Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment Request, 18335-18340 [2017-07796]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 73 / Tuesday, April 18, 2017 / Notices
Administration, 409 Third Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20416.
A. Joseph Shepard,
Associate Administrator for Office of
Investment and Innovation.
[FR Doc. 2017–07789 Filed 4–17–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Administrator’s Line of Succession
Designation, No. 1–A, Revision 36
This document replaces and
supersedes ‘‘Line of Succession
Designation No. 1–A, Revision 35’’.
Line of Succession Designation No.
1–A, Revision 36:
Effective immediately, the
Administrator’s Line of Succession
Designation is as follows:
(a) In the event of my inability to
perform the functions and duties of my
position, or my absence from the office,
the Deputy Administrator will assume
all functions and duties of the
Administrator. In the event the Deputy
Administrator and I are both unable to
perform the functions and duties of the
position or are absent from our offices,
I designate the officials in listed order
below, if they are eligible to act as
Administrator under the provisions of
the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of
1998 (5 U.S.C. 3345–3349d), to serve as
Acting Administrator with full authority
to perform all acts which the
Administrator is authorized to perform:
(1) Chief of Staff;
(2) General Counsel;
(3) Chief Operating Officer;
(4) Associate Administrator, Office of
Disaster Assistance; and
(5) Regional Administrator for Region
9.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of
SBA Standard Operating Procedure 00
01 2, ‘‘absence from the office,’’ as used
in reference to myself in paragraph (a)
above, means the following:
(1) I am not present in the office and
cannot be reasonably contacted by
phone or other electronic means, and
there is an immediate business necessity
for the exercise of my authority; or
(2) I am not present in the office and,
upon being contacted by phone or other
electronic means, I determine that I
cannot exercise my authority effectively
without being physically present in the
office.
(c) An individual serving in an acting
capacity in any of the positions listed in
subparagraphs (a)(1) through (5), unless
designated as such by the
Administrator, is not also included in
this Line of Succession. Instead, the
next non-acting incumbent in the Line
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of Succession shall serve as Acting
Administrator.
(d) This designation shall remain in
full force and effect until revoked or
superseded in writing by the
Administrator, or by the Deputy
Administrator when serving as Acting
Administrator.
(e) Serving as Acting Administrator
has no effect on the officials listed in
subparagraphs (a)(1) through (5), above,
with respect to their full-time position’s
authorities, duties and responsibilities
(except that such official cannot both
recommend and approve an action).
Dated: April 11, 2017.
Linda E. McMahon,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017–07778 Filed 4–17–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025–01–P
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA–2017–0019]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Request and
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, Fax:
202–395–6974, Email address: OIRA_
Submission@omb.eop.gov.
(SSA), Social Security
Administration, OLCA, Attn: Reports
Clearance Director, 3100 West High
Rise, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore,
MD 21235, Fax: 410–966–2830, Email
address: OR.Reports.Clearance@ssa.gov.
Or you may submit your comments
online through www.regulations.gov,
referencing Docket ID Number [SSA–
2017–0019].
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18335
I. The information collections below
are pending at SSA. SSA will submit
them to OMB within 60 days from the
date of this notice. To be sure we
consider your comments, we must
receive them no later than June 19,
2017. Individuals can obtain copies of
the collection instruments by writing to
the above email address.
1. Promoting Opportunity
Demonstration—0960–NEW. Section
823 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015
requires SSA to carry out the Promoting
Opportunity Demonstration (POD) to
test a new benefit offset formula for
Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI) beneficiaries. Therefore, SSA is
undertaking POD, a demonstration to
evaluate the affect the new policy will
have on SSDI beneficiaries and their
families in several critical areas: (1)
Employment, (2) benefits, (3) earnings,
and (4) income (earnings plus benefits).
Under current law, Social Security
beneficiaries lose their SSDI benefit if
they have earnings or work activity
above the threshold of Substantial
Gainful Activity (SGA). The POD
evaluation will draw on previous
lessons from related work incentive
experiences, especially SSA’s Benefit
Offset National Demonstration (BOND),
0960–0785, which tested a different
offset formula. POD tests a different
policy than BOND in two important
ways: (1) A lower threshold at which
point the offset is applied—increasing
the likelihood of reducing benefit
expenditures relative to current law
expenditures; and (2) A more immediate
adjustment to the benefits—to increase
the salience and clarity of the offset
policy for beneficiaries. The POD will
test a benefit offset that will reduce
benefits by $1 for every $2 in
participants’ earnings above the POD
threshold, gradually reducing benefits
as earnings increase. The POD threshold
will equal the greater of (1) an inflationadjusted trial work period level ($840 in
2017); or (2) the amount of the
participant’s itemized impairmentrelated work expenses up to SGA. The
new rules we will test in POD also
simplify work incentives and we intend
them to promote employment and
reduce dependency on benefits.
The design for POD will include
implementation and evaluation
activities designed to answer seven
central research questions:
• What are the impacts of the two
POD benefit designs on beneficiaries’
earnings, SSDI benefits, and total
earnings and benefit income?
• Is POD attractive to beneficiaries?
Do they remain engaged over time?
• How were the POD offset policies
implemented, and what operational,
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systemic, or contextual factors
facilitated or posed challenges to
administering the offset?
• How successful were POD and SSA
in making timely benefit adjustments,
and what factors affected timeliness
positively or negatively?
• How do the impacts of the POD
offset policies vary with beneficiary
characteristics?
• What are the costs and benefits of
the POD benefit designs relative to
current law, and what are the
implications for the SSDI trust fund?
• What are the implications of the
POD findings for national policy
proposals that would include a SSDI
benefit offset?
The public survey data collections have
four components—a process analysis, a
participation analysis, an impact
analysis, and a cost-benefit analysis.
The data collections are the primary
source for data to measure the effects
the benefit offset on SSDI beneficiaries’
work efforts and earnings. Ultimately,
these data will benefit researchers,
policy analysts, policy makers, SSA,
and the state vocational rehabilitation
agencies in a wide range of program
areas. There are four targeted outcomes
for SSDI beneficiaries under POD: (1)
Increased employment and earnings; (2)
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
Frequency
of response
decreased benefits payments; (3)
increased total income; and (4) impacts
on other related outcomes (for example,
health status and quality of life).
Additionally, four outcomes of
interest for system changes include: (1)
Reduction in overpayments; (2)
enhanced program integrity; (3) stronger
culture of self-sufficiency; and (4)
improved SSDI trust fund balance.
Respondents are SSDI beneficiaries,
who will provide written consent before
agreeing to participate in the study and
before we randomly assign them to one
of the study treatment groups.
Type of Request: Request for a new
information collection.
Number of
responses
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
Informed Consent Form .......................................................
Baseline Survey ...................................................................
12-Month Follow Up Survey ................................................
24-Month Follow Up Survey ................................................
Interviews with Site Staff .....................................................
Onsite Audit of Sample of Case Files .................................
Semi-Structured Interviews with Treatment Group Subjects
Monthly Earnings and Impairment-Related Expenses Reporting Form (paper) ........................................................
Monthly Earnings and Impairment-Related Expenses Reporting Form (Internet) .....................................................
End of Year Reporting Form (paper) ...................................
End of Year Reporting Form (Internet) ................................
16,500
16,500
6,000
12,000
40
8
144
1
1
1
1
4
2
1
16,500
16,500
6,000
12,000
160
16
144
15
20
30
30
66
20
60
4,125
5,500
3,000
6,000
176
5
144
1,820
12
21,840
10
3,640
780
945
405
12
1
1
9,360
945
405
5
15
10
780
236
68
Totals ............................................................................
55,142
........................
83,870
........................
23,674
2. Statement Regarding
Contributions—20 CFR 404.360–
404.366 and 404.736—0960–0020. SSA
uses the SSA–783 to collect information
regarding a child’s current sources of
support when determining the child’s
entitlement to Social Security benefits.
We request this information from adults
acting on behalf of the child claimants
who can provide SSA with any sources
of support or substantial contributions
for the child. These adults inform the
claims representative of these sources as
part of the initial benefits process. If the
individual capable of providing the
information does not accompany the
child claimant, we mail the SSA–783 to
the individual for completion; or if the
person has access to a computer, we
will refer them to SSA’s Web site. The
respondents are individuals providing
information about a child’s sources of
support.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of
respondents
Frequency
of response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
SSA–783 ..........................................................................................................
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Modality of completion
30,000
1
17
8,500
3. Disability Report—Appeal—20 CFR
404.1512, 416.912, 404.916(c),
416.1416(c), 422.140, 404.1713,
416.1513, 404.1740(b)(4),
416.1540(b)(4), and 405 Subpart C—
0960–0144. SSA requires disability
applicants who wish to appeal an
unfavorable disability determination to
complete Form SSA–3441–BK; the
associated Electronic Disability Collect
System (EDCS) interview; or the Internet
application, i3441. This allows
claimants to disclose any changes to
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their disability, or resources, which
might influence SSA’s unfavorable
determination. We may use the
information to: (1) Reconsider and
review an initial disability
determination; (2) review a continuing
disability; and (3) evaluate a request for
a hearing. This information assists the
State Disability Determination Services
(DDS) and administrative law judges
(ALJ) in preparing for the appeals and
hearings, and in issuing a determination
or decision on an individual’s
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entitlement (initial or continuing) to
disability benefits. In addition, the
information we collect on the SSA–
3441–BK, or related modalities,
facilitates SSA’s collection of medical
information to support the applicant’s
request for reconsideration; request for
benefits cessation appeal; and request
for a hearing before an ALJ.
Respondents are individuals who
appeal denial, reduction, or cessation of
Social Security disability benefits and
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
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payments; individuals who wish to
request a hearing before an ALJ; or their
representatives.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Frequency
of response
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
SSA–3441–BK .................................................................................................
Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS) ...................................................
i3441 (Internet) ................................................................................................
2,396
476,771
1,046,938
1
1
1
45
45
28
1,797
357,578
488,571
Totals ........................................................................................................
1,526,105
........................
........................
847,946
4. Authorization to Disclose
Information to SSA—20 CFR 404.1512
and 416.912, 45 CFR 160 and 164—
0960–0623. Sections 223(d)(5)(A) and
1614(a)(3)(H)(i) of the Social Security
Act require claimants to provide
medical and other evidence the
Commissioner of Social Security may
require to prove they are disabled. SSA
must obtain sufficient evidence to make
eligibility determinations for Title II and
Title XVI payments. Therefore, the
applicant must authorize release of
information from various sources to
SSA. The applicants use Form SSA–
827, or the Internet counterpart, i827, to
provide consent for the release of
medical records, education records, and
other information related to their ability
to perform tasks. Once the applicant
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
completes Form SSA–827, or the i827,
SSA or the State DDS sends the form to
the designated source(s) to obtain
pertinent records. The respondents are
applicants for Title II and Title XVI
disability payments.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Frequency
of response
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
4,189,270
1,055,807
1
1
9
10
628,391
175,968
Totals ........................................................................................................
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i827 with electronic signature (eAuthorization) ................................................
SSA–827 with wet signature (paper version) ..................................................
