Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (Social Security Administration (SSA)/Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA))-Match Number 1309, 38501 [2015-16433]

Agencies

• Social Security Administration

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 128 (Monday, July 6, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 38501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16433]



[[Page 38501]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA 2014-0051]


Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program 
(Social Security Administration (SSA)/Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA))--Match Number 1309

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of a renewal of an existing computer matching program 
that will expire on April 01, 2015.

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

SUMMARY: 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 VA/VBA.

DATES: We will file a report of the subject matching program with the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; 
the Committee on Oversight and 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) 966-0869 or writing to the Executive Director, 
Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, Social 
Security Administration, 617 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 Executive Director, Office of 
Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, as shown above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. General

    The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. 
L.100-503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by describing the 
conditions under which computer matching involving the Federal 
government could be performed and adding certain protections for 
persons applying for, and receiving, Federal benefits. Section 7201 of 
the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508) further 
amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such persons.
    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 approval of the matching agreement by the Data Integrity 
Boards of the participating Federal agencies;
    (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 a person's benefits or payments.

B. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

    We have taken action to ensure that all of our computer matching 
programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended.

Kirsten J. Moncada,
Executive Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the 
General Counsel.
Notice of Computer Matching Program, SSA With the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

A. Participating Agencies
    SSA and VA/VBA

B. Purpose of the Matching Program
    The purpose of this matching program is to provide us with VA 
compensation and pension payment data. This disclosure will provide us 
with information necessary to verify an individual's self-certification 
of eligibility for the Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan 
Costs program (Extra Help). It will also enable us to identify 
individuals who may qualify for Extra Help as part of our Medicare 
outreach efforts.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program
    The legal authority for VA to disclose information under this 
agreement is 1631(f) of the Social Security Act (Act) (42 U.S.C. 
1383(f)). The legal authorities for us to conduct this computer 
matching are 1860D-14(a)(3), 1144(a)(1), and 1144(b)(1) of the Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395w-114 and 1320b-14).

D. Categories of Records and Persons Covered by the Matching Program
1. Systems of Records
    VA will provide us with electronic files containing compensation 
and pension payment data from its system of records (SOR) entitled 
``Compensation, Pension, Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment Records-VA'' (58VA/21/22/28), republished with updated name 
at 74 FR 14865 (April 1, 2009) and last amended at 77 FR 42593 (July 
19, 2012).
    We will match the VA data with our SOR 60-0321, Medicare Database 
(MDB), last published at 71 FR 42159 (July 25, 2006).

2. Number of Records
    VA's data file will consist of approximately 4.9 million electronic 
records. Our comparison file contains approximately 90 million records 
obtained from the MDB. The number of people who apply for Extra Help 
determines in part the number of records matched.

3. Specified Data Elements
    We will conduct the match using the Social Security number, name, 
date of birth, and VA claim number on both the VA file and the MDB.

4. Frequency of Matching
    VA will furnish us with an electronic file containing VA 
compensation and pension payment data monthly. The actual matching will 
take place approximately the first week of every month.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program
    The effective date of this matching program is April 02, 2015 
provided that the following notice periods have lapsed: 30 days after 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register and 40 days after 
notice of the matching program is sent to Congress and OMB. The 
matching program will continue for 18 months from the effective date 
and, if both agencies meet certain conditions, it may extend for an 
additional 12 months thereafter.
[FR Doc. 2015-16433 Filed 7-2-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4191-02-P