E6-6027. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Request

The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of information collection packages that will require 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. The information collection packages that may be included in this notice are for new information collections, approval of existing information collections, revisions to OMB-approved information collections, and extensions (no change) 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 on ways to minimize burden on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Written comments and recommendations regarding the information collection(s) should be submitted to the SSA Reports Clearance Officer. The information can be mailed and/or faxed to the addresses and fax number listed below:

(SSA) Social Security Administration, DCFAM, Attn: Reports Clearance Officer, 1338 Annex Building, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235, Fax: [phone].

The information collection listed below is pending at SSA and will be submitted to OMB within 60 days from the date of this notice. Therefore, your comments should be submitted to SSA within 60 days from the date of this publication. You can obtain a copy of the collection instrument by calling the SSA Reports Clearance Officer at 410-965-0454 or by writing to the address listed above.

SSI Monthly Wage Reporting Phase 2 Pilot—20 CFR 416.701-732—0960-0715. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients are required to report changes in their income, resources and living arrangements that may affect eligibility or payment amount. Currently, SSI recipients report changes on Form SSA-8150, Reporting Events—SSI, or to an SSA teleservice representative through SSA's toll-free telephone number, or they visit their local Social Security office.

The SSI wage reporting program area has the highest error rate largely due to non-reporting, which accounts for approximately $500 million in overpayments each year. Consequently, SSA is evaluating methods for increasing reporting. SSA is conducting a pilot to test an additional method for individuals to report wages for the SSI program. We are testing to determine if, given an easily accessible automated format, individuals will increase compliance with reporting responsibilities. Increased timely reporting could result in a decrease in improper payments. SSA will also be testing the use of knowledge-based authentication to determine if this is an effective method of accessing SSA's system. Lastly, SSA will test recent system enhancements and additional systems enhancements expected in May 2006 that will make reporting easier.

During the pilot, participants who need to report a change in earned income will call an SSA toll-free telephone number to report the change. The participants will access SSA's system using knowledge-based authentication (providing name, SSN and date of birth). Participants will either speak their report (voice recognition technology) or key in the information using the telephone key pad. SSA will issue receipts to participants who report wages using this method. Respondents to this collection are SSI recipients, deemors and representative payees of recipients who agree to participate in the pilot.

Type of Request: Extension of OMB approval.

Number of Respondents: 600.

Frequency of Response: 7.

Average Burden Per Response: 5 minutes.

Estimated Annual Burden: 350 hours.

Dated: April 18, 2006.

Elizabeth A. Davidson,

Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration.