Social Security Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule adopts, without change, the interim final rule with request for comments we published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2012, at 77 FR 1862. The interim final rule modified our rules so that we may send a Ticket to Work (Ticket) to Ticket to Work program (Ticket program)-eligible disabled beneficiaries. Under our previous rules, we mailed initial Ticket notices to all Ticket-eligible beneficiaries immediately after they began receiving benefits, regardless of whether they were likely to participate in the program. This change did not affect Ticket eligibility requirements.

We are extending our pilot program that authorizes the agency to set the time and place for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This final rule will extend the pilot program for 1 year. The extension of the pilot program continues our commitment to improve the efficiency of our hearing process and maintain a hearing process that results in accurate, high-quality decisions for claimants. The current pilot program will expire on August 9, 2013. In this final rule, we are extending the effective date to August 9, 2014. We are making no other substantive changes.

We are announcing the extension of tests involving modifications to disability determination procedures authorized by 20 CFR 404.906 and 416.1406. These rules authorize us to test several modifications to the disability determination procedures for adjudicating claims for disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Act) and for supplemental security income payments based on disability under title XVI of the Act.

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer matching program that we are currently conducting internally.

We propose to revise our rules to protect the integrity of our programs and preserve limited resources. Prior to scheduling a hearing, we will notify the claimant that his or her hearing may be held by video teleconferencing. The claimant will have an opportunity to object to appearing by video teleconferencing within 30 days after the date he or she receives the notice. We also propose changes that allow us to determine that a claimant will appear via video teleconferencing if he or she changes residences while his or her request for hearing is pending, regardless of whether or not the claimant previously declined a hearing by video teleconferencing. Additionally, we propose changes that require a claimant to notify us, in writing, of an objection to the time and place of hearing at the earliest opportunity, but not later than 5 days before the date set for the hearing, or, if earlier, 30 days after receiving the notice of the hearing. We also propose to revise our rules so that an administrative law judge (ALJ) can direct a claimant and any other party to a hearing to appear by telephone in extraordinary circumstances. We anticipate that these proposed changes will have a minimal impact on the public, and will help ensure the integrity of our programs and allow us to administer our programs more efficiently.

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer matching program that we are currently conducting with RRB.

This final rule is another step in our continual efforts to handle workloads more effectively and efficiently. We are publishing final rules for portions of the rules we proposed in October 2007 that relate to persons, other than the claimant or any other party to the hearing, appearing by telephone. We are also clarifying that the administrative law judge (ALJ) will allow the claimant or any other party to a hearing to appear by telephone under certain circumstances when the claimant or other party requests to make his or her appearance in that manner. We expect that these final rules will make the hearings process more efficient and help us continue to reduce the hearings backlog. In addition, we made some minor editorial changes to our regulations that do not have any effect on the rights of claimants or any other parties.

The Social Security Administration published a document in the Federal Register of March 28, 2013, in FR Doc. 2013-06975, on page 18842, in the second column, under c., in the equation in the last sentence, replace ``-16[radic]'' with ``[verbar]-16[verbar]''.

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 modify the system of records entitled, Master Representative Payee File, 60-0222 (hereinafter referred to as the Representative Payee SOR). We propose modifying the categories of records, record source categories, and adding two new routine uses to the Representative Payee SOR. We propose adding criminal history information and representative payee annual accounting reports to the categories of records. We propose adding third parties, contractors, other Federal agencies, and SSA's Prisoner Update Processing System of Records, 60-0269 as new record source categories. The first new routine use will allow us to disclose representative payee (RP) and RP applicant personally identifiable information (PII) to conduct criminal background checks. The second routine use will allow us to disclose RP and RP applicant PII to Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and private security contractors to protect the safety of SSA employees and customers or assist in the investigation or prosecution of activities that disrupt the operation of SSA facilities. We discuss the revisions to the categories of records in the system, the record source categories, and the routine uses in detail in the Supplementary Information section below. We invite public comment on this proposal.

