Social Security Administration October 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under title II of the Social Security Act (Act), there will be a 1.3 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits effective December 2020. In addition, the national average wage index for 2019 is $54,099.99. The cost-of-living increase and national average wage index affect other program parameters as described below.

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a new matching program with the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). This matching program sets forth the terms, safeguards, and procedures under which 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 return information to SSA to administer benefits to qualified aged, blind and disabled individuals.

In accordance with our rules, we are announcing a new requirement for representatives who request direct fee payment. A representative must submit all evidence electronically in claims for Social Security disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Act), and claims for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments based on disability under title XVI of the Act, if the representative requests direct fee payment on that claim; the claim or case has an electronic folder; and the claim is pending at the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) or the Appeals Council. We expect electronic submission of this evidence will benefit claimants, representatives, and the Social Security Administration by improving our administrative efficiency and workload management, both during our COVID-19 health protocols and beyond.