Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request, 67141-67144 [2024-18492]
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For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.19
Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
instruments by writing to the above
email address.
[FR Doc. 2024–18469 Filed 8–16–24; 8:45 am]
Background
The Social Security Administration
(SSA) provides income assistance to
more than 13 million working-age
adults and children with disabilities
through the Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) programs. To
evaluate these respondents as they
navigate SSA’s application process, we
are implementing the New Applicant
Survey (NAS). The objective of the New
Applicant Survey (NAS) is to provide
SSA’s Office of Research,
Demonstration, and Employment
Support (ORDES) with information
about recent applicants’ experience at
different stages or touchpoints in the
disability application process. SSA will
use findings from the survey to inform
testable policy interventions to improve
the application experience for applicant.
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA–2024–0029]
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD 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 two new
collections for OMB approval, as well as
revisions of OMB-approved information
collections.
SSA is soliciting comments on the
accuracy of the agency’s burden
estimate; the need for the information;
its practical utility; ways to enhance its
quality, utility, and clarity; and ways to
minimize burden on respondents,
including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology. Mail, email, or
fax your comments and
recommendations on the information
collection(s) to the OMB Desk Officer
and SSA Reports Clearance Officer at
the following addresses or fax numbers.
(OMB) Office of Management and
Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA
(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 by clicking on
Currently under Review—Open for
Public Comments and choosing to click
on one of SSA’s published items. Please
reference Docket ID Number [SSA–
2024–0029] in your submitted response.
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 18, 2024. Individuals
can obtain copies of the collection
19 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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1. New Applicant Survey (NAS)—0960–
NEW
NAS Description
The primary goal of NAS is to help
SSA improve our current application
process through the use of feedback
from the public who use it. The research
questions and survey will allow SSA to
evaluate current practices and improve
upon them. Ultimately, we expect the
purpose of this survey will help SSA to
implement a better overall application
experience for respondents, as they use
SSA’s systems.
To provide information to SSA
regarding applicants’ experiences at the
different touchpoints in the disability
application process, SSA’s evaluation
will include the following analysis
components:
• Comparison of Characteristics:
Comparing characteristics of nonrespondents (or the total sample) to
those of respondents using information
available for both non-respondents and
respondents.
• Modeling: Modeling response
propensity using multivariate analyses,
including observation and analysis of
several outcome variables.
• Evaluation of Differences:
Evaluating differences found in
comparisons between unadjusted (i.e.,
base-) weighted estimates of selected
sampling frame characteristics based on
the survey respondents and the
corresponding population (frame)
parameter.
• Comparison of Estimates:
Comparing weighted survey estimates
(e.g., selected error rates by type) using
unadjusted (base) weights versus
nonresponse-adjusted weights.
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67141
We expect the NAS will help SSA
answer the following research
questions:
• What are the pre- and postapplication employment experiences of
awarded and denied SSDI and SSI
applicants?
• What employment-, vocational-,
medical-, or income-related services and
supports did applicants use leading up
to and since application?
• What sources of information about
SSDI or SSI did the applicant use or
have access to?
• What were the applicants’
experiences with representation during
the application or post-application
periods?
SSA will conduct this survey with
10,000 respondents nationally. SSA will
provide a list of recent adult applicants
who have applied for Social Security
disability benefits to the contractor to
use for sample selection. To ensure that
sampled applicants have recent
experiences with the application
process, we will restrict the target
population to those who have applied,
appealed, or received a determination in
the six months prior to sampling. The
sample will include individuals to
whom SSA awarded benefits
(beneficiaries), those to whom SSA
denied benefits, as well as applicants
who remain at different stages of the
application process.
For this survey, we will use the
following methods for recruitment:
• SSA Announcement
• Email to Appointed Representative
from Appointed Representative
Associations
• Email to Appointed Representative
(Directly)
• First USPS Mailing to All Applicants,
which will include a small cash
incentive of $2, a letter, and an
information sheet
• Second USPS Mailing to All
Applicants
• Third USPS Mailing to
Nonrespondents
• Fourth USPS Mailing to
Nonrespondents
• Fifth contact introducing the
telephone modality.
As part of recruitment, we will also
conduct experiments regarding more
cash incentives, invitations to complete
the survey using multiple modalities
(internet, paper, telephone), as well as
an early-bird incentive.
