Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request, 18453-18456 [2022-06734]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 61 / Wednesday, March 30, 2022 / Notices
Electronic Comments
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
• Use the Commission’s internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
DTC–2021–017 on the subject line.
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 100 F Street NE,
Washington, DC 20549–1090.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–DTC–2021–017. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if email is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will
post all comments on the Commission’s
internet website (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
submission, all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the Proposed Rule
Change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
Proposed Rule Change between the
Commission and any person, other than
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for website viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,
Washington, DC 20549 on official
business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of DTC and on DTCC’s website
(https://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rulefilings.aspx). All comments received
will be posted without change. Persons
submitting comments are cautioned that
we do not redact or edit personal
identifying information from comment
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–DTC–
2021–017 and should be submitted on
or before April 20, 2022. Rebuttal
comments should be submitted by May
4, 2022.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.18
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–06513 Filed 3–29–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
CFR 200.30–3(a)(31).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:14 Mar 29, 2022
Small Business Administration.
Notice of open Federal Advisory
committee meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The SBA is issuing this notice
to announce the date, time and agenda
for a meeting of the National Small
Business Development Center Advisory
Board. The meeting will be open to the
public; however, advance notice of
attendance is required.
DATES: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 2 p.m.
EST.
ADDRESSES: Meeting will be held via
Microsoft Teams.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rachel Karton, Office of Small Business
Development Centers, U.S. Small
Business Administration, 409 Third
Street SW, Washington, DC 20416;
Rachel.newman-karton@sba.gov; 202–
619–1816. If anyone wishes to be a
listening participant or would like to
request accommodations, please contact
Rachel Karton at the information above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
to section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2),
the SBA announces the meetings of the
National SBDC Advisory Board. This
Board provides advice and counsel to
the SBA Administrator and Associate
Administrator for Small Business
Development Centers.
Purpose: The purpose of the meeting
is to discuss the following issues
pertaining to the SBDC Program:
• SBA|OSBDC Leadership Transition
• Strategy for Increasing Board
Awareness and Understanding of the
SBDC Program
• Board Leadership Election
• ASBDC Conference
SUMMARY:
Paper Comments
18 17
National Small Business Development
Center Advisory Board
Jkt 256001
Andrienne Johnson,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022–06662 Filed 3–29–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA–2022–0014]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed 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
PO 00000
Frm 00104
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
18453
1, 1995. This notice includes one new,
and one revision 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
Comments: https://www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain. Submit your
comments online referencing Docket ID
Number [SSA–2022–0014].
(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 https://www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain, referencing Docket
ID Number [SSA–2022–0014].
I. The information collection below is
pending at SSA. SSA will submit it 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 May 31, 2022. Individuals can
obtain copies of the collection
instrument by writing to the above
email address.
1. Disability Perception Survey (DPS)—
0960—NEW
Background
The Social Security Administration’s
(SSA’s) Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI) program provides
crucial financial support to individuals
unable to work due to a medical
condition. Having access to and
understanding information about SSDI
among working adults is an important
factor in connecting people with
benefits. The purpose of the survey to is
understand the type of information
working adults currently have about the
SSDI program to improve projections of
disability applications and incidence.
SSA is requesting clearance to
administer the Disability Perception
Survey (DPS) to a sample of working age
adult SSDI program recipients, and
those who may qualify for this benefit,
to capture attitudes and perceptions
about SSDI among working-age adults in
the general population, and to
E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM
30MRN1
18454
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 61 / Wednesday, March 30, 2022 / Notices
determine what roles those factors
ultimately play in an individual’s
decision to apply to the program.
The DPS evaluation will consist of
two parts: (1) The DPS survey
administered to working-age adults (18
to 64 years of age) SSDI program
recipients, and those who may qualify
for SSDI benefits; and (2) links of the
survey data, including the individuals’
social security numbers, to individuals’
administrative records for research
purpose. SSA will use the data the DPS
collects to learn about the average
American SSDI adult recipient’s
knowledge and understanding of the
SSDI program and about who qualifies
for these benefits. Section 1110(a) of the
Social Security Act (Act) gives the
Commissioner of Social Security
authorization to help fund research or
demonstration projects relating to the
prevention and reduction of
dependency. SSA contracted with
NORC at the University of Chicago to
conduct the DPS data collection.