The Social Security Administration published a document in the Federal Register of January 29, 2013, in FR Doc. 2013-01833, on page 6171, in the third column, the last line of the document change ``30 days'' to ``60 days''.

The Social Security Administration published a document in the Federal Register on February 20, 2013. (78 FR 11939). On page 11940, in the first column, under the ``CITATIONS'' section, replace the period after 1614(a) with a comma, and remove the additional space between 416.927 and the comma. On page 11941, in the ``DAA Evaluation Process'' chart, in step 6 b, add a period after ``material''. On page 11942, in the second column, under section e. i., first bullet, add a space between ``20'' and ``CFR''. On page 11943, footnote 19, replace ``20 CFR 404.1527(e) and 416.927(e)'' with the correct reference which is ``20 CFR 404.1527(d) and 416.927(d)''. On page 11943, footnote 20, replace ``20 CFR 404.1527(f) and 416.927(f)'' with the correct reference which is ``20 CFR 404.1527(e) and 416.927(e)''. On page 11944, first column, question 8. ``What evidence do we need in cases involving DAA?'', a., italicize the subheading ``General'', and in the first sentence add a period at the end of the sentence. On page 11944, second column, under c. i., third sentence, hyphenate ``nonmedical'' to read ``non-medical''. On page 11944, third column, under c. ii, third sentence, delete ``the'' before ``well''. On page 11944, third column, under d. i., first sentence, hyphenate ``nonmedical'' to read ``non-medical''. On page 11944, footnote 22, replace ``404.928'' with ``404.1528''. On page 11945, second column, c. iii., second sentence, remove the extra space after ``abstinence'' and before the period. On page 11946, second column, first bullet, replace the semi-colon with a period. On page 11946, second column, under ``15. How should adjudicators consider Federal district and circuit court decisions about DAA?'', first sentence, replace ``20 CFR 404.1585 and 416.985'' with ``20 CFR 404.985 and 416.1485'', and under a., italicize the subheading ``General''.

The Social Security Administration published a document in the Federal Register of March 12, 2013, in FR Doc. 2013-05595, on page 15797, in the third column; in the SUMMARY caption insert the following hyper-links. In the first sentence after the words, ``Service Delivery Plan (SDP) insert https://www.ssa.gov/open/SDP. In addition, in the third sentence after the words ``Agency Strategic Plan'' insert https://ssa.gov/asp/plan-2013-2016.pdf.

We are requesting public input as we finalize our Service Delivery Plan (SDP). We designed our SDP as a roadmap for how we will serve the public over the next decade. The SDP explains how we will build on our achievements, accommodate our resource constraints, and achieve the goals and objectives laid out in our Agency Strategic Plan.

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, (5 U.S.C. 552a), this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer matching program that we are currently conducting with IRS.

In accordance with 20 CFR 402.35(b)(2), 404.985(e) and 416.1485(e), the Commissioner of Social Security gives notice of the rescission of Social Security AR 92-2(6).

The Social Security Administration published a document in the Federal Register of January 29, 2013, in FR Doc. 2013-01833, on page 6168, in the third column; correct the DATES caption to read:

We are requesting information from the public regarding whether we should prohibit persons who have been convicted of certain crimes from serving as representative payees under titles II, VIII, and XVI of the Social Security Act (Act). We are seeking this information in order to determine the best way to protect our beneficiaries from persons whose criminal history indicates they may pose an increased risk of abuse or exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

The Social Security Administration published a document in the Federal Register of January 29, 2013, in FR Doc. 2013-01833, on page 6168, in the third column, the fourth line under the ``Summary'' heading, change ``SSR-13-Xp'' to ``SSR-13-1p''

We propose to revise the criteria in the Listing of Impairments (listings) that we use to evaluate claims involving genitourinary disorders in adults and children under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (Act). The proposed revisions reflect our program experience, advances in methods of evaluating genitourinary disorders, and comments we received in response to an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM).