Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request, 53945-53948 [2023-16994]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 9, 2023 / Notices
Information Officer, Securities and
Exchange Commission, c/o John
Pezzullo, 100 F Street NE, Washington,
DC 20549, or send an email to: PRA_
Mailbox@sec.gov.
Dated: August 3, 2023.
Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023–16992 Filed 8–8–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA–2023–0030]
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
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
information collection for public
comment and ultimately OMB approval.
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. Submit your
comments online referencing Docket ID
Number [SSA–2023–0030].
(SSA) Social Security Administration,
OLCA, Attn: Reports Clearance Director,
Mail Stop 3253 Altmeyer, 6401 Security
Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235, Fax: 833–
410–1631, 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–2023–0030].
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 October 10, 2023. Individuals
can obtain copies of the collection
instruments by writing to the above
email address.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:19 Aug 08, 2023
Jkt 259001
1. 0960–NEW. Social Security Income
Simplification Process Phase I (iSSI).
Overview.
SSA is embarking on a multi-year
effort to simplify the Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) application
process. This presents a formidable
challenge, based on the inherent
complexity of the program.
The SSI program legally requires SSA
to request extensive amounts of
information from SSI applicants to make
accurate eligibility and payment
determinations. This is because the SSI
program is, by statute, intended to
provide assistance based on the current
needs of a specific individual, with
eligibility and payment amounts
frequently fluctuating. Accordingly, it
takes a significant number of questions
to accurately identify an applicant’s
situation and needs. The framework of
the SSI program will not change
regardless of the type of application
claimants must complete. However, we
recognize that the current process is
burdensome and challenging for the
public, and we are doing what we can
to reduce this burden and improve
access to SSI.
As part of this effort, our goal is to
develop a fully online, simplified SSI
application process. As an important
step toward that goal, we are currently
planning to implement in late 2023 the
SSI Simplification Phase I initiative, or
iSSI. iSSI will be a pathway in the
existing Social Security internet Claim
(iClaim) System that will streamline and
shorten the SSI application for Title
XVI 1 disability applicants. iClaim is an
online portal the public can use to apply
for multiple types of Social Security
benefits. Currently, this includes
Retirement, Spouse’s, and Disability
Insurance benefits (DIB) (Title II SSDI).
Although SSI Simplification Phase I/
iSSI will be part of iClaim, the initiative
relates to three existing OMB-approved
SSA Information Collection Requests
(ICRs) in total. Further details about iSSI
and these three related ICRs follow.
How Will iSSI Work?
iSSI will work as follows:
• Title XVI applicants who want to
use the internet to apply for SSI will use
the iClaim system to initiate the
application process and establish the
1 Title XVI disability payments, or SSI, are needsbased and are reserved for low-income individuals
with limited assets. This is in contrast to Title II
disability benefits, or Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI), which are not needs-based, are
reserved for those who have worked/paid
corresponding taxes for the appropriate work
quarters, and do not have any associated income or
asset limitations. There is already an online Title
II application included as a pathway in the overall
iClaim application.
PO 00000
Frm 00088
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
53945
protective filing date of the application.
Applicants filing for themselves can
authenticate online using one of our
existing authentication methods, while
applicants assisting others can use
iClaim without authenticating.
Although SSA encourages respondents
to authenticate in iClaim, they can
continue to use the system without
authentication.
• When applicants who use iClaim
authenticate themselves, the iClaim
system can use some information
already within SSA records. For all
applicants, the iClaim system will
prompt the Social Security Disability
(Disability Insurance Benefit (DIB))
questions and pre-populate the
applicant’s answers within the iSSI
portion of the iClaim pages. The
applicants would then only need to
answer simplified eligibility related
questions, excerpted from the deferred
SSI application, that will form the core
of iSSI. These are what SSA refers to as
‘‘basic eligibility questions.’’
• After answering the DIB and SSI
basic eligibility questions, applicants
will be automatically transferred to
other existing steps within the SSI
Application iClaim path, such as
providing medical information (using
the i3368, OMB No. 0960–0579) and
signing a medical release using the i827
(OMB No. 0960–0623). This process will
be seamless to the applicant, as the
iClaim system will take them from page
to page without interruption.
• Once the applicant submits the
information online, SSA technicians
will review it for completeness and send
it to the Disability Determination
Services (DDS) to make a disability
determination. The DDS can make a
decision based on the application
materials and evidence the respondent
provides; by obtaining medical evidence
and/or work history from the applicant;
or by scheduling a consultative
examination (if needed).