DPS Project Description
The DPS survey will focus on a series
of multiple-choice, open-ended, and
vignette-style questions across five topic
areas:
• General knowledge about the SSDI
program, including perspectives on the
causes of disability, eligibility
requirements, the likelihood of
receiving benefits, and the
documentation required to apply for the
program;
• Perceptions about the impact of
work-limiting impairments—including
how and to what degree people with
disabilities participate in the workforce,
their work outcomes, use of services,
barriers to work, and knowledge about
Social Security Administration (SSA)
programs designed to help beneficiaries
find and keep jobs;
• Thoughts about SSDI based on
personal experience or associations with
SSDI beneficiaries and others, the
likelihood of receiving benefits due to
changes in one’s personal health status,
the impact of reduced financial
Recruitment
NORC will sample respondents for
the study through NORC’s AmeriSpeak
sampling frame. AmeriSpeak uses a
multi-stage probability sample that fully
represents the U.S. household
population. NORC uses a two-stage
process for AmeriSpeak panel
recruitment:
• Initial recruitment: NORC will
invite panelists to participate in the DPS
by email and or SMS text, with an
invitation through the AmeriSpeak
member web portal, which alerts
panelist there is a survey available to
them. The participant will receive an
email with the survey URL which
allows them to log into AmeriSpeak.
NORC will also invite panelists who
previously indicated their preference for
responding to surveys by telephone. For
those who request a telephone survey,
NORC’s telephone interviewers will call
the respondent and ask them to
participate in the survey, if the
respondent wants to participate NORC
will conduct the survey.
• Non-response follow-ups: NORC
will sample a portion of non-responders
and follow-up with a face-to face
recruitment of the sampled nonresponders. Non-response follow-up
reduces non-response bias significantly
by improving the representativeness of
the AmeriSpeak Panel with respect to
certain hard-to-reach segments of the
population underrepresented by
recruitment relying only on mail and
telephone.
Eligibility criteria include those ages
18–64 years old who understand
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
resources, and factors considered when
deciding whether to apply for SSDI;
• Opinions and reactions to how
impairments described in brief vignettes
of work-limiting and disabling
experiences may affect current or future
employment; and
• The impact of the COVID–19
pandemic on employment or
participation in SSDI or other safety net
programs.
The DPS is targeting 5,011 completed
interviews among 18–64 year old adults
across the U.S. population.
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
English or Spanish, and who have the
ability to provide informed consent as
well as a Social Security Number.
Participants in the DPS will receive
the Informed Consent as part of the first
screens of the survey. If NORC conducts
the survey by telephone, the interviewer
will review the main points on the
consent with the participant. The
Informed Consent, whether online or
read by the interviewer, will include:
• The purpose of the survey and the
primary topics addressed in the survey
questions;
• The information that the
respondents may withdraw at any time;
• The voluntary nature of the study;
• A statement that the information
collected is completely confidential and
will not be used by SSA for the
purposes of determining eligibility for
benefits, nor for purposes other than
research or program evaluation;
• The approximate time it will take to
complete the survey;
• The incentive amount for
participation, and how the respondent
will receive their incentive;
• Information on who to call if they
have questions about their rights as a
survey participants;
If the respondents give their informed
consent, but cannot provide their SSN,
the survey will end, and the respondent
will not continue further. Survey
participants will receive $20 as
reimbursement for completing the DPS.
Following the emailing of the survey
URL, NORC will follow up 10 times
over the course of a 32-week field
period to remind respondents to
complete the survey. NORC will send
the participants reminder scripts both
by email and text messages to complete
the survey. NORC will also send
reminders by mail, via a reminder letter
and postcard. The respondents are
working adults (age 18–64) SSDI
program recipients, and those who may
qualify for SSDI benefits for SSDI
benefits.
Type of Request: Request for a new
information collection.
Average
theoretical
hourly cost
amount
(dollars) *
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
Total annual
opportunity
cost
(dollars) **
DPS (Web version) ..................................
DPS (Phone version) ...............................
4259
752
1
1
17
17
1,207
213
* $10.95
* 10.95
** $13,217
** 2,332
Totals ................................................
5,011
........................
........................
1,420
........................
$15,549
* We based this figure on the average DI payments based on SSA’s current FY 2021 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2021FactSheet.pdf).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
respondents to complete the application.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:14 Mar 29, 2022
Jkt 256001
PO 00000
Frm 00105
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM
30MRN1
18455
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 61 / Wednesday, March 30, 2022 / Notices
2. COVID–19 Symptoms Screener for
In-Person Hearings, and VIPr Mobile
Application and Telephone Screener
for Office Visits—20 CFR 404.929,
404.933, 416.1429, 416.1433, 418.1350,
422.103–422.110, and 422.203–0960–
0824.
Background
During the recent COVID–19
pandemic, SSA conducted its services
almost exclusively online or by
telephone, to protect the health of both
the public and our employees. We took
these measures in accordance with
relevant Centers for Disease Control
COVID–19 pandemic guidance, and to
comply with existing Occupational
Safety and Health Act provisions
regarding workplace safety.
While in-person hearings have not
been available since March 2020,
claimants or their appointed
representatives who wished to appeal a
redetermination could choose to
participate in an online video hearing or
phone hearing instead. In addition, SSA
also restricted in-person field office
visits to limited appointments only,
with prioritization of requests for new
Social Security Number cards. During
this period, we used the initial version
of the CDC-suggested COVID–19
screening symptoms questionnaire with
people who had these limited field
office appointments.
We made the questionnaire available
for in-office visits via telephone or SSA
mobile application (VIPr App). We
required satisfactory answers to the
screening questions, i.e., demonstrating
that field office visitors did not
demonstrate symptoms of COVID–19
and had not been exposed to someone
with COVID–19, for the appointment to
proceed. If the individuals answered yes
to any of the COVID screening
questions, we offered them the option of
completing their interview via video
teleconferencing or using our online
options, or we offered to reschedule
their in-person interview for a later date.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Modality of
completion
Number of
respondents
COVID Screener Questionnaire ..............
VIPr Mobile App
Telephone
Screener .......
VerDate Sep<11>2014
We are resuming in-person hearings
and field office visits on a limitedcapacity basis. Initially, we plan to keep
the number of in-person hearings to an
average of three separate hearings per
hearings office per day, to ensure the
continued health and safety of the
public and SSA employees. We also
plan to keep the number of in-person
field office visits to a limited number,
based on the capacity of each field
office, but hope to also allow for walkins, as we expand our plans for reentry.
We may revise the number of in-person
hearings per hearing office or reassess
our capacity per field office for inperson visits, over the course of reentry;
therefore, our information for the public
and the unions make it clear that the
screener questions are subject to
revision as workplace safety guidance
changes.
Information Collection Description
Because of COVID–19 health and
safety considerations, we plan to
continue requiring all members of the
public entering an SSA field office for
a visit, or a hearing office to participate
in an in-person hearing, to complete a
brief screener questionnaire designed to
identify COVID–19 symptoms.
For individuals visiting a hearings
office, we may provide a link to the
screener questionnaire in the mailed
notice of scheduled hearings. People
participating in a hearing can complete
and submit the questionnaire online
within 24 hours before the start of the
hearing. If hearings participants do not
wish to use the internet, they can call
the hearings office where the hearing is
scheduled and complete the
questionnaire over the phone.
Similarly, we may give field office
visitors the option of completing the
screener questionnaire through SSA’s
mobile application, VIPr, prior to
entering the building. We also have a
poster in our field office windows
visible from the outside instructing
visitors about the need to complete the
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated total
annual burden
(hours)
screening questionnaire and about our
masking policies. We will continue to
request satisfactory completion of the
screener in advance of entering the
building as a prerequisite for entering
the field office.
