Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request and Comment 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-2016-0040].

I. The information collection below is pending at SSA. SSA will submit it 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 October 14, 2016. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instrument by writing to the above email address.

Request for Proof(s) from Custodian of Records—20 CFR 404.703, 404.704, 404.720, 404.721, 404.723, 404.725, & 404.728—0960-0766. SSA sends Form SSA-L707, Request for Proof(s) from Custodian of Records, to records custodians on behalf of individuals who need help obtaining evidence of death, marriage, or divorce in connection with claims for benefits. SSA uses the information from the SSA-L707 to determine eligibility for benefits. The respondents are records custodians including statistics and religious entities, coroners, funeral directors, attending physicians, and State agencies.

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

II. SSA submitted the information collections below to OMB for clearance. Your comments regarding the information collections would be most useful if OMB and SSA receive them 30 days from the date of this publication. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than September 14, 2016. Individuals can obtain copies of the OMB clearance packages by writing to OR.Reports.Clearance@ssa.gov.

1. Waiver of Your Right to Personal Appearance before an Administrative Law Judge—20 CFR 404.948(b)(l)(i) and 416.1448(b)(l)(i)—0960-0284. Applicants for Social Security, Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments have the statutory right to appear in person, or through a representative, and present evidence about their claims at a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). If claimants wish to waive this right to appear before an ALJ, they must do so in writing. Form HA-4608 serves as a written waiver for the claimant's right to a personal appearance before an ALJ. The ALJ uses the information we collect on Form HA-4608 to continue processing the case, and makes the completed form a part of the documentary evidence of record by placing it in the official record of the proceedings as an exhibit. Respondents are applicants or claimants for OASDI and SSI, or their representatives, who request to waive their right to appear in person before an ALJ.

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

2. Letter to Custodian of Birth Records/Letter to Custodian of School Records—20 CFR 404.704, 404.716, 416.802, and 422.107—0960-0693. When individuals need help in obtaining evidence of their age in connection with Social Security number (SSN) card applications and claims for benefits, SSA can prepare the SSA-L106, Letter to Custodian of School Records, or SSA-L706, Letter to Custodian of Birth Records. SSA uses the SSA-L706 to determine the existence of primary evidence of age of SSN applicants. SSA uses both letters to verify with the issuing entity, when necessary, the authenticity of the record submitted by the SSN applicant or claimant. The respondents are schools, State and local bureaus of vital statistics, and religious entities.

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

3. Application Status—20 CFR 401.45—0960-0763. Application Status provides users with the capability to check the status of their pending Social Security claims via the National 800 Number Automated Telephone Service. Users need their SSN and a confirmation number to access this information. SSA systems determine the type of claim(s) the caller filed based upon the information provided. Subsequently, the automated telephone system provides callers with the option to choose the claim for which they wish to obtain status. If the caller applied for multiple claims, the automated system allows the caller to select which claim to obtain status. Once callers select the claim(s) they are calling about, an automated voice advises them of the status of their claim. The respondents are current Social Security claimants who wish to check on the status of their claims.

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