• We will allow applicants filing for
themselves and third-party assistors
(i.e., respondents acting on behalf of
claimants) to use the new iSSI process.
(Note: Although iClaim does not allow
a third party to electronically sign on
behalf of the applicant, the new process
will not require the applicant to visit a
field office. Rather, SSA will mail a
copy of the third party’s responses to
the DIB and SSI application questions to
the applicant, and the applicant may
either sign the application and return it
via mail, or wait for an SSA employee
to call them to give verbal attestation in
lieu of a wet signature.)
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
53946
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 9, 2023 / Notices
To Which Existing SSA ICRs Does iSSI
Relate, and How Will It Interact With
Them?
iSSI relates to three existing OMBapproved ICRs: 0960–0618, Application
for Social Security Benefits (Specifically
the Social Insurance Disability (DIB)
SSA–16); 0960–0229 (SSA–8000,
Application for Supplemental Security
Income); and 0960–0444 (SSA–8001,
Application for Supplemental Security
Income (Deferred or Abbreviated). The
SSA–16 is fully electronic through the
iClaim system, and forms SSA–8000
and SSA–8001 are available as either
paper forms or Intranet screens that SSA
employees can complete while
interviewing applicants. Recent
discussions with third-party helpers and
advocates indicate that they regularly
complete and mail the paper SSA–8000
on behalf of applicants. However, that
adds an unnecessary burden to
responders, as the information is only
needed after the medical approval. SSA
data shows that approximately 52% of
the SSI applications SSA processed
were SSA–8000 applications, while the
remaining 48% use the SSA–8001. The
new online iSSI streamlined application
will make it easier for applicants to use
the SSA–8001 by allowing more
responders to file online, and by paving
the way for the future implementation
of the new streamlined SSI questions on
the other service channels (i.e., in
person or phone interviews).
(1) 0960–0618/Social Security
Benefits Applications.
The Social Security Benefit
Applications can be submitted through
the online iClaim system. iClaim offers
a timesaving and streamlined process by
importing some existing information
already in SSA’s records, and
prepopulating answers when applicable
as the applicant moves seamlessly from
one form to another. As well, iClaim
uses dynamic pathing, which ensures
claimants are only asked to complete
the questions that are relevant to them.
iClaim currently offers a limited Title
XVI application to apply for SSI
payments. Applicants navigate the SSA
website to learn about benefits for
which they can apply online. SSA
directs them to iClaim to use the current
limited SSI application if they meet the
requirements listed below:
• Indicate intent to file,
• Allege disability and are under the
age of 64 and 10 months,
• Are U.S. citizens,
• Have never been married; and
• Have never filed for SSI or named
as a parent on a child’s SSI record
However, the new SSI Simplification
Phase 1 pathway, as described above,
will expand to US residents and add the
new streamlined SSI questions to avoid
collecting unnecessary information or
contacting responders for additional
information. The updated iClaim
burden figures provided below reflect
the inclusion of new SSI claimants who
will now be using iSSI to apply:
SSA–1
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
annual
burden
(hours)
Average
theoretical
cost
amount
(dollars) *
Average wait
time in field
office or for
teleservice
centers
(minutes) **
Total annual
opportunity
cost
(dollars) ***
Paper version (SSA–1) ...........................
Interview/Phone MCS .............................
Interview/Office MCS ..............................
Internet First Party ..................................
Third party initiated (complete and submit) .......................................................
17,604
1,679,321
51,648
1,835,958
1
1
1
1
11
10
10
15
3,227
279,887
8,608
458,990
$29.76 *
29.76 *
29.76 *
29.76 *
........................
19 **
24 **
........................
$96,036 ***
24,155,359 ***
870,986 ***
13,659,542 ***
81,810
1
15
20,453
29.76 *
........................
608,681 ***
Totals ...............................................
3,666,341
........................
........................
771,165
........................
........................
39,390,604 ***
SSA–2
Paper version (SSA–2) ...........................
Interview/Phone MCS .............................
Interview/Office MCS ..............................
Internet First Party ..................................
6,723
358,225
8,227
119,129
1
1
1
1
15
14
14
15
1,681
83,586
1,920
29,782
29.76 *
29.76 *
29.76 *
29.76 *
........................
19 **
24 **
........................
50,027 ***
5,863,434 ***
155,079 ***
886,312 ***
Totals ...............................................
492,304
........................
........................
116,969
........................
........................
6,954,852 ***
SSA–16
Paper version (SSA–16) .........................