The Survey Instrument
The survey asks questions that focus
on the applicant’s experience with
different aspects of the application
process. We will use it to collect data
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from 10,000 new applicants at different
touchpoints in the application process
to understand applicant experiences at
each stage and obtain the information
needed to address the research
questions.
To accommodate respondent
preferences, we will create three
modalities of the survey instrument:
internet-based, automated-telephone,
and paper. The internet and telephone
versions will have essentially the same
design as these modalities use dynamic
pathing, which facilitate the automatic
skipping of questions based on the
respondents’ earlier responses. We will
include instructions and formatting on
the paper instrument which will also
allow the respondents to skip questions
based on previous responses; however,
they will be able to see all of the
questions (which is not the case on the
internet and telephone versions).
The survey questions will focus on
the following applicant experiences:
• Touchpoints in the application
process completed and applicants’
experience with the most recent
touchpoints;
• Use of appointed representatives;
• Actions taken when applicants
receive an unfavorable SSA decision;
• Use of and experience with SSA
services;
• Recommendations for
improvements to the application
process;
• Personal financial environment
including use of assistance programs;
• Personal support system; and
• Demographic information
SSA will use the information we
collect from this survey to understand
applicants’ experiences at different
stages in the application process, as well
as the types of SSA services applicants
accessed, and to evaluate changes to the
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
application process that could
potentially improve applicants’
experience. We will encourage
respondents to complete the survey via
the internet modality, but will not
restrict them, or penalize respondents
who choose a different method (paper or
telephone). We will require informed
consent for all participants.
Ultimately, we expect the purpose of
this survey will help SSA to implement
a better overall application experience
for respondents, as they use SSA’s
systems.
The respondents are current SSA
beneficiaries who have undergone the
application process; individuals to
whom SSA denied benefits; applicants
for Social Security services in various
stages of the application process, and
their representatives (as applicable).
Type of Request: Request for a new
information collection.
Estimated total
annual burden
(hours)
Average
theoretical
hourly cost
amount
(dollars) *
Total annual
opportunity cost
(dollars) **
Internet Survey (including informed consent and screener)
Paper Survey (including informed consent and screener)
Telephone Survey (including informed consent and
screener) ..........................................................................
5,000
3,500
1
1
35
35
2,917
2,280
$7.25
7.25
$21,148
16,530
1,500
1
40
1,000
7.25
7,250
Totals ...........................................................................
10,000
........................
........................
6,197
........................
44,928
* We base this figure on the Federal minimum wage of $7.25, as survey participants will have recently applied for SSA disability benefits and will typically not have
started receiving benefits yet (https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/minimumwage).
Note: Our contractor will schedule an appointment to call the recipient at their preferred date and time; therefore, the respondents will not incur an average wait
time.
** 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.
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2. Statutory Benefit Continuation
Election Statement—20 CFR 404.1597a,
and 416.996—0960–NEW
Sections 223(g) and 1631(a)(7) of the
Social Security Act (Act) provide that,
when a disability Title II beneficiary or
Title XVI recipient requests an appeal of
a Social Security Administration’s
(SSA) determination stating that their
physical or mental impairment(s)
ceased, never existed, or is no longer
disabling during a continuing disability
review (CDR), the individual has the
right to request disability benefits
continue during their appeal. This
process, known as Statutory Benefit
Continuation (SBC), follows regulations
set forth in 20 CFR 404.1597a(f) and
416.996(c–d) of the Code of Federal
Regulations (Code). Currently, when
SSA determines an individual’s
disability ceased or is no longer
disabling, SSA sends the individual a
notice of benefit termination informing
them within 10 days after receipt of the
notice their disability benefits will end,
and they must submit in writing, or use
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Form SSA–795, Statement of Claimant
or Other Person (OMB No. 0960–0045),
to complete a statement to elect or
decline continuation of benefits.
However, Form SSA–795 does not
specifically address SBC elections,
which often leads to incomplete
submissions for those cases. For SBC
cases, SSA’s field office staff frequently
need to follow-up with individuals to
clarify their election or explain the
available options. The SBC election is
effective until SSA makes the
determination or decision at the
applicable appeal level. SSA requires
the individual to make a separate
election at each level of appeal, through
the hearing level before an
administrative law judge (ALJ). SBC is
not available at the appeals council (AC)
or federal court levels; however, if the
AC remands a case back to the ALJ
hearing level, and the individual did not
previously elect SBC, SSA grants the
individual another opportunity to make
an SBC election at that time. If the
individual elected SBC at a prior ALJ
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hearing level, the field office (FO)
automatically reinstates SBC after the
AC sends the case to the hearing office.
The FO reinstates benefits retroactive to
the first month of non-payment
resulting from the now vacated prior
ALJ decision. A claimant has two
opportunities to elect SBC during the
appeal process: (1) the claimant can
request SBC when appealing at the
reconsideration level and then again at
the hearing level, and (2) the claimant
can request SBC at the hearing level
only.
The following are eligible for SCB: SSI
recipients whose benefits are based on
disability or blindness; primary
disability insurance beneficiaries;
auxiliaries receiving benefits on the
record of a primary disability
beneficiary, disabled widow or
widowers, disabled adult children;
mothers or fathers receiving benefits
based on having a disabled adult child
in their care, and mothers or fathers
receiving benefits based on having in
their care a child under age 18 but over
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individual’s benefit continuation
election choice. Form SSA–792 will
allow the individual to elect from a
variety of options available to them for
continued disability benefits and
Medicare coverage. The respondents are
age 15 who is disabled and receiving
child’s benefits.
SSA is requesting OMB approval of
Form SSA–792, Statutory Benefit
Continuation Election Statement to
standardize our collection of an
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
Title II and Title XVI disability
beneficiaries and recipients and Title II
auxiliaries.
Type of Request: Request for a new
information collection.
Average
theoretical
hourly cost
amount
(dollars) *
Average wait
time in
field office
(minutes) **
Total annual
opportunity cost
(dollars) ***
Reconsideration Appeal Level: Form
SSA–792 ..............................................
Hearing Appeal Level: Form SSA–792 ...
60,038
17,107
1
1
40
40
40,025
11,405
* $22.39
* 22.39
** 24
** 24
*** $1,433,856
*** 408,573
Totals ...............................................
77,145
........................
........................
51,430
........................
........................
*** 1,842,429
* We based this figure on the average of both DI payments based on SSA’s current FY 2024 data (https://mwww.ba.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.pdf), and
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 the average FY 2024 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.
3. Disability Report—Appeal—20 CFR
404.1512, 416.912, 404.916(c),
416.1416(c), 422.140, 404.1713,
416.1513, 404.1740(b)(4),
416.1540(b)(4), and 405 Subpart C—
0960–0144
SSA requires disability applicants
who wish to appeal an unfavorable
determination to complete Form SSA–
3441–BK; the associated Electronic
Disability Collect System (EDCS)
interview; or the internet application,
i3441. This allows claimants to disclose
any changes to their disability, or
resources, which might influence SSA’s
unfavorable determination. SSA may
use the information to: (1) reconsider
and review an initial disability
determination; (2) review a continuing
disability; and (3) evaluate a request for
a hearing. This information assists the
State Disability Determination Services
(DDS) and ALJ in preparing for the
appeals and hearings, and in issuing a
determination or decision on an
individual’s entitlement (initial or
continuing) to disability benefits. In
addition, the information we collect on
the SSA–3441–BK, or related
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
SSA–3441–BK (Paper Form) ..................
Electronic Disability Collect System
(EDCS)—Individuals ............................
Electronic Disability Collect System
(EDCS)—Representatives ...................
i3441 (Internet Application)—Individuals
i3441 (Internet Application)—Representatives ...................................................
Totals ...............................................
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
modalities, facilitates SSA’s collection
of medical information to support the
applicant’s request for reconsideration;
request for benefits cessation appeal;
and request for a hearing before an ALJ.
Respondents are individuals who
appeal denial, reduction, or cessation of
Social Security disability benefits and
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
payments; individuals who wish to
request a hearing before an ALJ; or their
representatives.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Average
theoretical
hourly cost
amount
(dollars) *
Average
wait time
in field
office and
teleservice
wait time
(minutes) **
Total annual
opportunity cost
(dollars) ***
22,556
1
45
16,917
* $22.40
** 24
*** $581,034
208,831
1
45
156,623
* 13.30
** 24
*** 3,194,062
71,652
109,598
1
1
45
28
53,739
51,146
* 31.48
* 13.30
** 19
........................
