Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program, 106720-106721 [2024-31294]

Agencies

• Social Security Administration

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 249 (Monday, December 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 106720-106721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31294]



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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA-2024-0043]


Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of a new matching program.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as 
amended, this notice announces a new matching program with the United 
States Department of Health and Human Service, the Office of Child 
Support Services (OCSS). Under this matching program, OCSS will provide 
SSA with online query access to the National Directory of New Hires 
(NDNH) for administration of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI), 
Disability Insurance (DI), and Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency 
(Ticket) programs, and will provide SSA with quarterly wage and 
unemployment insurance data from NDNH through a batch match for 
administration of the SSI program.

DATES: The deadline to submit comments on the proposed matching program 
is January 29, 2025.
    The matching program will be applicable on January 29, 2025, or 
once a minimum of 30 days after publication of this notice has elapsed, 
whichever is later. The matching program will be in effect for a period 
of 18 months.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any one of three methods--
internet, fax, or mail. Do not submit the same comments multiple times 
or by more than one method. Regardless of which method you choose, 
please state that your comments refer to Docket No. SSA-2024-0043 so 
that we may associate your comments with the correct regulation.
    Caution: You should be careful to include in your comments only 
information that you wish to make publicly available. We strongly urge 
you not to include in your comments any personal information, such as 
Social Security numbers or medical information.
    1. Internet: We strongly recommend that you submit your comments 
via the internet. Please visit the Federal eRulemaking portal at 
https://www.regulations.gov. Use the Search function to find docket 
number SSA-2024-0043 and then submit your comments. The system will 
issue you a tracking number to confirm your submission. You will not be 
able to view your comment immediately because we must post each 
submission manually. It may take up to a week for your comments to be 
viewable.
    2. Fax: Fax comments to (833) 410-1613.
    3. Mail: Matthew Ramsey, Executive Director, Office of Privacy and 
Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, Social Security 
Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, or 
emailing [email protected]. Comments are also available for public 
viewing on the Federal eRulemaking portal at https://www.regulations.gov or in person, during regular business hours, by 
arranging with the contact person identified below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested parties may submit general 
questions about the matching program to Cynthia Scott, Division 
Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General 
Counsel, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, at telephone: (410) 966-1943, or send an 
email to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: None.

Matthew Ramsey,
Executive Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the 
General Counsel.

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES:
    SSA and OCSS.

AUTHORITY FOR CONDUCTING THE MATCHING PROGRAM:
    The legal authorities for disclosures under this agreement are the 
Act and the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. Section 453(j)(4) of the 
Social Security Act (Act) provides that OCSS shall provide the 
Commissioner of Social Security with all information in the NDNH. 42 
U.S.C. 653(j)(4). SSA has authority to use data to determine 
entitlement and eligibility for, and to conduct, programs it 
administers pursuant to 1631(e)(1)(B) and (f) (SSI), 224(h) (DI), 1148 
(Ticket) of the Act. 42 U.S.C. 1383(e)(1)(B) and (f), 42 U.S.C. 
424a(h), and 42 U.S.C. 1320b-19, and 222(d) (Rehabilitation Services), 
42 U.S.C. 422(d), and 1615(d) and (e), 42 U.S.C. 1382d(d) and (e). 
Disclosures under this agreement shall be made in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552a(b)(3), and in compliance with the matching procedures in 5 
U.S.C 552a(o), (p), and (r).
    With respect to the SSI program, subsection 1631(f) of the Act (42 
U.S.C. 1383(f)) provides that ``the head of any federal agency shall 
provide such information as the Commissioner of Social Security needs 
for purposes of determining eligibility for or amount of benefits, or 
verifying information with respect thereto.''
    With respect to the DI program, subsection 224(h) of the Act (42 
U.S.C. 424a(h)) provides that ``the head of any Federal agency shall 
provide such information within its possession as the Commissioner of 
Social Security may require for purposes of making a timely 
determination of the amount of the reduction, if any, required by this 
section in benefits payable under this subchapter, or verifying other 
information necessary in carrying out the provisions of this section.''
    With respect to the Ticket program, subsections 1148(b)(4)(d), and 
(h) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b-19(b)(4), (d), and (h)) require SSA to 
verify earnings of beneficiaries and recipients to make payments to 
employment network providers under the Ticket program. With respect to 
cost-reimbursement payments to State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) 
Agencies for services to beneficiaries outside of the Ticket program, 
subsections 222(d) and 1615(d) and (e) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 422(d), 
1382d(d) and (e)) requires SSA to verify earnings of beneficiaries and 
recipients to ensure accurate payments.

PURPOSE(S):
    This agreement governs a matching program between OCSS and SSA. The 
agreement covers the following information exchange operations wherein 
OCSS will provide SSA with online query access to the NDNH for 
administration of SSI, DI, and Ticket programs, and will provide SSA 
with quarterly wage and unemployment insurance data from NDNH through a 
batch match for administration of the SSI program.
    The Commissioner of Social Security is required to verify 
eligibility of a recipient or applicant for SSI using independent or 
collateral sources. SSI benefits may not be determined solely based on 
declarations by the applicant concerning eligibility factors or other 
relevant facts. Information is also obtained, as necessary, in order to 
assure that SSI benefits are only provided to eligible individuals (or 
eligible spouses) and that the amounts of such benefits are correct. 
Section 1631(e)(1)(B) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(e)(1)(B)). The 
Commissioner of Social Security may review DI benefits to determine if 
a reduction in benefits is required based on wages or self-employment. 
Section 224(h) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 424a(h)).
    The Commissioner also evaluates the work activity (employment and 
earnings levels) of DI and SSI beneficiaries as a basis to make 
payments to Employment Networks and State VR Agencies under the Ticket 
program Public Law (Pub. L.) 106-170 and to State VR Agencies pursuant 
to the State VR reimbursement

[[Page 106721]]

program, subsections 222(d) and 1615(d) and (e) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 
422(d), 1382d(d) and (e).
    This agreement assists SSA in:
    (1) establishing or verifying eligibility or payment amounts, or 
both under the SSI program;
    (2) establishing or verifying eligibility or continuing entitlement 
under the DI program; and
    (3) administering the Ticket program.
    These activities include overpayment avoidance and recovery for all 
three programs. SSA evaluates the cost-benefits, including programmatic 
and operational impact, which NDNH information has on SSA programs and 
operations. OCSS and SSA have been parties to matching agreements and 
recertification for these purposes since 2001.
    SSA will use the NDNH comparison information stored in SSA 
electronic folders, paper folders, and obtained through online query of 
the NDNH to administer the SSI, DI, and Ticket programs efficiently, as 
set forth in this agreement. SSA will make the online request through 
its authorized query applications. This query will submit the request 
through OCSS' web service. SSA's use of authorized query applications 
to access the OCSS web service is understood by OCSS and SSA to apply 
throughout the agreement. This agreement also governs the use, 
treatment, and safeguarding of the information exchanged.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS:
    The individuals whose information is involved in this matching 
program are individuals who are applicants or recipients of Title II, 
Title XVI, Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency programs.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS:
    SSA will provide electronically to OCSS the following data elements 
in the finder file:
     Individual's Social Security number (SSN); and
     Name (first, middle, last)
    For the Quarterly Batch Match (SSI), OCSS will provide 
electronically to SSA the following data elements from the NDNH in the 
quarterly wage file:
     Quarterly wage record identifier
     For employees:

    (1) Name (first, middle, last)
    (2) SSN
    (3) Verification request code
    (4) Processed date
    (5) Non-verifiable indicator
    (6) Wage amount
    (7) Reporting period

     For employers of individuals in the quarterly wage file of 
the NDNH:

    (1) Name
    (2) Employer identification number
    (3) Address(es)
     Transmitter agency code
     Transmitter state code
     State or agency name

    OCSS will provide electronically to SSA the following data elements 
from the NDNH in the unemployment insurance file:

     Unemployment insurance record identifier
     Processed date
     SSN
     Verification request code
     Name (first, middle, last)
     Address
     Unemployment insurance benefit amount
     Reporting period
     Transmitter agency code
     Transmitter state code
     State or agency name

    Online Query Access (SSI, DI, and Ticket programs). Data elements 
on quarterly wage screen:

     Quarterly wage record identifier
     Date report processed
     Name/SSN verified
     For Employees:
    (1) SSN
    (2) Name (first, middle, last)
    (3) Date of hire
     For Employers:
    (1) Name
    (2) Employer identification number
    (3) Employer Federal Information Processing System (FIPS) code (if 
present)
    (4) Address(es)

    Data elements on the new hire screen:

     New hire record identifier
     Name/SSN verified
     Date report processed
     For Employees
    (1) Name
    (2) Employer identification number
    (3) Employer FIPS code (if present)
    (4) Address(es)

    Data elements on the unemployment insurance screen:

     Unemployment insurance record identifier
     Name/SSN verified
     SSN
     Name (first, middle, last)
     Address
     Unemployment insurance benefit amount
     Reporting period
     Payer state
     Date report processed

SYSTEM(S) OF RECORDS:
    SSA's System of Records (SOR) are the Supplemental Security Income 
Record and Special Veterans Benefits (SSR), 60-0103, last fully 
published at 71 FR 1830 (January 11, 2006) and amended at 72 FR 69723 
(December 10, 2007), 83 FR 31250-31251 (July 3, 2018), 83 FR 54969 
(November 1, 2018), at 89 FR 825 (January 5, 2024), and at 89 FR 14554 
(February 27, 2024); the Completed Determination Record-Continuing 
Disability Determination file (CDR-CDD), 60-0050, last fully published 
at 71 FR 1813 (January 11, 2006), amended at 72 FR 69723 (December 10, 
2007), 83 FR 54969 (November 1, 2018), 84 FR 17907 (April 26, 2019), 
and at 89 FR 825 (January 5, 2024; the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR), 
60-0090, last fully published at 71 FR 1826 (January 11, 2006), amended 
at 72 FR 69723 (December 10, 2007), 78 FR 40542 (July 5, 2013), 83 FR 
31250-31251 (July 3, 2018), and 83 FR 54969 (November 1, 2018), at 89 
FR 825 (January 5, 2024), and at 89 FR 14554 (February 27, 2024); the 
Electronic Disability (eDIB) Claim File, (60-0320) last fully published 
at 85 FR 34477 (June 4, 2020), and at 89 FR 14554 (February 27, 2024); 
the Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency Program Payment Database, (60-
0295) last fully published at 66 FR 17985 (April 4, 2001), and amended 
at 72 FR 69723 (December 10, 2007), 83 FR 54969 (November 1, 2018), and 
at 89 FR 825 (January 5, 2024); and the Ticket-to-Work Program Manager 
(PM) Management Information System, (60-0300) last fully published at 
66 FR 32656 (June 15, 2001), and amended at 72 FR 69723 (December 10, 
2007), 83 FR 54969 (November 1, 2018), and at 89 FR 825 (January 5, 
2024).
    OCSE's SOR is the OCSE National Directory of New Hires, System No. 
09-80-0381 published in full at 89 FR 25625 (April 11, 2024).
[FR Doc. 2024-31294 Filed 12-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P