Interview/Phone MCS .............................
Interview/Office MCS ..............................
Internet First Party ..................................
Internet Third party ..................................
46,032
723,281
10,843
667,806
561,014
1
1
1
1
1
20
19
19
15
15
15,344
229,039
3,434
166,952
140,254
29.76 *
29.76 *
29.76 *
29.76 *
29.76 *
........................
19 **
24 **
........................
........................
456,637 ***
13,632,401 ***
231,265 ***
4,968,492 ***
4,173,959 ***
Totals ...............................................
2,008,976
........................
........................
555,023
........................
........................
23,462,754 ***
1,443,157
........................
........................
69,808,210 ***
Grand Total
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Totals ...............................................
6,167,621
........................
........................
* We based this figure on the average hourly wage for all occupations as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_
nat.htm).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2023 wait times for field offices, 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) 0960–0229/SSA–8000,
Application for Supplemental Security
Income (SSI).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:19 Aug 08, 2023
Jkt 259001
Form SSA–8000 is the full SSI
application. SSA instructs technicians
to use the SSA–8000 for initial claim
interviews when respondents:
PO 00000
Frm 00089
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
• Have a condition that would likely
meet a medical allowance (e.g., terminal
illness, presumptive blindness,
compassionate allowance (CAL)
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
53947
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 9, 2023 / Notices
conditions such leukemia, Lymphoma,
etc.,) which allows technicians to
simultaneously submit the application
for medical evaluation and continue the
income and resources development.
This process ensures that the medical
evaluation is not delayed due to any
pending non-medical development;
• File for aged benefits;
• File together with a spouse (i.e.,
couple cases); or
• Meet the Expeditious Handling
criteria (e.g., homeless, pre-release from
public instructions, etc.).
It is possible that someone who
otherwise would have gone to a field
office or called SSA to complete a full
SSA–8000 might now complete the new
iSSI at the beginning of the process, and
would then be called by SSA at a later
point to provide the additional required
information. iClaim asks these
applicants to provide us with their
intent to file for SSI (when filing for DIB
using iClaim) or contact us to set up an
appointment and file with the assistance
of a technician. These applicants will
also have the option to complete the
iSSI pathing in iClaim. This process will
continue with the implementation of
Phase 1. For individuals who are aged
(i.e., age of 64 and 10 months) or
married filing for SSI, iClaim will not
display the iSSI pathing; rather, the
system will indicate that SSA will
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated total
annual burden
(hours)
contact the applicants later to complete
their SSI application.
For the individuals who now start off
with the iSSI and have a condition that
would likely meet a medical allowance,
the filed application is flagged as a
priority case to expedite the process.
SSA technicians will quickly review the
application, refer it to the DDS for
medical evaluation, and simultaneously
develop and secure additional
information as needed. However, with
the new iSSI, the universe of
respondents will expand, and the
amount of time needed to complete file
their applications will decrease.
Projected updated burden figures are
reflected below:
Average
theoretical
cost amount
(dollars) *
Average wait
time in field
office or for
teleservice
centers
(minutes) **
Total annual
opportunity cost
(dollars) ***
Intranet CCE or SSI Claims System .......
SSA–8000 (Paper Version) .....................
Internet SSI (iSSI) converted into CCE
intranet full application .........................
674,154
34,244
1
1
35
40
393,257
22,829
$21.29 *
21.29 *
19 **
19 **
$12,917,473 ***
716,898 ***
1,080
1
20
360
21.29 *
19 **
14,946 ***
Total .................................................
709,478
........................
........................
416,446
........................
........................
13,649,317 ***
* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA’s current FY 2023 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2023factsheet.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 this figure on averaging both the average FY 2023 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, based on SSA’s 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.
(3) 0960–0444/SSA–8001,
Application for Supplemental Security
Income (Deferred or Abbreviated).
SSA uses this shortened version of the
SSI application to determine an
applicant’s potential eligibility for SSI,
specifically to (1) provide a formal
notification when non-medical
information the applicant provides
results in ineligibility; or (2) defer the
complete development of non-medical
issues until the DDS approves the
medical portion of the disability
process.
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Specifically, SSA technicians use the
SSA–8001 when the filing respondents
seem to meet the non-medical eligibility
requirements for at least one month and
SSA can defer other development until
the respondent receives a notice of
medical allowance. After the initial
interview and upon receiving medical
allowance, technicians contact
respondents who filed for SSI using the
SSA–8001 to develop any deferred
issues and update the information about
income and resources from the time the
respondent filed the application up to
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated total
annual burden
(hours)
the month the respondent received
SSA’s approval. At that point, SSA
technicians use the Intranet version of
the SSA–8000 to develop the remaining
necessary information (from the
perspective of the applicant, through a
personal interview).