SSA’s screener questionnaire asks
questions relating to personal
experience of any COVID symptoms;
exposure to someone diagnosed with
COVID; or travel by means other than
land travel, such as car, bus, ferry, or
train. SSA uses the screener responses
to determine if the participant is
‘‘cleared’’ or ‘‘not cleared’’ to enter an
SSA field or hearing office. If
participants answer ‘‘no’’ to all
questions, they are ‘‘cleared’’ to
participate. If they answer ‘‘yes’’ to any
part of the screener, they will be
considered ‘‘not cleared.’’ Individuals
who are not cleared may request SSA to
provide an alternative service method or
reschedule their visit.
Alternatives To Completing the
Information Collection
Although we will continue to require
completion of the screener
questionnaire any in-person hearing or
field office visit, we do not require this
screener questionnaire for other
modalities of appeals hearings, or field
office services. One may choose an
online video hearing or telephone
hearing as an alternative to an in-person
hearing, just as we also have online and
telephone services for field office
transactions. Claimants may obtain
Social Security payments regardless of
the hearing method they choose, and
field office visitors may submit their
documentation using our internet
services, telephone requests, or by
mailing their documentation to SSA.
The respondents are beneficiaries or
applicants requesting an in-person
hearing, or members of the public
entering a field office.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Average
theoretical
hourly cost
amount
(dollars) *
Average wait
time in office
or for
teleservice
centers
(minutes) **
Total annual
opportunity
cost
(dollars) ****
359,160
16,554
1
1
10
5
59,860
1,380
* $19.01
* 27.07
** 10
*** 21
**** $2,275,877
**** 194,200
661,554
1
10
110,259
* 27.07
*** 21
**** 9,252,607
17:14 Mar 29, 2022
Jkt 256001
PO 00000
Frm 00106
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM
30MRN1
18456
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 61 / Wednesday, March 30, 2022 / Notices
Modality of
completion
Number of
respondents
Totals ........
1,037,268
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
........................
........................
Estimated total
annual burden
(hours)
171,499
Average
theoretical
hourly cost
amount
(dollars) *
Average wait
time in office
or for
teleservice
centers
(minutes) **
........................
........................
Total annual
opportunity
cost
(dollars) ****
**** 11,722,684
* We based the Covid Screener Questionnaire figure on averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA’s current FY 2021 data
(https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2021FactSheet.pdf), and the average U.S. worker’s hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data
(https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm). We based the VIPr Mobile App and Telephone Screener on the average U.S. worker’s hourly
wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2022 wait times for hearing offices, based on SSA’s current management information data.
*** We based this figure on the average FY 2022 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, based on SSA’s current management information data.
**** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application;
rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual
charge to respondents to complete the application.
Dated: March 25, 2022.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022–06734 Filed 3–29–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191–02–P
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA–2022–0015]
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
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Modality of completion
Number of
respondents
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,
Comments: https://www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain. Submit your
comments online referencing Docket ID
Number [SSA–2022–0015].
(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 https://www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain, referencing Docket
ID Number [SSA–2022–0015].
I. The information collections below
are pending at SSA. SSA will submit
them to OMB within 60 days from the
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Frequency of
response
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
date of this notice. To be sure we
consider your comments, we must
receive them no later than May 31,
2022. Individuals can obtain copies of
the collection instruments by writing to
the above email address.
1. Application for Widow’s or
Widower’s Insurance Benefits—20 CFR
404.335–404.338, & 404.603—0960–
0004. Section 2029(e) and 202(f) of the
Social Security Act (Act) set forth the
requirements for entitlement to
widow(er)’s benefits, including the
requirements to file an application. For
SSA to make a formal determination for
entitlement to widow(er)’s benefits, we
use Form SSA–10 to determine whether
an applicant meets the statutory and
regulatory conditions for entitlement to
widow(er)’s Title II benefits. SSA
employees interview individuals
applying for benefits either face-to-face
or via telephone, and enter the
information on the paper form or into
the Modernized Claims System (MCS).
