Social Security Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to update our hearing regulations by changing the terms ``video teleconference'' to ``video''; changing ``telephone'' to ``audio''; and permitting ``video'' and ``audio'' to be used as standard manners of appearance. These changes would clarify that claimants may appear for hearings remotely, using private electronic devices that we do not own, operate, or approve. The proposed changes would also make clear that a claimant may appear for a hearing using approved online video conferencing applications, rather than conferencing options using equipment that we own or approve. Additionally, while our current regulations permit us to schedule claimants to appear by telephone in limited circumstances only, we propose to schedule claimants to appear by audio without similar restrictions, if the claimant does not object to appearing in that manner. We expect that these changes would provide us and claimants with additional flexibility, which would allow us to manage our hearing process more efficiently.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is announcing a change in the subscription tier structure and associated fees for the electronic Consent Based Social Security Number (SSN) Verification (eCBSV) service. In accordance with statutory requirements, a permitted entity (PE) is required to provide payment to reimburse SSA for the development and support of the eCBSV system.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, we are issuing public notice of our intent to modify an existing system of records entitled, Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Demonstration Projects and Experiments System (60-0218), last published on January 11, 2006. This notice publishes details of the modified system as set forth below under the caption, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a new matching program with the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Under this matching program, RRB, as the source agency, will disclose RRB annuity payment data to SSA, the recipient agency. SSA will use the information to verify Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Special Veterans Benefits (SVB) eligibility and benefit payment amounts. SSA will also record the railroad annuity amounts RRB paid to SSI and SVB recipients in the Supplemental Security Income Record (SSR).

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a new matching program with the United States Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Under this matching program, the IRS will disclose IRS to SSA certain return information for the purpose of establishing the correct amount of Medicare Part B premium subsidy adjustments and Medicare Part D premium increases provided under the Social Security Act (Act), the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Medicare Modernization Act), and the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA).

The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Evidence Act) requires Federal agencies to develop an evidence- building plan, referred to as a Learning Agenda, to identify and address policy questions relevant to agency programs, policies, and regulations. Through this Request for Information (RFI), we seek public input to help us expand our ongoing efforts to update and revise priority questions from our evidence-building activities.

We are revising our rules regarding service of legal process in lawsuits involving judicial review of final decisions of the Commissioner of Social Security on individual claims for benefits under title II, VIII, or XVI of the Social Security Act (Act) or individual claims for a Medicare Part D subsidy under title XVIII of the Act. We are revising our rules to provide that when summonses and complaints in these lawsuits are mailed, they should be sent to a central address, regardless of where the lawsuit is filed. We will also accept electronic service in these suits in accordance with the new Supplemental Rules for Social Security Actions, added to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) effective December 1, 2022. Additionally, we are updating our headquarters address; removing obsolete references and past jurisdictional responsibilities of regional Office of the General Counsel (OGC) offices, which no longer exist; and making other minor editorial changes. We expect that these changes will make the service of process for affected cases more streamlined and consistent with the FRCP.

We are announcing the assessment percentage rate under the Social Security Act (Act) is 6.3 percent for 2023.

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 Services, Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE). Under this matching program, OCSE will provide SSA with quarterly wage (QW) and unemployment insurance (UI) information located in the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) to allow SSA to determine eligibility of applicants for Extra Help (low-income subsidy assistance) under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003. This agreement assists SSA in determining eligibility of applicants for Extra Help, redetermining eligibility of existing Extra Help beneficiaries during periodic screening, and administering the Extra Help program.

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a new matching program with the Railroad Board (RRB). Under this matching program, the RRB will disclose to SSA information necessary to verify an individual's self-certification of eligibility for the Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs program (Extra Help). It will also enable SSA to identify individuals who may qualify for Extra Help as part of the agency's Medicare outreach efforts.

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a new matching program with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration. Under this matching program, VA will provide SSA with VA compensation and pension payment data. SSA will use the data to determine the eligibility or amount of payment for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Special Veterans Benefit (SVB) recipients. SSA will also identify the income of individuals who may be eligible for Medicare cost-sharing assistance through the Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) as part of the agency's Medicare outreach efforts.