5,245,077
........................
........................
804,359
II. SSA submitted the information
collections below to OMB for clearance.
Your comments regarding these
information collections would be most
useful if OMB and SSA receive them 30
days from the date of this publication.
To be sure we consider your comments,
we must receive them no later than May
18, 2017. Individuals can obtain copies
of the OMB clearance packages by
writing to OR.Reports.Clearance@
ssa.gov.
1. Supported Employment
Demonstration (SED)—0960–NEW.
Sponsored by SSA, the SED builds on
the success of the intervention designed
for the Mental Health Treatment Study
(MHTS) previously funded by SSA. The
MHTS provides integrated mental
health and vocational services to
disability beneficiaries with mental
illness. The SED will offer these same
services to individuals with mental
illness to whom SSA denied Social
Security disability benefits. SSA seeks
to determine whether offering this
evidence-based package of integrated
vocational and mental health services to
denied disability applicants fosters
employment that leads to selfsufficiency, improved mental health and
quality of life, and reduced demand for
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disability benefits. The SED will use a
randomized controlled trial to compare
the outcomes of two treatment groups
and a control group. Study participation
spans 36 months beginning on the day
following the date of randomization to
one of the three study groups. The SED
study population consists of individuals
aged 18 to 50 who apply for disability
benefits alleging a mental illness and
the initial decision is a denial of
benefits in the past 60 days. The SED
will enroll up to 1,000 participants in
each of the three study arms for a total
of 3,000 participants: 40 participants in
each of three study arms for the 20
urban sites equaling an n of 2,400 urban
site participants, and 20 participants in
each of three arms for the 10 rural sites
equaling an n of 600 rural site
participants. We randomly select and
assign each enrolled participant to one
of three study arms:
• Full-Service Treatment (n=1,000).
The multi-component service model
from the MHTS comprises the FullService Treatment. At its core are an
Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
supported employment specialist and
behavioral health specialist providing
IPS supported employment services
integrated with behavioral health care.
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Participants in the full-service treatment
group will also receive the services of a
Nurse Care Coordinator who
coordinates Systematic Medication
Management services, as well assistance
with: Out-of-pocket expenses associated
with prescription behavioral health
medications; work-related expenses;
and services and treatment not covered
by the participant’s health insurance.
• Basic-Service Treatment (n=1,000).
The Basic-Service Treatment model
leaves intact IPS supported employment
integrated with behavioral health
services as the centerpiece of the
intervention arm. The Basic-Service
Treatment is essentially the Full-Service
model without the services of the Nurse
Care Coordinator, Systematic
Medication Management, and the funds
associated with out-of-pocket expenses
for prescription behavioral health
medications.
• Usual Services (n=1,000). This
study arm represents a control group
against which the two treatment groups
we can compare. Participants assigned
to this group seek services as they
normally would (or would not) in their
community. However, at the time of
randomization, each Usual Service
participant will receive a
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comprehensive manual describing
mental health and vocational services in
their locale, along with state and
national resources.
This study will test the two treatment
conditions against each other and
against the control group on multiple
outcomes of policy interest to SSA. The
key outcomes of interest include: (1)
Employment; (2) earnings; (3) income;
(4) mental status; (5) quality of life; (6)
health services utilization; and (7) SSA
disability benefit receipt and amount.
SSA is also interested in the study take
up rate (participation), knowing who
enrolls (and who does not), and fidelity
to evidence-based treatments, among
interviews with the IPS specialist, the
nurse care coordinator, the case
manager, and facility director; (4) focus
groups with participants in the FullService and Basic-Service Treatment
groups; and (5) ethnographic data
collection consisting of observations in
the natural environment and personcentered interviews with participants
and non-participants. The respondents
are study participants and nonparticipants, family members, IPS
specialists, nurse care coordinators, case
managers, and facility directors.
Type of Request: Request for a new
information collection.
other aspects of implementation. Data
collection for the evaluation of the SED
will consist of the following activities:
Baseline in-person participant
interviews; quarterly participant
telephone interviews; receipt of SSA
administrative record data; and
collection of site-level program data.
Evaluation team members will also
conduct site visits involving: (1) Previsit environmental scans in order to
understand the local context in which
SED services are embedded; (2)
independent fidelity assessments in
conjunction with those carried out by
state Mental Health/Vocational
Rehabilitation staff; (3) key informant
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
Frequency
of response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Number of
responses
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
Competency and CIDI Screener ..........................................
Baseline Interview ................................................................
Quarterly Interview (Quarters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and
11) ....................................................................................
Annual Interview (Quarters 4, 8, and 11) ............................
Fidelity Assessment Participant Interview ...........................
Fidelity Assessment Family Member Interview ...................
Key Informant Interview .......................................................
Participant Focus Groups ....................................................
Person-Centered Interview ..................................................
3,000
3,000
1
1
3,000
3,000
40
45
2,000
2,250
3,000
3,000
180
90
120
600
180
9
3
4
4
4
2
4
27,000
9,000
720
360
480
1,200
720
20
30
60
60
60
60
60
9,000
4,500
720
360
480
1,200
720
Totals ............................................................................
13,170
........................
45,480
........................
21,230
2. Student Reporting Form—20 CFR
404.352(b)(2); 404.367; 404.368;
404.415; 404.434; 422.135—0960–0088.
To qualify for Social Security Title II
student benefits, student beneficiaries
must be in full-time attendance status at
an educational institution. In addition,
SSA requires these beneficiaries to
report events that may cause a
reduction, termination, or suspension of
their benefits. SSA collects such
information on Forms SSA–1383 and
SSA–1383–FC to determine if the
changes or events the student
beneficiaries report will affect their
continuing entitlement to SSA benefits.
SSA also uses the SSA–1383 and SSA–
1383–FC to calculate the correct benefit
amounts for student beneficiaries. The
respondents are Social Security Title II
student beneficiaries.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
74,887
1,247
1
1
6
6
7,489
125
Totals ........................................................................................................
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SSA–1383 ........................................................................................................
SSA–1383–FC .................................................................................................
76,134
........................
........................
7,614
3. Advanced Notice of Termination of
Child’s Benefits & Student’s Statement
Regarding School Attendance—20 CFR
404.350–404.352, 404.367–404.368—
0960–0105. SSA collects information on
Forms SSA–1372–BK and SSA–1372–
BK–FC to determine whether children
of an insured worked meet the
eligibility requirements for student
benefits. The data we collect allows SSA
to determine student entitlement and
whether to terminate benefits. The
respondents are student claimants for
Social Security benefits, their respective
Number of
respondents
Type of respondent
Individuals/Households ....................................................................................
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schools and, in some cases, their
representative payees.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
SSA–1372–BK:
Frequency of
response
99,850
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18APN1
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
8
13,313
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Number of
respondents
Type of respondent
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
State/Local/Tribal Government ........................................................................
99,850
1
3
4,993
Totals ........................................................................................................
199,700
........................
........................
18,306
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
SSA–1372–BK:
Number of
respondents
Type of respondent
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
Individuals/Households ....................................................................................
State/Local/Tribal Government ........................................................................
1,198
1,198
1
1
8
3
160
60
Totals ........................................................................................................
2,396
........................
........................
220
Grand Total .......................................................................................
200,096
........................
........................
18,526
4. Request for Review of Hearing
Decision/Order—20 CFR 404.967–
404.981, 416.1467–416.1481—0960–
0277. Claimants have a statutory right
under the Social Security Act and
current regulations to request review of
an ALJ’s hearing decision or dismissal
of a hearing request on Title II and Title
XVI claims. Claimants may request
Appeals Council review by filing a
written request using Form HA–520.
SSA uses the information to establish
the claimant filed the request for review
within the prescribed time and to
ensure the claimant completed the
requisite steps permitting the Appeals
Council review. The Appeals Council
uses the information to: (1) Document
the claimant’s reason(s) for disagreeing
with the ALJ’s decision or dismissal; (2)
determine whether the claimant has
additional evidence to submit; and (3)
determine whether the claimant has a
representative or wants to appoint one.
The respondents are claimants
requesting review of an ALJ’s decision
or dismissal of hearing.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Modality of completion
Number of
respondents
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
HA–520 ............................................................................................................
175,000
1
10
29,167
5. Disability Update Report—20 CFR
404.1589–404.1595 and 416.988–
416.996—0960–0511. As part of our
statutory requirements, SSA
periodically uses Form SSA–455, the
Disability Update Report, to evaluate
current Title II disability beneficiaries’
and Title XVI disability payment
recipients’ continued eligibility for
Social Security disability payments.
Specifically, SSA uses the form to
determine if: (1) There is enough
evidence to warrant referring the
respondent for a full medical
Continuing Disability Review (CDR); (2)
the respondent’s impairments are still
present and indicative of no medical
improvement, precluding the need for a
CDR; or (3) the respondent has
unresolved work-related issues. SSA
mails Form SSA–455 to specific
disability recipients, whom we select as
possibly qualifying for the CDR process.
SSA pre-fills the form with data specific
to the disability recipient, except for the
sections we ask the recipients to
complete. When SSA receives the
completed form, we scan it into SSA’s
system. This allows us to gather the
information electronically, and enables
SSA to process the returned forms
through automated decision logic to
decide the proper course of action to
take. The respondents are recipients of
Title II and Title XVI Social Security
disability payments.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of
respondents
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
SSA–455 ..........................................................................................................
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Modality of completion
1,500,000
1
15
375,000
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16:55 Apr 17, 2017
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18340
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 73 / Tuesday, April 18, 2017 / Notices
Dated: April 13, 2017.
Naomi R. Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017–07796 Filed 4–17–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191–02–P
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[Docket No. FD 36105]
Genesee & Wyoming Inc.—Acquisition
of Control Exemption—Atlantic
Western Transportation, Inc. and Heart
of Georgia Railroad, Inc.
On February 27, 2017, Genesee &
Wyoming Inc. (GWI), a noncarrier
holding company, filed a petition under
49 U.S.C. 10502 and 49 CFR part 1121
for exemption from the provisions of 49
U.S.C. 11323–24 to allow GWI to
acquire control of Atlantic Western
Transportation, Inc. (AWT), a noncarrier
holding company, and indirect control
of AWT’s wholly owned subsidiary
Heart of Georgia Railroad, Inc. (HOG), a
Class III railroad. The Board will grant
GWI’s petition for exemption, subject to
standard labor protective conditions.
Background
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
GWI is a publicly traded noncarrier
holding company that currently
controls, through direct or indirect
equity ownership, two Class II carriers
and 107 Class III carriers operating in
the United States. (Pet. 1.) HOG is a
Class III carrier based in Americus, Ga.,
that leases from the Georgia Department
of Transportation (Georgia DOT) and
operates approximately 221 miles of rail
lines in Georgia and Alabama. (Id. at 2.)
GWI states that it seeks to acquire
control of HOG through the acquisition
of the stock of AWT, the noncarrier
parent company of HOG.1 (Id.) Upon
consummation, GWI would acquire
direct control of AWT, and, because
HOG is a wholly owned subsidiary of
AWT, GWI would acquire indirect
control of HOG. (Id.) HOG connects
with several railroads, including two
GWI subsidiaries: Georgia Southwestern
Railroad, Inc. (GSWR) and Georgia
Central Railway, L.P. (GC). (Id. at 3.)