SSA anticipates that the majority of
respondents for the new iSSI would
have otherwise completed the SSA–
8001. Accordingly, we are revising the
burden for the SSA–8001 to reflect this
reduction:
Average
theoretical
cost amount
(dollars) *
Average wait
time in field
office or for
teleservice
centers
(minutes) **
Total annual
opportunity cost
(dollars) ***
Intranet CCE or SSI Claims System .......
Internet Claim System (iSSI) First party
Internet Claim System (iSSI) Third party
SSA–8001 (Paper Version) .....................
426,388
76,500 +
71,000 +
38,304
1
1
1
1
28
6
6
28
198,981
7,650
7,100
17,875
$21.29 *
12.81 *
29.76 *
21.29 *
19 **
........................
........................
19 **
$7,110,945 ***
97,997 ***
211,296 ***
638,806 ***
Total .................................................
612,192
........................
........................
231,606
........................
........................
8,059,044 ***
+ We are not double counting the number of respondents in this ICR, as we do not account for the iSSI (iClaim) respondents under 0960–0618, we only account for
them here.
* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA’s current FY 2022 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2023factsheet.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), as well as the average of both
the average DI payments based on SSA’s current FY 2023 data and the average U.S. worker’s hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics.
** We based this figure on averaging both the average FY 2023 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, based on SSA’s 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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:19 Aug 08, 2023
Jkt 259001
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
53948
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 9, 2023 / Notices
What Will the Benefits of iSSI Be in
Comparison to Our Current Processes?
• iSSI will be much simpler than the
current process for the early stages of
the SSI application process. Rather than
completing a paper form, calling or
visiting a field office to preserve a
protective filing date, or assembling
significant amounts of information to
begin an application, the applicants will
now just need to start the online DIB
application process and answer the new
iSSI basic eligibility questions. Once
SSA receives the answers to the
questions, we will determine whether
further development is needed, and will
contact the claimant if necessary.
• iSSI will also be more convenient
and somewhat faster than the initial
stages of the current application
process. Primarily, this is because the
iClaim system pre-populates
information from SSA’s records for
authenticated applicants that the
applicant might otherwise have needed
to provide. As well, iSSI will seamlessly
move the applicant on to the other next
steps described above (e.g., completion
of the i3368). Moreover, applicants will
save time that might have been required
for a field office visit or a phone
appointment.
• Finally, iSSI will, for the first time,
offer an electronic option to non-U.S.
citizens. Currently, a non-U.S. citizen is
told they will be contacted by an SSA
employee to initiate an application.
With iSSI, we will be able to utilize
citizenship and country information
from SSA’s records for authenticated
applicants.
Dated: August 3, 2023.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Office of
Regulations and Reports Clearance, Office of
Legislation and Congressional Affairs, Social
Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023–16994 Filed 8–8–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Notice of Intent To Rule on a Land
Release Request for Change in Use
From Aeronautical to Non-Aeronautical
at Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico
Regional Airport, Salisbury, MD
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) DOT.
ACTION: Notice of request for a change in
use of on-airport property.
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to rule and
invites public comment on Wicomico
County’s request to change 24.5 acres of
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:19 Aug 08, 2023
Jkt 259001
federally obligated airport property at
Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico
Regional Airport, Salisbury, MD from
aeronautical to non-aeronautical use.
This acreage was originally purchased
with federal financial assistance through
the Airport Improvement Program. The
proposed use of land after the sale will
be compatible with the airport and will
not interfere with the airport or its
operation.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before September 8, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Comments on this application may be
mailed or delivered to the following
address: Anthony Rudy, Airport
Manager, Salisbury-Ocean City:
Wicomico Regional Airport, 5485
Airport Terminal Road, Unit A,
Salisbury, MD 21804, (410) 548–4827,
and at the FAA Washington Airports
District Office: Matthew J. Thys,
Manager, Washington Airports District
Office, 13873 Park Center Road, Suite
490S, Herndon, VA 20171, (703) 487–
3980.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Wendell H. Ford
Aviation Investment and Reform Act for
the 21st Century (AIR 21), Public Law
106–181 (Apr. 5, 2000; 114 Stat. 61),
this notice must be published in the
Federal Register 30 days before the
Secretary may waive any condition
imposed on a federally obligated airport
by grant agreements. The following is a
brief overview of the request.