*** 12,405,985
*** 680,242
656,424
1
28
306,331
*31.48
........................
*** 9,643,300
1,069,061
........................
........................
584,756
........................
........................
*** 26,504,623
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* We based these figures on average DI hourly wages for single students based on SSA’s current FY 2024 data (https://mwww.ba.ssa.gov/legislation/
2024FactSheet.pdf) and average U.S. citizen’s hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm), as well
as a combination of those two figures (for the paper form, as we do not collect data on whether the paper forms are filled out by individuals or representatives or
both).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2024 wait times for field offices, and the average teleservice wait time 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.
4. Request for 800# Automated
Telephone Services Knowledge-Based
Authentication (RISA–KBA)—20 CFR
401.45—0960–0596
The Request for 800# Automated
Telephone Services Knowledge-Based
Authentication is the knowledge-based
authentication method SSA uses to
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allow individuals access to their
personal information through our
Automated Telephone Services. SSA’s
system asks requestors using the
automated telephone services to provide
additional identifying information
unique to those individuals so SSA can
authenticate their identities before
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releasing personal information. The
system requests this unique identifying
information to authenticate both
individuals and third parties who use
our automated telephone system to seek
personal information from SSA records,
or to make changes to SSA records. The
respondents are current beneficiaries, or
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third parties who use the automated
telephone system to request personal
information from SSA.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
Automated Telephone Requestors .....................................
I
I
1,716,315
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Frequency of
response
1
I
4
Average
theoretical
hourly cost
amount
(dollars) *
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
I
114,421
I
* $31.48
Total annual
opportunity cost
(dollars) **
I
** $3,601,973
* We based these figures on average U.S. citizen’s hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm).
** 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.
5. Prohibition of Payment of SSI
Benefits to Fugitive Felons and Parole/
Probation Violators—20 CFR
416.708(o)—0960–0617
Section 1611(e)(4) of the Act
precludes eligibility for SSI payments
for certain fugitives and probation or
parole violators. Our regulation at 20
CFR 416.708(o) requires individuals
applying for, or receiving SSI to report
to SSA that: (1) they are fleeing to avoid
prosecution for a crime; (2) they are
fleeing to avoid custody or confinement
after conviction of a crime; or (3) they
are violating a condition of probation or
parole. SSA uses the information we
receive to determine eligibility on an
initial claim for SSI payments or a
redetermination of existing recipients.
The collection is mandatory to ensure
that an applicant or recipient does not
have a warrant for one of the three
fleeing codes. If the respondent has a
warrant for one of the three fleeing
codes, SSA uses this information to
deny payments. The respondents are
SSI applicants and recipients, or their
representative payees, who are reporting
their status as a fugitive felon or
probation or parole violator.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection.
Modality of completion
Number of
respondents
Frequency of
response
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
Average
theoretical
hourly cost
amount
(dollars) *
Total annual
opportunity cost
(dollars) **
Fugitive Felon and Parole or Probation Violation screens
within the SSI Claims System .........................................
1,000
1
1
17
* $31.48
** $535
* We based this figure on average U.S. worker’s hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#000000).
** 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.
6. Testimony by Employees and the
Production of Records and Information
in Legal Proceedings—20 CFR 403.100–
403.155—0960–0619
Regulations at 20 CFR 403.100–
403.155 of the Code establish SSA’s
policies and procedures for an
individual; organization; or government
entity to request official agency
information, records, or testimony of an
agency employee in a legal proceeding
when the agency is not a party. The
request, which respondents submit in
writing to SSA, must: (1) fully set out
the nature and relevance of the sought
testimony; (2) explain why the
information is not available by other
Number of
respondents
Modality of completion
20 CFR 403.100–403.155 ...................................................
I
Average
burden per
response
(minutes)
Frequency of
response
I
100
1
means; (3) explain why it is in SSA’s
interest to provide the testimony; and
(4) provide the date, time, and place for
the testimony. Respondents are
individuals or entities who request
testimony from SSA employees in
connection with a legal proceeding.
Type of Request: Extension of an
OMB-approved information collection.