The respondents are applicants for
widow(er)’s benefits.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Average
theoretical
hourly cost
amount
(dollars) *
Average wait
time in field
office or
teleservice
centers
(minutes) **
Total annual
opportunity
cost
(dollars) ***
SSA–10 (Paper) ...........
SSA–10 (MCS) ............
2,116
570,540
1
1
30
30
1,058
285,270
* $27.07
* 27.07
........................
** 21
*** $28,640
*** 13,127,840
Totals ....................
572,656
........................
........................
286,328
........................
........................
*** 13,156,480
* We based this figure on the average U.S. worker’s hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000).
** We based this figure by averaging the average FY 2022 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, based on SSA’s current management information data.
*** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application;
rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual
charge to respondents to complete the application.
2. Request to be Selected as a Payee—
20 CFR 404.2010–404.2055, and
416.601–416.665—0960–0014. SSA
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:14 Mar 29, 2022
Jkt 256001
requires an individual applying to be a
representative payee for a Social
Security beneficiary or Supplemental
PO 00000
Frm 00107
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Security Income (SSI) recipient to
complete Form SSA–11–BK, or supply
the same information to a field office
E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM
30MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18453-18456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06734]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA-2022-0014]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed 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 one new, and one revision 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
Comments: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Submit your
comments online referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-2022-0014].
(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: [email protected].
Or you may submit your comments online through https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-
2022-0014].
I. The information collection below is pending at SSA. SSA will
submit it 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 May
31, 2022. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instrument by
writing to the above email address.
1. Disability Perception Survey (DPS)--0960--NEW
Background
The Social Security Administration's (SSA's) Social Security
Disability Insurance (SSDI) program provides crucial financial support
to individuals unable to work due to a medical condition. Having access
to and understanding information about SSDI among working adults is an
important factor in connecting people with benefits. The purpose of the
survey to is understand the type of information working adults
currently have about the SSDI program to improve projections of
disability applications and incidence.
SSA is requesting clearance to administer the Disability Perception
Survey (DPS) to a sample of working age adult SSDI program recipients,
and those who may qualify for this benefit, to capture attitudes and
perceptions about SSDI among working-age adults in the general
population, and to
[[Page 18454]]
determine what roles those factors ultimately play in an individual's
decision to apply to the program.
The DPS evaluation will consist of two parts: (1) The DPS survey
administered to working-age adults (18 to 64 years of age) SSDI program
recipients, and those who may qualify for SSDI benefits; and (2) links
of the survey data, including the individuals' social security numbers,
to individuals' administrative records for research purpose. SSA will
use the data the DPS collects to learn about the average American SSDI
adult recipient's knowledge and understanding of the SSDI program and
about who qualifies for these benefits. Section 1110(a) of the Social
Security Act (Act) gives the Commissioner of Social Security
authorization to help fund research or demonstration projects relating
to the prevention and reduction of dependency. SSA contracted with NORC
at the University of Chicago to conduct the DPS data collection.
DPS Project Description
The DPS survey will focus on a series of multiple-choice, open-
ended, and vignette-style questions across five topic areas:
General knowledge about the SSDI program, including
perspectives on the causes of disability, eligibility requirements, the
likelihood of receiving benefits, and the documentation required to
apply for the program;
Perceptions about the impact of work-limiting
impairments--including how and to what degree people with disabilities
participate in the workforce, their work outcomes, use of services,
barriers to work, and knowledge about Social Security Administration
(SSA) programs designed to help beneficiaries find and keep jobs;
Thoughts about SSDI based on personal experience or
associations with SSDI beneficiaries and others, the likelihood of
receiving benefits due to changes in one's personal health status, the
impact of reduced financial resources, and factors considered when
deciding whether to apply for SSDI;
Opinions and reactions to how impairments described in
brief vignettes of work-limiting and disabling experiences may affect
current or future employment; and
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment or
participation in SSDI or other safety net programs.
The DPS is targeting 5,011 completed interviews among 18-64 year
old adults across the U.S. population.