Wicomico County has submitted a
land release request seeking FAA
approval for the change in use of
approximately 24.5 acres of federally
obligated airport property from
aeronautical to non-aeronautical use.
The property is situated within the
approach to Runway 14 but outside of
the runway protection zone. Due to this
location, the subject area is unable to be
utilized for aviation.
The 24.5 acres of land to be released
consist of 12.7 acres of Parcel 24 and
11.8 acres of Parcel 63. Parcel 63 was
originally purchased with federal
financial assistance through the AIP
program under Grant Agreement 3–24–
0025–37–2007. The FAA has
determined the proposed project would
have no material impact on aircraft
operations, at, to or from the airport;
would not affect the safety of people
and property on the ground adjacent to
the airport as a result of aircraft
operations; and would not have an
adverse effect on the value of prior
Federal investments to a significant
extent. Subsequent to the
implementation of the proposed change
in use, rents received by the airport
PO 00000
Frm 00091
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
from this property is considered airport
revenue, and will be used in accordance
with 49 U.S.C. 47107(b) and the FAA’s
Policy and Procedures Concerning the
Use of Airport Revenue published in the
Federal Register on February 16, 1999.
The proposed use of the property will
not interfere with the airport or its
operation.
Issued in Herndon, Virginia.
Matthew J. Thys,
Manager, Washington Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 2023–16986 Filed 8–8–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA–2023–0057]
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
Under part 211 of title 49 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), this
document provides the public notice
that by letter dated August 1, 2023, the
Buckingham Branch Railroad (BBRR)
petitioned the Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) for a waiver of
compliance from certain provisions of
the Federal railroad safety regulations
contained at 49 CFR part 240
(Qualification and Certification of
Locomotive Engineers). FRA assigned
the petition Docket Number FRA–2023–
0057.
Specifically, BBRR requests relief
from § 240.201(d), which requires that
only certified persons operate
locomotives and trains. The relief would
allow noncertified persons to pay a fee
and operate a locomotive as part of a
‘‘Hand on the Throttle’’ program in
partnership with the Virginia Museum
of Transportation. In support of its
petition, BBRR notes that the relief
would only apply to persons
participating in the program, and that
participants would be under the direct
supervision of a certified and qualified
locomotive engineer. Further, all
movements would take place during
daylight hours and at restricted speed.
BBRR also specifies that the section of
track on which the program will run
will be under absolute block authority
and derails with red flags will be placed
at the beginning and end of the segment.
A copy of the petition, as well as any
written communications concerning the
petition, is available for review online at
www.regulations.gov.
Interested parties are invited to
participate in these proceedings by
submitting written views, data, or
comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 9, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53945-53948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16994]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA-2023-0030]
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 information collection for public comment and
ultimately OMB approval. 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: [email protected]. Submit
your comments online referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-2023-0030].
(SSA) Social Security Administration, OLCA, Attn: Reports Clearance
Director, Mail Stop 3253 Altmeyer, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD
21235, Fax: 833-410-1631, Email address: [email protected].
Or you may submit your comments online through https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-
2023-0030].
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 October 10,
2023. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instruments by
writing to the above email address.
1. 0960-NEW. Social Security Income Simplification Process Phase I
(iSSI).
Overview.
SSA is embarking on a multi-year effort to simplify the
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application process. This presents a
formidable challenge, based on the inherent complexity of the program.
The SSI program legally requires SSA to request extensive amounts
of information from SSI applicants to make accurate eligibility and
payment determinations. This is because the SSI program is, by statute,
intended to provide assistance based on the current needs of a specific
individual, with eligibility and payment amounts frequently
fluctuating. Accordingly, it takes a significant number of questions to
accurately identify an applicant's situation and needs. The framework
of the SSI program will not change regardless of the type of
application claimants must complete. However, we recognize that the
current process is burdensome and challenging for the public, and we
are doing what we can to reduce this burden and improve access to SSI.
