E7-3578. Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA))-Match Number 1008

AGENCY:

Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION:

Notice of a renewal of a computer matching program.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a renewal of a computer matching program that SSA will conduct with VA/VBA.

DATES:

SSA will file a report of the subject matching program with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The matching program will be effective as indicated below.

ADDRESSES:

Interested parties may comment on this notice by either telefaxing to [phone] or writing to the Associate Commissioner, Office of Income Security Programs, 252 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401. All comments received will be available for public inspection at this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

The Associate Commissioner for Income Security Programs as shown above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. General

The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by describing the manner in which computer matching involving Federal agencies could be performed and adding certain protections for individuals applying for, and receiving, Federal benefits. Section 7201 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508) further amended the Privacy Act regarding protections for such individuals. The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching by Federal agencies when records in a system of records are matched with other Federal, State, or local government records.

It requires Federal agencies involved in computer matching programs to:

(1) Negotiate written agreements with the other agency or agencies participating in the matching programs;

(2) Obtain the Data Integrity Boards' approval of the match agreements;

(3) Publish notice of the computer matching program in the Federal Register;

(4) Furnish detailed reports about matching programs to Congress and OMB;

(5) Notify applicants and beneficiaries that their records are subject to matching; and

(6) Verify match findings before reducing, suspending, terminating, or denying an individual's benefits or payments.

B. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

We have taken action to ensure that all of SSA's computer matching programs comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act, as amended.

Dated: February 22, 2007.

Martin H. Gerry,

Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.

Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration (SSA) With Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) Match Number 1008

A. Participating Agencies

SSA and VA/VBA.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

The purpose of this matching program is to establish the conditions for VA/VBA as the source agency to disclose VA compensation and pension payment data to SSA, the recipient agency. This disclosure will provide SSA with information necessary to identify certain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Special Veterans Benefit (SVB) recipients under titles XVI and VIII of the Social Security Act (the Act) respectively, who receive VA-administered benefits. SSA will then update the SSI/SVB records to reflect the presence of such payments.

The disclosure will also enable SSA to efficiently implement a Medicare outreach program mandated by Section 1144 of title XI of the Act. Information disclosed by VA will enable SSA to identify income limits for certain individuals; to determine their potential eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs, and to identify these individuals to the States.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

The legal authority for SSA to conduct this matching activity is contained in sections 1631(e)(1)(B) and 1631(f) of the Act, (42 U.S.C. 1383(e)(1)(B) and 1383(f)(SSI)), and section 806(b) of the Act, (42 U.S.C. 1006(b)(SVB)) and section 1144 of the Act, (42 U.S.C. 1320b-14). SSA is required to verify declarations of applicants for, and recipients of, SSI payments before making a determination of eligibility or payment amount.

The legal authority for VA to disclose information for this match is contained in section 1631(f) of the Act, (42 U.S.C. Section 1383(f)). That section requires Federal agencies to provide such information as the Commissioner of Social Security needs for purposes of determining eligibility for or amount of benefits, or verifying other information with respect thereto.

D. Categories of Records and Individuals Covered by the Matching Program

VA will provide SSA with electronic files containing compensation and pension payment data from its system of records entitled the Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records—VA (58VA21/22) first published at 41 FR 9294 (March 3, 1976), and last amended at 70 FR 34186 (June 13, 2005), with other amendments as cited therein. SSA will then match VA data with SSI/SVB payment information maintained in its system of records entitled Supplemental Security Income Record and Special Veterans Benefits (SSA/OEEAS 60-0103.) Routine use 21 of 58VA21/22 and routine use 3 of 60-0103 permits disclosure of the subject records for matching purposes.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

The matching program will become effective no sooner than 40 days after notice of the matching program is sent to Congress and OMB, or 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register, whichever date is later. The matching program will continue for 18 months from the effective date and may be extended for an additional 12 months thereafter, if certain conditions are met.