Recruitment
NORC will sample respondents for the study through NORC's
AmeriSpeak sampling frame. AmeriSpeak uses a multi-stage probability
sample that fully represents the U.S. household population. NORC uses a
two-stage process for AmeriSpeak panel recruitment:
Initial recruitment: NORC will invite panelists to
participate in the DPS by email and or SMS text, with an invitation
through the AmeriSpeak member web portal, which alerts panelist there
is a survey available to them. The participant will receive an email
with the survey URL which allows them to log into AmeriSpeak. NORC will
also invite panelists who previously indicated their preference for
responding to surveys by telephone. For those who request a telephone
survey, NORC's telephone interviewers will call the respondent and ask
them to participate in the survey, if the respondent wants to
participate NORC will conduct the survey.
Non-response follow-ups: NORC will sample a portion of
non-responders and follow-up with a face-to face recruitment of the
sampled non-responders. Non-response follow-up reduces non-response
bias significantly by improving the representativeness of the
AmeriSpeak Panel with respect to certain hard-to-reach segments of the
population underrepresented by recruitment relying only on mail and
telephone.
Eligibility criteria include those ages 18-64 years old who
understand English or Spanish, and who have the ability to provide
informed consent as well as a Social Security Number.
Participants in the DPS will receive the Informed Consent as part
of the first screens of the survey. If NORC conducts the survey by
telephone, the interviewer will review the main points on the consent
with the participant. The Informed Consent, whether online or read by
the interviewer, will include:
The purpose of the survey and the primary topics addressed
in the survey questions;
The information that the respondents may withdraw at any
time;
The voluntary nature of the study;
A statement that the information collected is completely
confidential and will not be used by SSA for the purposes of
determining eligibility for benefits, nor for purposes other than
research or program evaluation;
The approximate time it will take to complete the survey;
The incentive amount for participation, and how the
respondent will receive their incentive;
Information on who to call if they have questions about
their rights as a survey participants;
If the respondents give their informed consent, but cannot provide
their SSN, the survey will end, and the respondent will not continue
further. Survey participants will receive $20 as reimbursement for
completing the DPS.
Following the emailing of the survey URL, NORC will follow up 10
times over the course of a 32-week field period to remind respondents
to complete the survey. NORC will send the participants reminder
scripts both by email and text messages to complete the survey. NORC
will also send reminders by mail, via a reminder letter and postcard.
The respondents are working adults (age 18-64) SSDI program recipients,
and those who may qualify for SSDI benefits for SSDI benefits.
Type of Request: Request for a new information collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost opportunity
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount cost (dollars)
(dollars) * **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPS (Web version)....................................... 4259 1 17 1,207 * $10.95 ** $13,217
DPS (Phone version)..................................... 752 1 17 213 * 10.95 ** 2,332
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................................. 5,011 .............. .............. 1,420 .............. $15,549
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2021 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2021FactSheet.pdf).
** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
respondents to complete the application.
[[Page 18455]]
2. COVID-19 Symptoms Screener for In-Person Hearings, and VIPr Mobile
Application and Telephone Screener for Office Visits--20 CFR 404.929,
404.933, 416.1429, 416.1433, 418.1350, 422.103-422.110, and 422.203-
0960-0824.
Background
During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, SSA conducted its services
almost exclusively online or by telephone, to protect the health of
both the public and our employees. We took these measures in accordance
with relevant Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 pandemic guidance,
and to comply with existing Occupational Safety and Health Act
provisions regarding workplace safety.
While in-person hearings have not been available since March 2020,
claimants or their appointed representatives who wished to appeal a
redetermination could choose to participate in an online video hearing
or phone hearing instead. In addition, SSA also restricted in-person
field office visits to limited appointments only, with prioritization
of requests for new Social Security Number cards. During this period,
we used the initial version of the CDC-suggested COVID-19 screening
symptoms questionnaire with people who had these limited field office
appointments.
We made the questionnaire available for in-office visits via
telephone or SSA mobile application (VIPr App). We required
satisfactory answers to the screening questions, i.e., demonstrating
that field office visitors did not demonstrate symptoms of COVID-19 and
had not been exposed to someone with COVID-19, for the appointment to
proceed. If the individuals answered yes to any of the COVID screening
questions, we offered them the option of completing their interview via
video teleconferencing or using our online options, or we offered to
reschedule their in-person interview for a later date.