As part of this effort, our goal is to develop a fully online,
simplified SSI application process. As an important step toward that
goal, we are currently planning to implement in late 2023 the SSI
Simplification Phase I initiative, or iSSI. iSSI will be a pathway in
the existing Social Security internet Claim (iClaim) System that will
streamline and shorten the SSI application for Title XVI \1\ disability
applicants. iClaim is an online portal the public can use to apply for
multiple types of Social Security benefits. Currently, this includes
Retirement, Spouse's, and Disability Insurance benefits (DIB) (Title II
SSDI). Although SSI Simplification Phase I/iSSI will be part of iClaim,
the initiative relates to three existing OMB-approved SSA Information
Collection Requests (ICRs) in total. Further details about iSSI and
these three related ICRs follow.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Title XVI disability payments, or SSI, are needs-based and
are reserved for low-income individuals with limited assets. This is
in contrast to Title II disability benefits, or Social Security
Disability Insurance (SSDI), which are not needs-based, are reserved
for those who have worked/paid corresponding taxes for the
appropriate work quarters, and do not have any associated income or
asset limitations. There is already an online Title II application
included as a pathway in the overall iClaim application.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
How Will iSSI Work?
iSSI will work as follows:
Title XVI applicants who want to use the internet to apply
for SSI will use the iClaim system to initiate the application process
and establish the protective filing date of the application. Applicants
filing for themselves can authenticate online using one of our existing
authentication methods, while applicants assisting others can use
iClaim without authenticating. Although SSA encourages respondents to
authenticate in iClaim, they can continue to use the system without
authentication.
When applicants who use iClaim authenticate themselves,
the iClaim system can use some information already within SSA records.
For all applicants, the iClaim system will prompt the Social Security
Disability (Disability Insurance Benefit (DIB)) questions and pre-
populate the applicant's answers within the iSSI portion of the iClaim
pages. The applicants would then only need to answer simplified
eligibility related questions, excerpted from the deferred SSI
application, that will form the core of iSSI. These are what SSA refers
to as ``basic eligibility questions.''
After answering the DIB and SSI basic eligibility
questions, applicants will be automatically transferred to other
existing steps within the SSI Application iClaim path, such as
providing medical information (using the i3368, OMB No. 0960-0579) and
signing a medical release using the i827 (OMB No. 0960-0623). This
process will be seamless to the applicant, as the iClaim system will
take them from page to page without interruption.
Once the applicant submits the information online, SSA
technicians will review it for completeness and send it to the
Disability Determination Services (DDS) to make a disability
determination. The DDS can make a decision based on the application
materials and evidence the respondent provides; by obtaining medical
evidence and/or work history from the applicant; or by scheduling a
consultative examination (if needed).
We will allow applicants filing for themselves and third-
party assistors (i.e., respondents acting on behalf of claimants) to
use the new iSSI process. (Note: Although iClaim does not allow a third
party to electronically sign on behalf of the applicant, the new
process will not require the applicant to visit a field office. Rather,
SSA will mail a copy of the third party's responses to the DIB and SSI
application questions to the applicant, and the applicant may either
sign the application and return it via mail, or wait for an SSA
employee to call them to give verbal attestation in lieu of a wet
signature.)
[[Page 53946]]
To Which Existing SSA ICRs Does iSSI Relate, and How Will It Interact
With Them?
iSSI relates to three existing OMB-approved ICRs: 0960-0618,
Application for Social Security Benefits (Specifically the Social
Insurance Disability (DIB) SSA-16); 0960-0229 (SSA-8000, Application
for Supplemental Security Income); and 0960-0444 (SSA-8001, Application
for Supplemental Security Income (Deferred or Abbreviated). The SSA-16
is fully electronic through the iClaim system, and forms SSA-8000 and
SSA-8001 are available as either paper forms or Intranet screens that
SSA employees can complete while interviewing applicants. Recent
discussions with third-party helpers and advocates indicate that they
regularly complete and mail the paper SSA-8000 on behalf of applicants.
However, that adds an unnecessary burden to responders, as the
information is only needed after the medical approval. SSA data shows
that approximately 52% of the SSI applications SSA processed were SSA-
8000 applications, while the remaining 48% use the SSA-8001. The new
online iSSI streamlined application will make it easier for applicants
to use the SSA-8001 by allowing more responders to file online, and by
paving the way for the future implementation of the new streamlined SSI
questions on the other service channels (i.e., in person or phone
interviews).
(1) 0960-0618/Social Security Benefits Applications.
