2012-5573. 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 (PRA) of 1995, effective October 1, 1995. This notice includes an extension and two 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].

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 May 7, 2012. Individuals can obtain copies of the collection instruments by calling the SSA Reports Clearance Officer at 410-965-8783 or by writing to the above email address.

1. Testimony by Employees and the Production of Records and Information in Legal Proceedings—20 CFR 403.100-.155—0960-0619. Regulations at 20 CFR 403.100-.155 of the Code of Federal Regulations establish SSA's policies and procedures for an individual, organization, or government entity to request official agency information, records, or testimony of an agency employee in a legal proceeding when the agency is not a party. The request, which respondents submit in writing to the Commissioner, must (1) fully set out the nature and relevance of the sought testimony; (2) explain why the information is not available by other means; (3) explain why it is in SSA's interest to provide the testimony; and (4) provide the date, time, and place for the testimony. Respondents are individuals or entities who request testimony from SSA employees in connection with a legal proceeding.

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

Collection instrument	Number of respondents	Frequency of response	Average burden per response (minutes)	Estimated total annual burden (hours)
20 CFR 403.100-403.155	100	1	60	100

2. Identifying Information for Possible Direct Payment of Authorized Fees—0960-0730. SSA collects information from claimants' appointed representatives on Form SSA-1695 to (1) process and facilitate direct payment of authorized fees; (2) issue a Form 1099-MISC, if applicable; and (3) establish a link between each claim for benefits and the data we collect on the SSA-1699 for our appointed representative database. The respondents are attorneys and other individuals who represent claimants for benefits before SSA.

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

Collection instrument	Number of respondents	Frequency of response	Average burden per response (minutes)	Estimated total annual burden (hours)
SSA-1695	10,000	40	10	66,667

3. Electronic Records Express—0960-0753. Electronic Records Express (ERE) is a web-based SSA program that allows medical providers to electronically submit disability claimant data to SSA. Both medical providers and other third parties with connections to disability applicants or recipients can use this system. This collection comprises user enrollment in ERE; other OMB-approved collections include the actual submission of information electronically. The respondents are medical providers who evaluate or treat disability claimants or recipients and are ERE users.

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

Collection instrument	Number of respondents	Frequency of response	Average burden per response (minutes)	Estimated total annual burden (hours)
ERE	3,552,176	1	10	592,029

Dated: March 2, 2012.

Faye Lipsky,

Reports Clearance Director, Office of Regulations and Reports Clearance, Social Security Administration.