GWI states that, although there are some
commonly served cities where the
railroads connect, there are no
1 GWI states that it and the individual
shareholders of AWT have entered into a Stock
Purchase Agreement dated February 7, 2017. (Pet.
2.) GWI further states that it expects to consummate
the transaction after all of the closing conditions
have been satisfied as set forth in the Stock
Purchase Agreement, including the grant of this
exemption from the Board, and that it hopes to
consummate the transaction in the second fiscal
quarter of 2017. (Id. at 5.)
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:55 Apr 17, 2017
Jkt 241001
customers that are served by GSWR or
GC, on the one hand, and HOG, on the
other, and that as such there would be
no ‘‘2-to-1 customers’’ as a result of the
proposed transaction. (Id.) GWI further
states that the joint line movements
(which already currently exist) between
HOG and the GWI-affiliated railroads
would not be used to foreclose vertical
competition over efficient joint line
routes with unaffiliated carriers. (Id.)
GWI states that it does not
contemplate any material changes to
HOG’s operations, maintenance, or
service, and that HOG would continue
to operate as a separate railroad, though
HOG’s senior managers would report to
a senior vice president of Genesee &
Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc., an
affiliate of GWI. (Id. at 3, 4.) GWI states
that no shippers would lose access to
direct or indirect Class I connections,
nor to any short line connections, or
lose any service options. (Id.) GWI states
that, as a result of this proposed
transaction, HOG and its shippers
would benefit from greater coordination
and efficiencies, enhanced financial
resources, more robust management
support for operations and safety, and a
broader set of relationships with
national customers. (Id. at 4.) Georgia
DOT does not oppose the transaction
and asks the Board to review and
approve the transaction expeditiously.
(Id. at Ex. D.) No shippers have filed
comments.
Discussion and Conclusions
The acquisition of control of a rail
carrier by a person that is not a rail
carrier but that controls any number of
rail carriers requires approval by the
Board pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 11323(a)(5).
Under section 10502(a), however, the
Board must exempt a transaction or
service from regulation if it finds that:
(1) Regulation is not necessary to carry
out the rail transportation policy (RTP)
of 49 U.S.C. 10101; and (2) either the
transaction or service is limited in
scope, or regulation is not needed to
protect shippers from the abuse of
market power.
In this case, an exemption from the
prior approval requirements of sections
11323–24 is consistent with the
standards of section 10502. Detailed
scrutiny of the proposed transaction
through an application for review and
approval under sections 11323–24 is not
necessary here to carry out the RTP.
Approval of the transaction would
result in a change in ownership of AWT
and control of HOG with no lessening
of competition. An exemption would
promote the RTP by: Minimizing the
need for federal regulatory control over
the transaction, section 10101(2);
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Sfmt 4703
ensuring the development and
continuation of a sound rail
transportation system that would
continue to meet the needs of the
public, section 10101(4); fostering
sound economic conditions in
transportation, section 10101(5);
reducing regulatory barriers to entry,
section 10101(7); encouraging efficient
management, section 10101(9); and
providing for the expeditious resolution
of this proceeding, section 10101(15).
Other aspects of the RTP would not be
adversely affected.
Nor is detailed scrutiny of the
proposed transaction necessary to
protect shippers from an abuse of
market power. According to GWI, no
shipper would lose any rail options, and
operations would not materially change.
(Pet. 9.) Although HOG connects with
two GWI-owned carriers (GSWR and
GC), GWI states that there would be no
2-to-1 shippers as a result of the
acquisition. (Id. at 10.) In addition, GWI
states that HOG also connects directly
with two Class I carriers (CSX
Transportation, Inc. and Norfolk
Southern Railway Company). (Id.) The
Board will hold GWI to its statement
that existing joint line movements
between HOG and the GWI-affiliated
railroads would not be used to foreclose
vertical competition over efficient joint
line routes with unaffiliated carriers.
(See id. at 3.) Accordingly, based on the
record, the Board finds that this
transaction does not shift or consolidate
market power; therefore, regulation is
not necessary to protect shippers from
the abuse of market power.2
Labor Conditions
Under 49 U.S.C. 10502(g), the Board
may not use its exemption authority to
relieve a rail carrier of its statutory
obligation to protect the interests of its
employees. Because GWI currently
controls two Class II carriers 3 and
numerous Class III carriers, any
employees adversely affected by this
transaction will be protected by the
conditions set forth in New York Dock
Railway—Control—Brooklyn Eastern
District Terminal (New York Dock), 360
I.C.C. 60 (1979). See 49 U.S.C. 11326(a).
GWI, acknowledging that New York
Dock applies, seeks Board confirmation
that neither GWI nor HOG need to
commence negotiations or consummate
implementing agreements prior to the
2 As there is no evidence that regulation is needed
to protect shippers from the abuse of market power,
we do not need to determine whether the
transaction is limited in scope. See 49 U.S.C.
10502(a).
3 Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc. and Rapid
City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad, Inc. (Pet., Ex. A at
1.)
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 73 (Tuesday, April 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18335-18340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07796]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA-2017-0019]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and
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,
Fax: 202-395-6974, Email address: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov.
(SSA), Social Security Administration, OLCA, Attn: Reports
Clearance Director, 3100 West High Rise, 6401 Security Blvd.,
Baltimore, MD 21235, Fax: 410-966-2830, Email address:
OR.Reports.Clearance@ssa.gov. Or you may submit your comments online
through www.regulations.gov, referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-2017-
0019].