The Social Security Benefit Applications can be submitted through
the online iClaim system. iClaim offers a timesaving and streamlined
process by importing some existing information already in SSA's
records, and prepopulating answers when applicable as the applicant
moves seamlessly from one form to another. As well, iClaim uses dynamic
pathing, which ensures claimants are only asked to complete the
questions that are relevant to them.
iClaim currently offers a limited Title XVI application to apply
for SSI payments. Applicants navigate the SSA website to learn about
benefits for which they can apply online. SSA directs them to iClaim to
use the current limited SSI application if they meet the requirements
listed below:
Indicate intent to file,
Allege disability and are under the age of 64 and 10
months,
Are U.S. citizens,
Have never been married; and
Have never filed for SSI or named as a parent on a child's
SSI record
However, the new SSI Simplification Phase 1 pathway, as described
above, will expand to US residents and add the new streamlined SSI
questions to avoid collecting unnecessary information or contacting
responders for additional information. The updated iClaim burden
figures provided below reflect the inclusion of new SSI claimants who
will now be using iSSI to apply:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in field
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated theoretical office or for Total annual
Modality of completion respondents response per response annual burden cost amount teleservice opportunity cost
(minutes) (hours) (dollars) * centers (dollars) ***
(minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper version (SSA-1)................ 17,604 1 11 3,227 $29.76 * .............. $96,036 ***
Interview/Phone MCS.................. 1,679,321 1 10 279,887 29.76 * 19 ** 24,155,359 ***
Interview/Office MCS................. 51,648 1 10 8,608 29.76 * 24 ** 870,986 ***
Internet First Party................. 1,835,958 1 15 458,990 29.76 * .............. 13,659,542 ***
Third party initiated (complete and 81,810 1 15 20,453 29.76 * .............. 608,681 ***
submit).............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................... 3,666,341 .............. .............. 771,165 .............. .............. 39,390,604 ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper version (SSA-2)................ 6,723 1 15 1,681 29.76 * .............. 50,027 ***
Interview/Phone MCS.................. 358,225 1 14 83,586 29.76 * 19 ** 5,863,434 ***
Interview/Office MCS................. 8,227 1 14 1,920 29.76 * 24 ** 155,079 ***
Internet First Party................. 119,129 1 15 29,782 29.76 * .............. 886,312 ***
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................... 492,304 .............. .............. 116,969 .............. .............. 6,954,852 ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper version (SSA-16)............... 46,032 1 20 15,344 29.76 * .............. 456,637 ***
Interview/Phone MCS.................. 723,281 1 19 229,039 29.76 * 19 ** 13,632,401 ***
Interview/Office MCS................. 10,843 1 19 3,434 29.76 * 24 ** 231,265 ***
Internet First Party................. 667,806 1 15 166,952 29.76 * .............. 4,968,492 ***
Internet Third party................. 561,014 1 15 140,254 29.76 * .............. 4,173,959 ***
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................... 2,008,976 .............. .............. 555,023 .............. .............. 23,462,754 ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................... 6,167,621 .............. .............. 1,443,157 .............. .............. 69,808,210 ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on the average hourly wage for all occupations as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2023 wait times for field offices, 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) 0960-0229/SSA-8000, Application for Supplemental Security
Income (SSI).
Form SSA-8000 is the full SSI application. SSA instructs
technicians to use the SSA-8000 for initial claim interviews when
respondents:
Have a condition that would likely meet a medical
allowance (e.g., terminal illness, presumptive blindness, compassionate
allowance (CAL)
[[Page 53947]]
conditions such leukemia, Lymphoma, etc.,) which allows technicians to
simultaneously submit the application for medical evaluation and
continue the income and resources development. This process ensures
that the medical evaluation is not delayed due to any pending non-
medical development;
File for aged benefits;
File together with a spouse (i.e., couple cases); or
Meet the Expeditious Handling criteria (e.g., homeless,
pre-release from public instructions, etc.).
It is possible that someone who otherwise would have gone to a
field office or called SSA to complete a full SSA-8000 might now
complete the new iSSI at the beginning of the process, and would then
be called by SSA at a later point to provide the additional required
information. iClaim asks these applicants to provide us with their
intent to file for SSI (when filing for DIB using iClaim) or contact us
to set up an appointment and file with the assistance of a technician.
These applicants will also have the option to complete the iSSI pathing
in iClaim. This process will continue with the implementation of Phase
1. For individuals who are aged (i.e., age of 64 and 10 months) or
married filing for SSI, iClaim will not display the iSSI pathing;
rather, the system will indicate that SSA will contact the applicants
later to complete their SSI application.