I
60
Average
theoretical
hourly cost
amount
(dollars) *
Estimated
total annual
burden
(hours)
I
100
I
* $31.48
Total annual
opportunity cost
(dollars) **
I
** $3,148
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* We based this figure on the average U.S. worker’s mean hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_
nat.htm#00-0000).
** 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: August 14, 2024.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security
Administration.
DEPARTMENT Of STATE
[FR Doc. 2024–18492 Filed 8–16–24; 8:45 am]
Proposed Establishment of Federally
Funded Research and Development
Centers—Third Notice
BILLING CODE 4191–02–P
[Public Notice:12495]
ACTION:
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18:07 Aug 16, 2024
Jkt 262001
PO 00000
Notice.
Frm 00088
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The United States Department
of State (DoS), Bureau of
Administration, intends to sponsor
Federally Funded Research and
Development Centers (FFRDC) to
facilitate public-private collaboration for
numerous activities related to
diplomacy and modernization. This is
the third and final notice in the series
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67141-67144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18492]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No: SSA-2024-0029]
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 two new collections for OMB approval, as well as revisions of
OMB-approved information collections.
SSA is soliciting comments on the accuracy of the agency's burden
estimate; the need for the information; its practical utility; ways to
enhance its quality, utility, and clarity; and ways to minimize burden
on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. Mail, email, or fax your
comments and recommendations on the information collection(s) to the
OMB Desk Officer and SSA Reports Clearance Officer at the following
addresses or fax numbers.
(OMB) Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA
(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 by clicking on Currently under
Review--Open for Public Comments and choosing to click on one of SSA's
published items. Please reference Docket ID Number [SSA-2024-0029] in
your submitted response.
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 18,
2024. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instruments by
writing to the above email address.
1. New Applicant Survey (NAS)--0960-NEW
Background
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides income assistance
to more than 13 million working-age adults and children with
disabilities through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. To evaluate these
respondents as they navigate SSA's application process, we are
implementing the New Applicant Survey (NAS). The objective of the New
Applicant Survey (NAS) is to provide SSA's Office of Research,
Demonstration, and Employment Support (ORDES) with information about
recent applicants' experience at different stages or touchpoints in the
disability application process. SSA will use findings from the survey
to inform testable policy interventions to improve the application
experience for applicant.
NAS Description
The primary goal of NAS is to help SSA improve our current
application process through the use of feedback from the public who use
it. The research questions and survey will allow SSA to evaluate
current practices and improve upon them. Ultimately, we expect the
purpose of this survey will help SSA to implement a better overall
application experience for respondents, as they use SSA's systems.
To provide information to SSA regarding applicants' experiences at
the different touchpoints in the disability application process, SSA's
evaluation will include the following analysis components:
Comparison of Characteristics: Comparing characteristics
of non-respondents (or the total sample) to those of respondents using
information available for both non-respondents and respondents.
Modeling: Modeling response propensity using multivariate
analyses, including observation and analysis of several outcome
variables.
Evaluation of Differences: Evaluating differences found in
comparisons between unadjusted (i.e., base-) weighted estimates of
selected sampling frame characteristics based on the survey respondents
and the corresponding population (frame) parameter.
Comparison of Estimates: Comparing weighted survey
estimates (e.g., selected error rates by type) using unadjusted (base)
weights versus nonresponse-adjusted weights.
We expect the NAS will help SSA answer the following research
questions:
What are the pre- and post-application employment
experiences of awarded and denied SSDI and SSI applicants?
What employment-, vocational-, medical-, or income-related
services and supports did applicants use leading up to and since
application?
What sources of information about SSDI or SSI did the
applicant use or have access to?
What were the applicants' experiences with representation
during the application or post-application periods?
SSA will conduct this survey with 10,000 respondents nationally.
SSA will provide a list of recent adult applicants who have applied for
Social Security disability benefits to the contractor to use for sample
selection. To ensure that sampled applicants have recent experiences
with the application process, we will restrict the target population to
those who have applied, appealed, or received a determination in the
six months prior to sampling. The sample will include individuals to
whom SSA awarded benefits (beneficiaries), those to whom SSA denied
benefits, as well as applicants who remain at different stages of the
application process.
