Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request

The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection packages requiring clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with Public Law 104-13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, effective October 1, 1995. This notice includes revisions of OMB-approved information collections.

SSA is soliciting comments on the accuracy of the agency's burden estimate; the need for the information; its practical utility; ways to enhance its quality, utility, and clarity; and ways to minimize burden on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Mail, email, or fax your comments and recommendations on the information collection(s) to the OMB Desk Officer and SSA Reports Clearance Officer at the following addresses or fax numbers.

(OMB), Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA, Fax: 202-395-6974, Email address: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov.

(SSA), Social Security Administration, OLCA, Attn: Reports Clearance Director, 3100 West High Rise, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235, Fax: 410-966-2830, Email address: OR.Reports.Clearance@ssa.gov.

Or you may submit your comments online through www.regulations.gov,, referencing Docket ID Number [SSA-2016-0055].

I. The information collections below are pending at SSA. SSA will submit them to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than January 17, 2017. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instruments by writing to the above email address.

1. Agreement to Sell Property—20 CFR 416.1240-416.1245—0960-0127. Individuals or couples who are otherwise eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, but whose resources exceed the allowable limit may receive conditional payments if they agree to dispose of the excess non-liquid resources and make repayments. SSA uses Form SSA-8060-U3 to document this agreement, and to ensure the individuals understand their obligations. Respondents are applicants for and recipients of SSI payments who will be disposing of excess non-liquid resources.

Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information collection.

2. Development of Participation in a Vocational Rehabilitation or Similar Program—20 CFR 404.316(c), 404.337(c), 404.352(d), 404.1586(g), 404.1596, 404.1597(a), 404.327, 404.328, 416.1321(d), 416.1331(a)-(b), and 416.1338, 416.1402—0960-0282. State Disability Determination Services (DDS) must determine if Social Security disability payment recipients whose disability ceased and who participate in vocational rehabilitation programs may continue to receive disability payments. To do this, DDSs need information about the recipients; the types of program participation; and the services they receive under the rehabilitation program. SSA uses Form SSA-4290 to collect this information. The respondents are State employment networks; vocational rehabilitation agencies; or other providers of educational or job training services.

Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information collection.

3. Appointment of Representative—20 CFR 404.1707, 404.1720, 408.1101, 416.1507, and 416.1520—0960-0527. Individuals claiming rights or benefits under the Social Security Act (Act) must notify SSA in writing when they appoint an individual to represent them in dealing with SSA. SSA collects the information on Form SSA-1696-U4 to verify the appointment of such representatives. The SSA-1696-U4 allows SSA to inform representatives of items that affect the recipient's claim, and allows claimants to give permission to their appointed representatives to designate a person to receive their claims files. Respondents are applicants for or recipients of Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) or SSI payments who are notifying SSA they have appointed a person to represent them in their dealings with SSA.

Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information collection.

4. Work Activity Report (Self-Employment)—20 CFR 404.1520(b), 20 CFR 404.1571-404.1576, 20 CFR 404.1584-404.1593, and 20 CFR 416.971-416.976—0960-0598. SSA uses Form SSA-820-U4 to determine initial or continuing eligibility for (1) Title II SSDI or (2) Title XVI SSI payments. Under Titles II and XVI of the Act, recipients receive disability benefits and SSI payments based on their inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a physical or mental condition. Therefore, when the recipients resume work, they must report their work so SSA can evaluate and determine by law whether they continue to meet the disability requirements. SSA uses Form SSA-820-U4 to obtain information on self-employment activities of Social Security Title II and XVI disability applicants and recipients. We use the data we obtain to evaluate disability claims, and to help us determine if the claimant meets current disability provisions under Titles II and XVI. Since applicants for disability benefits or payments must prove an inability to perform any kind of SGA generally available in the national economy for which we expect them to qualify based on age, education, and work experience, any work an applicant performed until, or subsequent to, the date the disability allegedly began, affects our disability determination. The respondents are applicants and claimants for SSI payments or SSDI benefits.

Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-approved information collection.