Social Security Administration June 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are publishing final rules that amend the rules for the continuation of disability benefit payments under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (the Act) to certain individuals who recover medically while participating in an appropriate vocational rehabilitation (VR) program with a State vocational rehabilitation agency. We are amending these rules to conform with statutory amendments that extend eligibility for these continued benefit payments to certain individuals who recover medically while participating in an appropriate program of services. These include individuals participating in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program or another program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support services approved by the Commissioner of Social Security. We are also extending eligibility for these continued benefit payments to students age 18 through 21 who recover medically, or whose disability is determined to have ended as a result of an age- 18 redetermination, while participating in an individualized education program developed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act with an appropriate provider of services. Providers of services we may approve include a public or private organization with expertise in the delivery or coordination of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support services; or a public, private or parochial school that provides or coordinates a program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support services carried out under an individualized program or plan.

The Social Security Administration published a document in the Federal Register on June 14, 2005, establishing a new system of records, the National Docketing Management Information System. The document contained an error in the system number.

We propose to revise our regulations that pertain to the processing of claims for disability benefits under title II and title XVI of the Social Security Act (the Act). The proposed revisions would make the language in the rules we use under title II of the Act for making findings about medical equivalence consistent with the language in the rules that we use under title XVI of the Act. The proposed revisions would also clarify our rules about the evidence we use when we make findings about medical equivalence for adults and children. We also propose to update and clarify our rules that explain the Listing of Impairments (the listings) and how your impairment(s) can meet a listing.

In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) and (e)(11)), we are issuing public notice of our intent to establish a new system of records entitled, the National Docketing Management Information System (NDMIS) and routine uses applicable to this system of records. Hereinafter, we will refer to the proposed system of records as the NDMIS. We invite public comments on this proposal.