We are resuming in-person hearings and field office visits on a
limited-capacity basis. Initially, we plan to keep the number of in-
person hearings to an average of three separate hearings per hearings
office per day, to ensure the continued health and safety of the public
and SSA employees. We also plan to keep the number of in-person field
office visits to a limited number, based on the capacity of each field
office, but hope to also allow for walk-ins, as we expand our plans for
reentry. We may revise the number of in-person hearings per hearing
office or reassess our capacity per field office for in-person visits,
over the course of reentry; therefore, our information for the public
and the unions make it clear that the screener questions are subject to
revision as workplace safety guidance changes.
Information Collection Description
Because of COVID-19 health and safety considerations, we plan to
continue requiring all members of the public entering an SSA field
office for a visit, or a hearing office to participate in an in-person
hearing, to complete a brief screener questionnaire designed to
identify COVID-19 symptoms.
For individuals visiting a hearings office, we may provide a link
to the screener questionnaire in the mailed notice of scheduled
hearings. People participating in a hearing can complete and submit the
questionnaire online within 24 hours before the start of the hearing.
If hearings participants do not wish to use the internet, they can call
the hearings office where the hearing is scheduled and complete the
questionnaire over the phone.
Similarly, we may give field office visitors the option of
completing the screener questionnaire through SSA's mobile application,
VIPr, prior to entering the building. We also have a poster in our
field office windows visible from the outside instructing visitors
about the need to complete the screening questionnaire and about our
masking policies. We will continue to request satisfactory completion
of the screener in advance of entering the building as a prerequisite
for entering the field office.
SSA's screener questionnaire asks questions relating to personal
experience of any COVID symptoms; exposure to someone diagnosed with
COVID; or travel by means other than land travel, such as car, bus,
ferry, or train. SSA uses the screener responses to determine if the
participant is ``cleared'' or ``not cleared'' to enter an SSA field or
hearing office. If participants answer ``no'' to all questions, they
are ``cleared'' to participate. If they answer ``yes'' to any part of
the screener, they will be considered ``not cleared.'' Individuals who
are not cleared may request SSA to provide an alternative service
method or reschedule their visit.
Alternatives To Completing the Information Collection
Although we will continue to require completion of the screener
questionnaire any in-person hearing or field office visit, we do not
require this screener questionnaire for other modalities of appeals
hearings, or field office services. One may choose an online video
hearing or telephone hearing as an alternative to an in-person hearing,
just as we also have online and telephone services for field office
transactions. Claimants may obtain Social Security payments regardless
of the hearing method they choose, and field office visitors may submit
their documentation using our internet services, telephone requests, or
by mailing their documentation to SSA.
The respondents are beneficiaries or applicants requesting an in-
person hearing, or members of the public entering a field office.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in office
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated theoretical or for Total annual
Modality of completion respondents response per response total annual hourly cost teleservice opportunity cost
(minutes) burden (hours) amount centers (dollars) ****
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COVID Screener Questionnaire...... 359,160 1 10 59,860 * $19.01 ** 10 **** $2,275,877
VIPr Mobile App................... 16,554 1 5 1,380 * 27.07 *** 21 **** 194,200
Telephone Screener................ 661,554 1 10 110,259 * 27.07 *** 21 **** 9,252,607
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 18456]]
Totals........................ 1,037,268 .............. .............. 171,499 .............. .............. **** 11,722,684
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based the Covid Screener Questionnaire figure on averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2021 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2021FactSheet.pdf), and the average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm). We based the VIPr Mobile App and Telephone Screener on the average U.S. worker's hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor
Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2022 wait times for hearing offices, based on SSA's current management information data.
*** We based this figure on the average FY 2022 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, based on SSA's current management information
data.
**** This figure does not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on recipients of Social Security payments to complete this application; rather,
these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time respondents will spend to complete the application. There is no actual charge to
respondents to complete the application.
Dated: March 25, 2022.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022-06734 Filed 3-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P