I. The information collections below are pending at SSA. SSA will
submit them to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. To be
sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than June
19, 2017. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instruments
by writing to the above email address.
1. Promoting Opportunity Demonstration--0960-NEW. Section 823 of
the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 requires SSA to carry out the
Promoting Opportunity Demonstration (POD) to test a new benefit offset
formula for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries.
Therefore, SSA is undertaking POD, a demonstration to evaluate the
affect the new policy will have on SSDI beneficiaries and their
families in several critical areas: (1) Employment, (2) benefits, (3)
earnings, and (4) income (earnings plus benefits). Under current law,
Social Security beneficiaries lose their SSDI benefit if they have
earnings or work activity above the threshold of Substantial Gainful
Activity (SGA). The POD evaluation will draw on previous lessons from
related work incentive experiences, especially SSA's Benefit Offset
National Demonstration (BOND), 0960-0785, which tested a different
offset formula. POD tests a different policy than BOND in two important
ways: (1) A lower threshold at which point the offset is applied--
increasing the likelihood of reducing benefit expenditures relative to
current law expenditures; and (2) A more immediate adjustment to the
benefits--to increase the salience and clarity of the offset policy for
beneficiaries. The POD will test a benefit offset that will reduce
benefits by $1 for every $2 in participants' earnings above the POD
threshold, gradually reducing benefits as earnings increase. The POD
threshold will equal the greater of (1) an inflation-adjusted trial
work period level ($840 in 2017); or (2) the amount of the
participant's itemized impairment-related work expenses up to SGA. The
new rules we will test in POD also simplify work incentives and we
intend them to promote employment and reduce dependency on benefits.
The design for POD will include implementation and evaluation
activities designed to answer seven central research questions:
What are the impacts of the two POD benefit designs on
beneficiaries' earnings, SSDI benefits, and total earnings and benefit
income?
Is POD attractive to beneficiaries? Do they remain engaged
over time?
How were the POD offset policies implemented, and what
operational,
[[Page 18336]]
systemic, or contextual factors facilitated or posed challenges to
administering the offset?
How successful were POD and SSA in making timely benefit
adjustments, and what factors affected timeliness positively or
negatively?
How do the impacts of the POD offset policies vary with
beneficiary characteristics?
What are the costs and benefits of the POD benefit designs
relative to current law, and what are the implications for the SSDI
trust fund?
What are the implications of the POD findings for national
policy proposals that would include a SSDI benefit offset?
The public survey data collections have four components--a process
analysis, a participation analysis, an impact analysis, and a cost-
benefit analysis. The data collections are the primary source for data
to measure the effects the benefit offset on SSDI beneficiaries' work
efforts and earnings. Ultimately, these data will benefit researchers,
policy analysts, policy makers, SSA, and the state vocational
rehabilitation agencies in a wide range of program areas. There are
four targeted outcomes for SSDI beneficiaries under POD: (1) Increased
employment and earnings; (2) decreased benefits payments; (3) increased
total income; and (4) impacts on other related outcomes (for example,
health status and quality of life).
Additionally, four outcomes of interest for system changes
include: (1) Reduction in overpayments; (2) enhanced program integrity;
(3) stronger culture of self-sufficiency; and (4) improved SSDI trust
fund balance. Respondents are SSDI beneficiaries, who will provide
written consent before agreeing to participate in the study and before
we randomly assign them to one of the study treatment groups.
Type of Request: Request for a new information collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of Number of per response total annual
respondents response responses (minutes) burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Informed Consent Form........... 16,500 1 16,500 15 4,125
Baseline Survey................. 16,500 1 16,500 20 5,500
12-Month Follow Up Survey....... 6,000 1 6,000 30 3,000
24-Month Follow Up Survey....... 12,000 1 12,000 30 6,000
Interviews with Site Staff...... 40 4 160 66 176
Onsite Audit of Sample of Case 8 2 16 20 5
Files..........................
Semi-Structured Interviews with 144 1 144 60 144
Treatment Group Subjects.......
Monthly Earnings and Impairment- 1,820 12 21,840 10 3,640
Related Expenses Reporting Form
(paper)........................
Monthly Earnings and Impairment- 780 12 9,360 5 780
Related Expenses Reporting Form
(Internet).....................
End of Year Reporting Form 945 1 945 15 236
(paper)........................
End of Year Reporting Form 405 1 405 10 68
(Internet).....................
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Totals...................... 55,142 .............. 83,870 .............. 23,674
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Statement Regarding Contributions--20 CFR 404.360-404.366 and
404.736--0960-0020. SSA uses the SSA-783 to collect information
regarding a child's current sources of support when determining the
child's entitlement to Social Security benefits. We request this
information from adults acting on behalf of the child claimants who can
provide SSA with any sources of support or substantial contributions
for the child. These adults inform the claims representative of these
sources as part of the initial benefits process. If the individual
capable of providing the information does not accompany the child
claimant, we mail the SSA-783 to the individual for completion; or if
the person has access to a computer, we will refer them to SSA's Web
site. The respondents are individuals providing information about a
child's sources of support.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated total
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden
respondents response (minutes) (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-783..................................... 30,000 1 17 8,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Disability Report--Appeal--20 CFR 404.1512, 416.912, 404.916(c),
416.1416(c), 422.140, 404.1713, 416.1513, 404.1740(b)(4),
416.1540(b)(4), and 405 Subpart C--0960-0144. SSA requires disability
applicants who wish to appeal an unfavorable disability determination
to complete Form SSA-3441-BK; the associated Electronic Disability
Collect System (EDCS) interview; or the Internet application, i3441.
