2012-1598. Agency Information Collection Activities: 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 (Pub. L.) 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: [phone], Email address: [e-mail].

(SSA), Social Security Administration, DCRDP, Attn: Reports Clearance Officer, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235, Fax: [phone], Email address: [e-mail].

SSA submitted the information collection below to OMB for clearance. Your comments regarding the information collection would be most useful if OMB and SSA receive them within 30 days from the date of this publication. To be sure we consider your comments, we must receive them no later than March 1, 2012. Individuals can obtain copies of the OMB clearance package by calling the SSA Reports Clearance Officer at [phone] or by writing to the above email address.

1. Disability Report-Appeal—20 CFR 404.1512, 416.912, 404.916(c), 416.1416(c), 405 Subpart C, 422.140—0960-0144. SSA requires disability claimants who are appealing an unfavorable disability determination to complete the SSA-3441-BK, the associated Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS) interview, or the Internet application, i3441. This allows claimants to disclose any changes to their disability or resources that might influence SSA's unfavorable determination. We may use the information to: (1) Reconsider and review an initial disability determination; (2) review a continuing disability; and (3) evaluate a request for a hearing. This information assists the State Disability Determination Services and administrative law judges (ALJ) in preparing for the appeals and hearings, and issuing a determination or decision on an individual's entitlement (initial or continuing) to disability benefits. Respondents are individuals who appeal denial, reduction, or cessation of Social Security disability income Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, or who are requesting a hearing before an ALJ.

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

Collection method	Number of respondents	Frequency of response	Average burden per response (minutes)	Estimated total annual burden (hours)
SSA-3441-BK	5,604	1	45	4,203
EDCS Interview	662,090	1	45	496,568
i3441 (Internet)	605,268	1	28	282,458
Totals	1,272,962			783,229

2. Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge—20 CFR 404.929, 404.933, 416.1429, 404.1433, 418.1350, and 42 CFR 405.722—0960-0269. When SSA denies applicants' or beneficiaries' requests for new or continuing benefits, those applicants or beneficiaries are entitled to request a hearing to appeal the decision. To request a hearing, individuals use Form HA-501, the associated Modernized Claims System (MCS) or Modernized Supplemental Security Income Claims System (MSSICS) interview, or the Internet application (i501). SSA uses the information to determine if the individual filed the request within the prescribed time; is the proper party; and has taken the steps necessary to obtain the right to a hearing. SSA also uses the information to determine the individual's reason(s) for disagreeing with SSA's prior determinations in the case; if the individual has additional evidence to submit; if the individual wants an oral hearing or a decision on-the-record; and whether the individual has (or wants to appoint) a representative. The respondents are Social Security benefit applicants and recipients who want to appeal SSA's denial of their request for new or continued benefits and Medicare Part B recipients who must pay the Medicare Part B Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.

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

Collection method	Number of respondents	Frequency of response	Average burden per response (minutes)	Estimated total annual burden (hours)
HA-501; MCS or MSSICS Interview	25,953	1	10	4,326
i501 (Internet iAppeals)	643,516	1	5	53,626
Totals	669,469			57,952

3. Request for Reconsideration—20 CFR 404.907-404.921, 416.1407-416.1421, 408.1009, and 418.1325—0960-0622. Individuals use the SSA-561-U2, the associated MCS interview, or the Internet application (i561) to initiate a request for reconsideration of a denied claim. SSA uses the information to document the request and to determine an individual's eligibility or entitlement to Social Security benefits (title II), SSI payments (title XVI), Special Veterans Benefits (title VIII), Medicare (title XVIII), and for initial determinations regarding Medicare Part B income-related premium subsidy reductions. The respondents are individuals filing for reconsideration.

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

Collection method	Number of respondents	Frequency of response	Average burden per response (minutes)	Estimated total annual burden (hours)
SSA-561 and MCS Interview	550,370	1	8	73,383
i561 (Internet iAppeals)	911,330	1	5	75,944
Totals	1,461,700			149,327

Dated: January 23, 2012.

Faye Lipsky,

Reports Clearance Officer, Center for Reports Clearance, Social Security Administration.