Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

AGENCY:

Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION:

Notice of a new matching program.

SUMMARY:

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).

DATES:

The deadline to submit comments on the proposed matching program is April 10, 2023. The matching program will be applicable on September 2, 2023, or once a minimum of 30 days after publication of this notice has elapsed, whichever is later. The matching program will be in effect for a period of 18 months.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by any one of three methods—internet, fax, or mail. Do not submit the same comments multiple times or by more than one method. Regardless of which method you choose, please state that your comments refer to Docket No. SSA-2022-0057 so that we may associate your comments with the correct regulation. CAUTION: You should be careful to include in your comments only information that you wish to make publicly available. We strongly urge you not to include in your comments any personal information, such as Social Security numbers or medical information.

1. internet: We strongly recommend that you submit your comments via the internet. Please visit the Federal eRulemaking portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Use the Search function to find docket number SSA-2022-0057 and then submit your comments. The system will issue you a tracking number to confirm your submission. You will not be able to view your comment immediately because we must post each submission manually. It may take up to a week for your comments to be viewable.

2. Fax: Fax comments to (833) 410-1631.

3. Mail: Matthew Ramsey, Executive Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, Social Security Administration, G-401 WHR, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, or emailing Matthew.Ramsey@ssa.gov. Comments are also available for public viewing on the Federal eRulemaking portal at https://www.regulations.gov or in person, during regular business hours, by arranging with the contact person identified below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Interested parties may submit general questions about the matching program to Cynthia Scott, Division Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, Social Security Administration, G-401 WHR, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, at telephone: (410) 966-1943, or send an email to Cynthia.Scott@ssa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

None.

Participating Agencies: SSA and RRB.

Authority for Conducting the Matching Program: This matching agreement is executed in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.

Legal authority for the disclosure under this agreement for the SSI portion are sections 1631(e)(1)(A) and (B) and 1631(f) of the Social Security Act (Act) (42 U.S.C. 1383(e)(1)(A) and (B) and 1383(f)). The legal authority for the disclosure under this agreement for the SVB portion is section 806(b) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1006(b)).

Purpose(s): This matching agreement 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 SSI and SVB eligibility and benefit payment amounts. SSA will also record the railroad annuity amounts RRB paid to SSI and SVB recipients in the SSR.

Categories of Individuals: The individuals whose information is involved in this matching program are applicants for and recipients of SSI payments and SVB benefits.

Categories of Records: The electronic data file provided by RRB will contain approximately 560,000 records. The file will adhere to the characteristics and format shown in attachment B. The SSR has about 10.4 million records. SSA will match the Social Security number, name, date of birth, and RRB claim number on the RRB file and the SSR. SSA and RRB will conduct this match monthly.

System(s) of Records: RRB will provide SSA with an electronic data file containing annuity payment data from RRB's system of records, RRB-22 Railroad Retirement, Survivor, and Pensioner Benefits System, last published on May 15, 2015 (80 FR 28018). SSA will match RRB's data with data maintained in the SSR, Supplemental Security Income Record and Special Veterans Benefits, 60-0103, last fully published at 71 FR. 1830 on January 11, 2006 and updated on December 10, 2007 (72 FR 69723), July 3, 2018 (83 FR 31250-31251), and November 1, 2018 (83 FR 54969). SVB data also resides on the SSR.