For this survey, we will use the following methods for recruitment:
SSA Announcement
Email to Appointed Representative from Appointed
Representative Associations
Email to Appointed Representative (Directly)
First USPS Mailing to All Applicants, which will include a
small cash incentive of $2, a letter, and an information sheet
Second USPS Mailing to All Applicants
Third USPS Mailing to Nonrespondents
Fourth USPS Mailing to Nonrespondents
Fifth contact introducing the telephone modality.
As part of recruitment, we will also conduct experiments regarding
more cash incentives, invitations to complete the survey using multiple
modalities (internet, paper, telephone), as well as an early-bird
incentive.
The Survey Instrument
The survey asks questions that focus on the applicant's experience
with different aspects of the application process. We will use it to
collect data
[[Page 67142]]
from 10,000 new applicants at different touchpoints in the application
process to understand applicant experiences at each stage and obtain
the information needed to address the research questions.
To accommodate respondent preferences, we will create three
modalities of the survey instrument: internet-based, automated-
telephone, and paper. The internet and telephone versions will have
essentially the same design as these modalities use dynamic pathing,
which facilitate the automatic skipping of questions based on the
respondents' earlier responses. We will include instructions and
formatting on the paper instrument which will also allow the
respondents to skip questions based on previous responses; however,
they will be able to see all of the questions (which is not the case on
the internet and telephone versions).
The survey questions will focus on the following applicant
experiences:
Touchpoints in the application process completed and
applicants' experience with the most recent touchpoints;
Use of appointed representatives;
Actions taken when applicants receive an unfavorable SSA
decision;
Use of and experience with SSA services;
Recommendations for improvements to the application
process;
Personal financial environment including use of assistance
programs;
Personal support system; and
Demographic information
SSA will use the information we collect from this survey to
understand applicants' experiences at different stages in the
application process, as well as the types of SSA services applicants
accessed, and to evaluate changes to the application process that could
potentially improve applicants' experience. We will encourage
respondents to complete the survey via the internet modality, but will
not restrict them, or penalize respondents who choose a different
method (paper or telephone). We will require informed consent for all
participants.
Ultimately, we expect the purpose of this survey will help SSA to
implement a better overall application experience for respondents, as
they use SSA's systems.
The respondents are current SSA beneficiaries who have undergone
the application process; individuals to whom SSA denied benefits;
applicants for Social Security services in various stages of the
application process, and their representatives (as applicable).
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 cost
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount (dollars) **
(dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Survey (including informed consent and 5,000 1 35 2,917 $7.25 $21,148
screener)...........................................
Paper Survey (including informed consent and 3,500 1 35 2,280 7.25 16,530
screener)...........................................
Telephone Survey (including informed consent and 1,500 1 40 1,000 7.25 7,250
screener)...........................................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................................... 10,000 .............. .............. 6,197 .............. 44,928
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We base this figure on the Federal minimum wage of $7.25, as survey participants will have recently applied for SSA disability benefits and will
typically not have started receiving benefits yet (https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/minimumwage).
Note: Our contractor will schedule an appointment to call the recipient at their preferred date and time; therefore, the respondents will not incur an
average wait time.
** 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. Statutory Benefit Continuation Election Statement--20 CFR 404.1597a,
and 416.996--0960-NEW
Sections 223(g) and 1631(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (Act)
provide that, when a disability Title II beneficiary or Title XVI
recipient requests an appeal of a Social Security Administration's
(SSA) determination stating that their physical or mental impairment(s)
ceased, never existed, or is no longer disabling during a continuing
disability review (CDR), the individual has the right to request
disability benefits continue during their appeal. This process, known
as Statutory Benefit Continuation (SBC), follows regulations set forth
in 20 CFR 404.1597a(f) and 416.996(c-d) of the Code of Federal
Regulations (Code). Currently, when SSA determines an individual's
disability ceased or is no longer disabling, SSA sends the individual a
notice of benefit termination informing them within 10 days after
receipt of the notice their disability benefits will end, and they must
submit in writing, or use Form SSA-795, Statement of Claimant or Other
Person (OMB No. 0960-0045), to complete a statement to elect or decline
continuation of benefits. However, Form SSA-795 does not specifically
address SBC elections, which often leads to incomplete submissions for
those cases. For SBC cases, SSA's field office staff frequently need to
follow-up with individuals to clarify their election or explain the
available options. The SBC election is effective until SSA makes the
determination or decision at the applicable appeal level. SSA requires
the individual to make a separate election at each level of appeal,
through the hearing level before an administrative law judge (ALJ). SBC
is not available at the appeals council (AC) or federal court levels;
however, if the AC remands a case back to the ALJ hearing level, and
the individual did not previously elect SBC, SSA grants the individual
another opportunity to make an SBC election at that time. If the
individual elected SBC at a prior ALJ hearing level, the field office
(FO) automatically reinstates SBC after the AC sends the case to the
hearing office. The FO reinstates benefits retroactive to the first
month of non-payment resulting from the now vacated prior ALJ decision.