This allows claimants to disclose any changes to their disability, or
resources, which might influence SSA's unfavorable determination. We
may use the information to: (1) Reconsider and review an initial
disability determination; (2) review a continuing disability; and (3)
evaluate a request for a hearing. This information assists the State
Disability Determination Services (DDS) and administrative law judges
(ALJ) in preparing for the appeals and hearings, and in issuing a
determination or decision on an individual's entitlement (initial or
continuing) to disability benefits. In addition, the information we
collect on the SSA-3441-BK, or related modalities, facilitates SSA's
collection of medical information to support the applicant's request
for reconsideration; request for benefits cessation appeal; and request
for a hearing before an ALJ. Respondents are individuals who appeal
denial, reduction, or cessation of Social Security disability benefits
and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
[[Page 18337]]
payments; individuals who wish to request a hearing before an ALJ; or
their representatives.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-3441-BK..................................... 2,396 1 45 1,797
Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS)..... 476,771 1 45 357,578
i3441 (Internet)................................ 1,046,938 1 28 488,571
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Totals...................................... 1,526,105 .............. .............. 847,946
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Authorization to Disclose Information to SSA--20 CFR 404.1512
and 416.912, 45 CFR 160 and 164--0960-0623. Sections 223(d)(5)(A) and
1614(a)(3)(H)(i) of the Social Security Act require claimants to
provide medical and other evidence the Commissioner of Social Security
may require to prove they are disabled. SSA must obtain sufficient
evidence to make eligibility determinations for Title II and Title XVI
payments. Therefore, the applicant must authorize release of
information from various sources to SSA. The applicants use Form SSA-
827, or the Internet counterpart, i827, to provide consent for the
release of medical records, education records, and other information
related to their ability to perform tasks. Once the applicant completes
Form SSA-827, or the i827, SSA or the State DDS sends the form to the
designated source(s) to obtain pertinent records. The respondents are
applicants for Title II and Title XVI disability payments.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i827 with electronic signature (eAuthorization). 4,189,270 1 9 628,391
SSA-827 with wet signature (paper version)...... 1,055,807 1 10 175,968
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Totals...................................... 5,245,077 .............. .............. 804,359
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. SSA submitted the information collections below to OMB for
clearance. Your comments regarding these information collections would
be most useful if OMB and SSA receive them 30 days from the date of
this publication. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive
them no later than May 18, 2017. Individuals can obtain copies of the
OMB clearance packages by writing to OR.Reports.Clearance@ssa.gov.
1. Supported Employment Demonstration (SED)--0960-NEW. Sponsored by
SSA, the SED builds on the success of the intervention designed for the
Mental Health Treatment Study (MHTS) previously funded by SSA. The MHTS
provides integrated mental health and vocational services to disability
beneficiaries with mental illness. The SED will offer these same
services to individuals with mental illness to whom SSA denied Social
Security disability benefits. SSA seeks to determine whether offering
this evidence-based package of integrated vocational and mental health
services to denied disability applicants fosters employment that leads
to self-sufficiency, improved mental health and quality of life, and
reduced demand for disability benefits. The SED will use a randomized
controlled trial to compare the outcomes of two treatment groups and a
control group. Study participation spans 36 months beginning on the day
following the date of randomization to one of the three study groups.
The SED study population consists of individuals aged 18 to 50 who
apply for disability benefits alleging a mental illness and the initial
decision is a denial of benefits in the past 60 days. The SED will
enroll up to 1,000 participants in each of the three study arms for a
total of 3,000 participants: 40 participants in each of three study
arms for the 20 urban sites equaling an n of 2,400 urban site
participants, and 20 participants in each of three arms for the 10
rural sites equaling an n of 600 rural site participants. We randomly
select and assign each enrolled participant to one of three study arms:
Full-Service Treatment (n=1,000). The multi-component
service model from the MHTS comprises the Full-Service Treatment. At
its core are an Individual Placement and Support (IPS) supported
employment specialist and behavioral health specialist providing IPS
supported employment services integrated with behavioral health care.
Participants in the full-service treatment group will also receive the
services of a Nurse Care Coordinator who coordinates Systematic
Medication Management services, as well assistance with: Out-of-pocket
expenses associated with prescription behavioral health medications;
work-related expenses; and services and treatment not covered by the
participant's health insurance.
Basic-Service Treatment (n=1,000). The Basic-Service
Treatment model leaves intact IPS supported employment integrated with
behavioral health services as the centerpiece of the intervention arm.
The Basic-Service Treatment is essentially the Full-Service model
without the services of the Nurse Care Coordinator, Systematic
Medication Management, and the funds associated with out-of-pocket
expenses for prescription behavioral health medications.
Usual Services (n=1,000). This study arm represents a
control group against which the two treatment groups we can compare.
Participants assigned to this group seek services as they normally
would (or would not) in their community. However, at the time of
randomization, each Usual Service participant will receive a
[[Page 18338]]
comprehensive manual describing mental health and vocational services
in their locale, along with state and national resources.
This study will test the two treatment conditions against each other
and against the control group on multiple outcomes of policy interest
to SSA. The key outcomes of interest include: (1) Employment; (2)
earnings; (3) income; (4) mental status; (5) quality of life; (6)
health services utilization; and (7) SSA disability benefit receipt and
amount. SSA is also interested in the study take up rate
(participation), knowing who enrolls (and who does not), and fidelity
to evidence-based treatments, among other aspects of implementation.
Data collection for the evaluation of the SED will consist of the
following activities: Baseline in-person participant interviews;
quarterly participant telephone interviews; receipt of SSA
administrative record data; and collection of site-level program data.