For the individuals who now start off with the iSSI and have a
condition that would likely meet a medical allowance, the filed
application is flagged as a priority case to expedite the process. SSA
technicians will quickly review the application, refer it to the DDS
for medical evaluation, and simultaneously develop and secure
additional information as needed. However, with the new iSSI, the
universe of respondents will expand, and the amount of time needed to
complete file their applications will decrease. Projected updated
burden figures are reflected below:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in field
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated theoretical office or for Total annual
Modality of completion respondents response per response total annual cost amount teleservice opportunity cost
(minutes) burden (hours) (dollars) * centers (dollars) ***
(minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intranet CCE or SSI Claims System.... 674,154 1 35 393,257 $21.29 * 19 ** $12,917,473 ***
SSA-8000 (Paper Version)............. 34,244 1 40 22,829 21.29 * 19 ** 716,898 ***
Internet SSI (iSSI) converted into 1,080 1 20 360 21.29 * 19 ** 14,946 ***
CCE intranet full application.......
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................ 709,478 .............. .............. 416,446 .............. .............. 13,649,317 ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2023 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2023factsheet.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 this figure on averaging both the average FY 2023 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, based on SSA's 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.
(3) 0960-0444/SSA-8001, Application for Supplemental Security
Income (Deferred or Abbreviated).
SSA uses this shortened version of the SSI application to determine
an applicant's potential eligibility for SSI, specifically to (1)
provide a formal notification when non-medical information the
applicant provides results in ineligibility; or (2) defer the complete
development of non-medical issues until the DDS approves the medical
portion of the disability process.
Specifically, SSA technicians use the SSA-8001 when the filing
respondents seem to meet the non-medical eligibility requirements for
at least one month and SSA can defer other development until the
respondent receives a notice of medical allowance. After the initial
interview and upon receiving medical allowance, technicians contact
respondents who filed for SSI using the SSA-8001 to develop any
deferred issues and update the information about income and resources
from the time the respondent filed the application up to the month the
respondent received SSA's approval. At that point, SSA technicians use
the Intranet version of the SSA-8000 to develop the remaining necessary
information (from the perspective of the applicant, through a personal
interview).
SSA anticipates that the majority of respondents for the new iSSI
would have otherwise completed the SSA-8001. Accordingly, we are
revising the burden for the SSA-8001 to reflect this reduction:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in field
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated theoretical office or for Total annual
Modality of completion respondents response per response total annual cost amount teleservice opportunity cost
(minutes) burden (hours) (dollars) * centers (dollars) ***
(minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intranet CCE or SSI Claims System.... 426,388 1 28 198,981 $21.29 * 19 ** $7,110,945 ***
Internet Claim System (iSSI) First 76,500 \+\ 1 6 7,650 12.81 * .............. 97,997 ***
party...............................
Internet Claim System (iSSI) Third 71,000 \+\ 1 6 7,100 29.76 * .............. 211,296 ***
party...............................
SSA-8001 (Paper Version)............. 38,304 1 28 17,875 21.29 * 19 ** 638,806 ***
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................ 612,192 .............. .............. 231,606 .............. .............. 8,059,044 ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ We are not double counting the number of respondents in this ICR, as we do not account for the iSSI (iClaim) respondents under 0960-0618, we only
account for them here.
* We based this figure by averaging both the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2022 data (https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/2023factsheet.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), as well as the average of both the average DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2023 data and the average U.S. worker's hourly wages,
as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics.
** We based this figure on averaging both the average FY 2023 wait times for field offices and teleservice centers, based on SSA's 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.
[[Page 53948]]
What Will the Benefits of iSSI Be in Comparison to Our Current
Processes?
iSSI will be much simpler than the current process for the
early stages of the SSI application process. Rather than completing a
paper form, calling or visiting a field office to preserve a protective
filing date, or assembling significant amounts of information to begin
an application, the applicants will now just need to start the online
DIB application process and answer the new iSSI basic eligibility
questions. Once SSA receives the answers to the questions, we will
determine whether further development is needed, and will contact the
claimant if necessary.
iSSI will also be more convenient and somewhat faster than
the initial stages of the current application process. Primarily, this
is because the iClaim system pre-populates information from SSA's
records for authenticated applicants that the applicant might otherwise
have needed to provide. As well, iSSI will seamlessly move the
applicant on to the other next steps described above (e.g., completion
of the i3368). Moreover, applicants will save time that might have been
required for a field office visit or a phone appointment.
Finally, iSSI will, for the first time, offer an
electronic option to non-U.S. citizens. Currently, a non-U.S. citizen
is told they will be contacted by an SSA employee to initiate an
application. With iSSI, we will be able to utilize citizenship and
country information from SSA's records for authenticated applicants.
Dated: August 3, 2023.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Office of Regulations and Reports Clearance,
Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, Social Security
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-16994 Filed 8-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P