A claimant has two opportunities to elect SBC during the appeal
process: (1) the claimant can request SBC when appealing at the
reconsideration level and then again at the hearing level, and (2) the
claimant can request SBC at the hearing level only.
The following are eligible for SCB: SSI recipients whose benefits
are based on disability or blindness; primary disability insurance
beneficiaries; auxiliaries receiving benefits on the record of a
primary disability beneficiary, disabled widow or widowers, disabled
adult children; mothers or fathers receiving benefits based on having a
disabled adult child in their care, and mothers or fathers receiving
benefits based on having in their care a child under age 18 but over
[[Page 67143]]
age 15 who is disabled and receiving child's benefits.
SSA is requesting OMB approval of Form SSA-792, Statutory Benefit
Continuation Election Statement to standardize our collection of an
individual's benefit continuation election choice. Form SSA-792 will
allow the individual to elect from a variety of options available to
them for continued disability benefits and Medicare coverage. The
respondents are Title II and Title XVI disability beneficiaries and
recipients and Title II auxiliaries.
Type of Request: Request for a new information collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average burden Estimated theoretical Average wait Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response total annual hourly cost time in field opportunity cost
respondents response (minutes) burden (hours) amount office (dollars) ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconsideration Appeal Level: Form 60,038 1 40 40,025 * $22.39 ** 24 *** $1,433,856
SSA-792.............................
Hearing Appeal Level: Form SSA-792... 17,107 1 40 11,405 * 22.39 ** 24 *** 408,573
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................... 77,145 .............. .............. 51,430 .............. .............. *** 1,842,429
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on the average of both DI payments based on SSA's current FY 2024 data (https://mwww.ba.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.pdf),
and 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 the average FY 2024 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.
3. Disability Report--Appeal--20 CFR 404.1512, 416.912, 404.916(c),
416.1416(c), 422.140, 404.1713, 416.1513, 404.1740(b)(4),
416.1540(b)(4), and 405 Subpart C--0960-0144
SSA requires disability applicants who wish to appeal an
unfavorable determination to complete Form SSA-3441-BK; the associated
Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS) interview; or the internet
application, i3441. This allows claimants to disclose any changes to
their disability, or resources, which might influence SSA's unfavorable
determination. SSA may use the information to: (1) reconsider and
review an initial disability determination; (2) review a continuing
disability; and (3) evaluate a request for a hearing. This information
assists the State Disability Determination Services (DDS) and ALJ in
preparing for the appeals and hearings, and in issuing a determination
or decision on an individual's entitlement (initial or continuing) to
disability benefits. In addition, the information we collect on the
SSA-3441-BK, or related modalities, facilitates SSA's collection of
medical information to support the applicant's request for
reconsideration; request for benefits cessation appeal; and request for
a hearing before an ALJ. Respondents are individuals who appeal denial,
reduction, or cessation of Social Security disability benefits and
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments; individuals who wish to
request a hearing before an ALJ; or their representatives.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average wait
Average time in field
Number of Frequency of Average burden Estimated theoretical office and Total annual
Modality of completion respondents response per response total annual hourly cost teleservice opportunity cost
(minutes) burden (hours) amount wait time (dollars) ***
(dollars) * (minutes) **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSA-3441-BK (Paper Form)............. 22,556 1 45 16,917 * $22.40 ** 24 *** $581,034
Electronic Disability Collect System 208,831 1 45 156,623 * 13.30 ** 24 *** 3,194,062
(EDCS)--Individuals.................
