subject line. Modifications to the Disability Determination Procedures; Extension of Testing of Some Disability Redesign Features Paper Comments rwilkins on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA). Notice of the extension of tests involving modifications to the disability determination procedures. ACTION: SUMMARY: We are announcing the extension of tests involving modifications to our disability determination procedures that we are conducting under the authority of current rules codified at 20 CFR 404.906 All submissions should refer to File and 416.1406. These rules provide Number SR–Phlx–2006–42. This file authority to test several modifications to number should be included on the the disability determination procedures subject line if e-mail is used. To help the that we normally follow in adjudicating Commission process and review your claims for disability insurance benefits comments more efficiently, please use under title II of the Social Security Act only one method. The Commission will (the Act) and for supplemental security post all comments on the Commission’s income payments based on disability Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ under title XVI of the Act. We have rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the decided to extend testing of the two submission, all subsequent redesign features of the disability amendments, all written statements prototype for up to 3 years in the with respect to the proposed rule following disability determination services (DDSs): New York, change that are filed with the Pennsylvania, Alabama, Michigan, Commission, and all written Louisiana, Missouri, Colorado, communications relating to the California (Los Angeles North and West proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than Branches), and Alaska. We are not extending testing of these features in the those that may be withheld from the New Hampshire DDS due to the public in accordance with the publication of the final rule changes to provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be 20 CFR 404.1527(f)(1) and 20 CFR available for inspection and copying in 405.201 that take effect August 1, 2006. the Commission’s Public Reference These rule changes are initially only in Room. Copies of the filing also will be effect in the Boston Region. available for inspection and copying at DATES: We are extending our selection the principal office of the Phlx. All of cases to be included in these tests comments received will be posted from September 30, 2006 until no later without change; the Commission does than September 30, 2009. If we decide not edit personal identifying to continue selection of cases for these information from submissions. You tests beyond this date, we will publish should submit only information that another notice in the Federal Register. you wish to make available publicly. All FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil submissions should refer to File Landis, Office of Disability Number SR–Phlx–2006–42 and should Determinations, Social Security be submitted on or before August 31, Administration, 6401 Security 2006. Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235– 6401, 410–965–5388. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Current authority.25 regulations at 20 CFR 404.906 and 416.1406 authorize us to test, Nancy M. Morris, individually, or in any combination, Secretary. different modifications to the disability [FR Doc. E6–13023 Filed 8–9–06; 8:45 am] determination procedures. We have BILLING CODE 8010–01–P conducted several tests under the authority of these rules, including a prototype that incorporates a number of modifications to the disability determination procedures that the DDSs 25 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). use. The prototype included three VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:27 Aug 09, 2006 Jkt 208001 PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 redesign features, and we previously extended the tests of two of those features: the use of a single decisionmaker, in which a disability examiner may make the initial disability determination in most cases without requiring the signature of a medical consultant; and elimination of the reconsideration level of review. We are extending the testing of the two redesign features of the disability prototype. We also have conducted another test involving the use of a single decisionmaker who may make the initial disability determination in most cases without requiring the signature of a medical consultant. We are extending the period during which we will select cases to be included in this test of the single decisionmaker feature in the following DDSs: West Virginia, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, Nevada, Guam, and Washington. We are not extending this test in the Maine and Vermont DDSs due to the publication of the final rule change to 20 CFR 404.1527(f)(1). The rule change goes into effect on August 1, 2006 in the Boston Region only. Extension of Testing of Some Disability Redesign Features On August 30, 1999, we published in the Federal Register a notice announcing a prototype that would test a new disability claims process in 10 States, also called the prototype process (64 FR 47218). On December 23, 1999, we published a notice in the Federal Register (65 FR 72134) extending the period during which we would select cases to be included in a separate test of the single decisionmaker feature. In these notices, we stated that selection of cases was expected to be concluded on or about December 31, 2001. We also stated that, if we decided to continue the tests beyond that date, we would publish another notice in the Federal Register. We subsequently published notices in the Federal Register extending selection of cases for these tests. Most recently, on September 26, 2005, we published a notice extending selection of cases for the tests until no later than September 30, 2006 (70 FR 56204). We also stated that, if we decided to continue selection of cases for these tests beyond that date, we would publish another notice in the Federal Register. We have decided to extend selection of cases for two features of the prototype process (single decisionmaker and elimination of the reconsideration step), and the separate test of single decisionmaker beyond September 30, 2006. We expect that our selection of cases for these tests will end on or before September 30, 2009. E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM 10AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 154 / Thursday, August 10, 2006 / Notices This extension also applies to the locations in the State of New York that we added to the prototype test in a notice published in the Federal Register on December 26, 2000 (65 FR 81553). Dated: August 3, 2006. Linda S. McMahon, Deputy Commissioner for Operations. [FR Doc. E6–13102 Filed 8–9–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191–02–P SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/ Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Children and Families/Office of Child Support Enforcement (HHS/ACF/OCSE))— Match Number 1074 AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA). Notice of the renewal of an existing computer matching program which expired on June 18, 2006. The match is conducted on a quarterly basis. The next match is scheduled for September 2006. ACTION: rwilkins on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a computer matching program that SSA plans to conduct with the HHS/ACF/ OCSE. DATES: SSA will file a report of the subject matching program with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The matching program will be effective as indicated below. ADDRESSES: Interested parties may comment on this notice by either telefaxing to (410) 965–5328 or by writing to the Associate Commissioner, Office of Income Security Programs, 200 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235–6401. All comments received will be available for public inspection at this address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Associate Commissioner for the Office of Income Security Programs, as shown above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. General The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Public Law 100– 503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by establishing the conditions under which computer matching VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:27 Aug 09, 2006 Jkt 208001 45891 involving the Federal government could be performed and adding certain protections for individuals applying for, and receiving, Federal benefits. Section 7201 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–508) further amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such individuals. The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching by Federal agencies when records in a system of records are matched with other Federal, State, or local government records. It requires Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs to: (1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency, or agencies, participating in the matching programs; (2) Obtain the Data Integrity Boards’ approval of the match agreements; (3) Publish notice of the computer matching program in the Federal Register; (4) Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress and OMB; (5) Notify applicants and beneficiaries that their records are subject to matching; and (6) Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating or denying an individual’s benefits or payments. C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program This matching program is carried out under the authority of section 453(j)(4), 1631(e)(1)(B) and (f) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C., 653(j)(4) and 1383(e)(1)(B) and (f), and 5 U.S.C.552a(o),(p), (q) and (r). B. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act. [FR Doc. E6–13029 Filed 8–9–06; 8:45 am] We have taken action to ensure that all of SSA’s computer matching programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended. Dated: August 4, 2006. Martin H. Gerry, Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs. Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration (SSA) with the Health and Human Services/Administration for Children and Families/Office of Child Support Enforcement (HHS/ACF/OCSE). A. Participating Agencies SSA and OCSE. B. Purpose of the Matching Program The matching program will assist SSA in establishing or verifying eligibility and/or payment amounts under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, as authorized by the Social Security Act and by the Privacy Act. Under the matching program, SSA will obtain quarterly wage, new hire, and unemployment insurance information from OCSE. PO 00000 Frm 00127 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Matching Program On the basis of certain identifying information provided by SSA to OCSE, OCSE will send SSA electronic files containing quarterly wage, new hire and unemployment insurance information in National Directory of New Hires of its Federal Parent Locator Service system of records. SSA will then match the OCSE data with title XVI payment information maintained in Supplemental Security Income Record and Special Veterans Benefits system of records. E. Inclusive Dates of the Match The matching program will become effective no sooner than 40 days after notice for the program is sent to Congress and OMB, or 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever date is later. The matching program will continue for 18 months from the effective date and may be extended for an additional 12 months thereafter, if certain conditions are met. BILLING CODE 4191–02–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 5489] 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS–4024, American Citizens Services Internet Based Registration System (IBRS), OMB Number 1405–0152 Notice of request for public comments. ACTION: SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: American Citizens Services Internet Based Registration System (IBRS). OMB Control Number: 1405–0152. Type of Request: Revision of Currently Approved Collection. The E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM 10AUN1

Agencies

Social Security Administration

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 154 (Thursday, August 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45890-45891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13102]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Modifications to the Disability Determination Procedures; 
Extension of Testing of Some Disability Redesign Features

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of the extension of tests involving modifications to the 
disability determination procedures.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are announcing the extension of tests involving 
modifications to our disability determination procedures that we are 
conducting under the authority of current rules codified at 20 CFR 
404.906 and 416.1406. These rules provide authority to test several 
modifications to the disability determination procedures that we 
normally follow in adjudicating claims for disability insurance 
benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (the Act) and for 
supplemental security income payments based on disability under title 
XVI of the Act. We have decided to extend testing of the two redesign 
features of the disability prototype for up to 3 years in the following 
disability determination services (DDSs): New York, Pennsylvania, 
Alabama, Michigan, Louisiana, Missouri, Colorado, California (Los 
Angeles North and West Branches), and Alaska. We are not extending 
testing of these features in the New Hampshire DDS due to the 
publication of the final rule changes to 20 CFR 404.1527(f)(1) and 20 
CFR 405.201 that take effect August 1, 2006. These rule changes are 
initially only in effect in the Boston Region.

DATES: We are extending our selection of cases to be included in these 
tests from September 30, 2006 until no later than September 30, 2009. 
If we decide to continue selection of cases for these tests beyond this 
date, we will publish another notice in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil Landis, Office of Disability 
Determinations, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security 
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401, 410-965-5388.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Current regulations at 20 CFR 404.906 and 
416.1406 authorize us to test, individually, or in any combination, 
different modifications to the disability determination procedures. We 
have conducted several tests under the authority of these rules, 
including a prototype that incorporates a number of modifications to 
the disability determination procedures that the DDSs use. The 
prototype included three redesign features, and we previously extended 
the tests of two of those features: the use of a single decisionmaker, 
in which a disability examiner may make the initial disability 
determination in most cases without requiring the signature of a 
medical consultant; and elimination of the reconsideration level of 
review. We are extending the testing of the two redesign features of 
the disability prototype.
    We also have conducted another test involving the use of a single 
decisionmaker who may make the initial disability determination in most 
cases without requiring the signature of a medical consultant. We are 
extending the period during which we will select cases to be included 
in this test of the single decisionmaker feature in the following DDSs: 
West Virginia, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, Nevada, Guam, 
and Washington. We are not extending this test in the Maine and Vermont 
DDSs due to the publication of the final rule change to 20 CFR 
404.1527(f)(1). The rule change goes into effect on August 1, 2006 in 
the Boston Region only.

Extension of Testing of Some Disability Redesign Features

    On August 30, 1999, we published in the Federal Register a notice 
announcing a prototype that would test a new disability claims process 
in 10 States, also called the prototype process (64 FR 47218). On 
December 23, 1999, we published a notice in the Federal Register (65 FR 
72134) extending the period during which we would select cases to be 
included in a separate test of the single decisionmaker feature. In 
these notices, we stated that selection of cases was expected to be 
concluded on or about December 31, 2001. We also stated that, if we 
decided to continue the tests beyond that date, we would publish 
another notice in the Federal Register. We subsequently published 
notices in the Federal Register extending selection of cases for these 
tests. Most recently, on September 26, 2005, we published a notice 
extending selection of cases for the tests until no later than 
September 30, 2006 (70 FR 56204). We also stated that, if we decided to 
continue selection of cases for these tests beyond that date, we would 
publish another notice in the Federal Register. We have decided to 
extend selection of cases for two features of the prototype process 
(single decisionmaker and elimination of the reconsideration step), and 
the separate test of single decisionmaker beyond September 30, 2006. We 
expect that our selection of cases for these tests will end on or 
before September 30, 2009.

[[Page 45891]]

    This extension also applies to the locations in the State of New 
York that we added to the prototype test in a notice published in the 
Federal Register on December 26, 2000 (65 FR 81553).

    Dated: August 3, 2006.
Linda S. McMahon,
Deputy Commissioner for Operations.
[FR Doc. E6-13102 Filed 8-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P

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