Evaluation team members will also conduct site visits involving: (1)
Pre-visit environmental scans in order to understand the local context
in which SED services are embedded; (2) independent fidelity
assessments in conjunction with those carried out by state Mental
Health/Vocational Rehabilitation staff; (3) key informant interviews
with the IPS specialist, the nurse care coordinator, the case manager,
and facility director; (4) focus groups with participants in the Full-
Service and Basic-Service Treatment groups; and (5) ethnographic data
collection consisting of observations in the natural environment and
person-centered interviews with participants and non-participants. The
respondents are study participants and non-participants, family
members, IPS specialists, nurse care coordinators, case managers, and
facility directors.
Type of Request: Request for a new information collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of Number of per response total annual
respondents response responses (minutes) burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Competency and CIDI Screener.... 3,000 1 3,000 40 2,000
Baseline Interview.............. 3,000 1 3,000 45 2,250
Quarterly Interview (Quarters 1, 3,000 9 27,000 20 9,000
2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11)..
Annual Interview (Quarters 4, 8, 3,000 3 9,000 30 4,500
and 11)........................
Fidelity Assessment Participant 180 4 720 60 720
Interview......................
Fidelity Assessment Family 90 4 360 60 360
Member Interview...............
Key Informant Interview......... 120 4 480 60 480
Participant Focus Groups........ 600 2 1,200 60 1,200
Person-Centered Interview....... 180 4 720 60 720
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Totals...................... 13,170 .............. 45,480 .............. 21,230
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Student Reporting Form--20 CFR 404.352(b)(2); 404.367; 404.368;
404.415; 404.434; 422.135--0960-0088. To qualify for Social Security
Title II student benefits, student beneficiaries must be in full-time
attendance status at an educational institution. In addition, SSA
requires these beneficiaries to report events that may cause a
reduction, termination, or suspension of their benefits. SSA collects
such information on Forms SSA-1383 and SSA-1383-FC to determine if the
changes or events the student beneficiaries report will affect their
continuing entitlement to SSA benefits. SSA also uses the SSA-1383 and
SSA-1383-FC to calculate the correct benefit amounts for student
beneficiaries. The respondents are Social Security Title II student
beneficiaries.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-1383.......................... 74,887 1 6 7,489
SSA-1383-FC....................... 1,247 1 6 125
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................ 76,134 .............. .............. 7,614
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Advanced Notice of Termination of Child's Benefits & Student's
Statement Regarding School Attendance--20 CFR 404.350-404.352, 404.367-
404.368--0960-0105. SSA collects information on Forms SSA-1372-BK and
SSA-1372-BK-FC to determine whether children of an insured worked meet
the eligibility requirements for student benefits. The data we collect
allows SSA to determine student entitlement and whether to terminate
benefits. The respondents are student claimants for Social Security
benefits, their respective schools and, in some cases, their
representative payees.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
SSA-1372-BK:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated
Type of respondent Number of Frequency of per response total annual
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individuals/Households............ 99,850 1 8 13,313
[[Page 18339]]
State/Local/Tribal Government..... 99,850 1 3 4,993
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................ 199,700 .............. .............. 18,306
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-1372-BK:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated
Type of respondent Number of Frequency of per response total annual
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individuals/Households............ 1,198 1 8 160
State/Local/Tribal Government..... 1,198 1 3 60
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................ 2,396 .............. .............. 220
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Total............... 200,096 .............. .............. 18,526
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order--20 CFR 404.967-
404.981, 416.1467-416.1481--0960-0277. Claimants have a statutory right
under the Social Security Act and current regulations to request review
of an ALJ's hearing decision or dismissal of a hearing request on Title
II and Title XVI claims. Claimants may request Appeals Council review
by filing a written request using Form HA-520. SSA uses the information
to establish the claimant filed the request for review within the
prescribed time and to ensure the claimant completed the requisite
steps permitting the Appeals Council review. The Appeals Council uses
the information to: (1) Document the claimant's reason(s) for
disagreeing with the ALJ's decision or dismissal; (2) determine whether
the claimant has additional evidence to submit; and (3) determine
whether the claimant has a representative or wants to appoint one. The
respondents are claimants requesting review of an ALJ's decision or
dismissal of hearing.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated total
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden
respondents response (minutes) (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HA-520...................................... 175,000 1 10 29,167
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Disability Update Report--20 CFR 404.1589-404.1595 and 416.988-
416.996--0960-0511. As part of our statutory requirements, SSA
periodically uses Form SSA-455, the Disability Update Report, to
evaluate current Title II disability beneficiaries' and Title XVI
disability payment recipients' continued eligibility for Social
Security disability payments. Specifically, SSA uses the form to
determine if: (1) There is enough evidence to warrant referring the
respondent for a full medical Continuing Disability Review (CDR); (2)
the respondent's impairments are still present and indicative of no
medical improvement, precluding the need for a CDR; or (3) the
respondent has unresolved work-related issues. SSA mails Form SSA-455
to specific disability recipients, whom we select as possibly
qualifying for the CDR process. SSA pre-fills the form with data
specific to the disability recipient, except for the sections we ask
the recipients to complete. When SSA receives the completed form, we
scan it into SSA's system. This allows us to gather the information
electronically, and enables SSA to process the returned forms through
automated decision logic to decide the proper course of action to take.
The respondents are recipients of Title II and Title XVI Social
Security disability payments.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average burden Estimated total
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden
respondents response (minutes) (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-455..................................... 1,500,000 1 15 375,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 18340]]
Dated: April 13, 2017.
Naomi R. Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-07796 Filed 4-17-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P