Electronic Disability Collect System 71,652 1 45 53,739 * 31.48 ** 19 *** 12,405,985
(EDCS)--Representatives.............
i3441 (Internet Application)-- 109,598 1 28 51,146 * 13.30 .............. *** 680,242
Individuals.........................
i3441 (Internet Application)-- 656,424 1 28 306,331 *31.48 .............. *** 9,643,300
Representatives.....................
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................... 1,069,061 .............. .............. 584,756 .............. .............. *** 26,504,623
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based these figures on average DI hourly wages for single students based on SSA's current FY 2024 data (https://mwww.ba.ssa.gov/legislation/2024FactSheet.pdf) and average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm), as well as a combination of those two figures (for the paper form, as we do not collect data on whether the paper forms are filled out
by individuals or representatives or both).
** We based this figure on the average FY 2024 wait times for field offices, and the average teleservice wait time 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.
4. Request for 800# Automated Telephone Services Knowledge-Based
Authentication (RISA-KBA)--20 CFR 401.45--0960-0596
The Request for 800# Automated Telephone Services Knowledge-Based
Authentication is the knowledge-based authentication method SSA uses to
allow individuals access to their personal information through our
Automated Telephone Services. SSA's system asks requestors using the
automated telephone services to provide additional identifying
information unique to those individuals so SSA can authenticate their
identities before releasing personal information. The system requests
this unique identifying information to authenticate both individuals
and third parties who use our automated telephone system to seek
personal information from SSA records, or to make changes to SSA
records. The respondents are current beneficiaries, or
[[Page 67144]]
third parties who use the automated telephone system to request
personal information from SSA.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average burden Estimated total theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden hourly cost opportunity cost
respondents response (minutes) (hours) amount (dollars) **
(dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automated Telephone Requestors................. 1,716,315 1 4 114,421 * $31.48 ** $3,601,973
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based these figures on average U.S. citizen's hourly salary, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm).
** 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.
5. Prohibition of Payment of SSI Benefits to Fugitive Felons and
Parole/Probation Violators--20 CFR 416.708(o)--0960-0617
Section 1611(e)(4) of the Act precludes eligibility for SSI
payments for certain fugitives and probation or parole violators. Our
regulation at 20 CFR 416.708(o) requires individuals applying for, or
receiving SSI to report to SSA that: (1) they are fleeing to avoid
prosecution for a crime; (2) they are fleeing to avoid custody or
confinement after conviction of a crime; or (3) they are violating a
condition of probation or parole. SSA uses the information we receive
to determine eligibility on an initial claim for SSI payments or a
redetermination of existing recipients. The collection is mandatory to
ensure that an applicant or recipient does not have a warrant for one
of the three fleeing codes. If the respondent has a warrant for one of
the three fleeing codes, SSA uses this information to deny payments.
The respondents are SSI applicants and recipients, or their
representative payees, who are reporting their status as a fugitive
felon or probation or parole violator.
Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average burden Estimated total theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden hourly cost opportunity cost
respondents response (minutes) (hours) amount (dollars) **
(dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fugitive Felon and Parole or Probation 1,000 1 1 17 * $31.48 ** $535
Violation screens within the SSI Claims System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on 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).
** 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.
6. Testimony by Employees and the Production of Records and Information
in Legal Proceedings--20 CFR 403.100-403.155--0960-0619
Regulations at 20 CFR 403.100-403.155 of the Code establish SSA's
policies and procedures for an individual; organization; or government
entity to request official agency information, records, or testimony of
an agency employee in a legal proceeding when the agency is not a
party. The request, which respondents submit in writing to SSA, must:
(1) fully set out the nature and relevance of the sought testimony; (2)
explain why the information is not available by other means; (3)
explain why it is in SSA's interest to provide the testimony; and (4)
provide the date, time, and place for the testimony. Respondents are
individuals or entities who request testimony from SSA employees in
connection with a legal proceeding.
Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information
collection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Average burden Estimated total theoretical Total annual
Modality of completion Number of Frequency of per response annual burden hourly cost opportunity cost
respondents response (minutes) (hours) amount (dollars) **
(dollars) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 CFR 403.100-403.155......................... 100 1 60 100 * $31.48 ** $3,148
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We based this figure on the average U.S. worker's mean hourly wages, as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000).
** 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: August 14, 2024.
Naomi Sipple,
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-18492 Filed 8-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P
