2012-9951. Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Department of Labor (DOL))-Match Number 1003

AGENCY:

Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION:

Notice of a renewal of an existing computer matching program due to expire on May 31, 2012.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a renewal of an existing computer matching program that we are currently conducting with DOL. Also published today in a separate notice in the Federal Register, you will find an announcement of a new computer matching program (Match #1015).

DATES:

We will file a report of the subject matching program with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; the Committee on Oversight and 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 Acting Executive Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, SSA, 617 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 Acting Executive Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, SSA, as shown above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. General

The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Public Law (Pub. L.) 100-503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) by describing the conditions under which computer matching involving the Federal government could be performed and by adding certain protections for persons 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 persons.

The Privacy Act, as amended, regulates the use of computer matching by Federal agencies when matching records in a system of records 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 approval of the matching agreement by the Data Integrity Boards of the participating Federal agencies;

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

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

B. SSA Computer Matches Subject to the Privacy Act

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

Daniel F. Callahan,

Acting Executive Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel.

Notice of Computer Matching Program, SSA With the Department of Labor (DOL)

A. Participating Agencies

SSA and DOL.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

The purpose of this matching program is to establish the terms, conditions, and responsibilities under which DOL will disclose DOL administered Part C Black Lung (BL) benefit data to us. We will use the match results to verify that recipients of Part C BL benefits are receiving the correct amount of Social Security disability benefits, as required by the Social Security Act (Act).

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

The legal authority for this agreement is section 224(h)(1) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 424a(h)(1). The authority requires any Federal agency to provide us with information in its possession which we may require for making a timely determination of the amount of reduction required under section 224 of the Act.

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

We will match the Master Beneficiary Record, SSA/OEEAS 60-0090, which contains all data pertinent to the payment of our beneficiaries, with an extract from DOL's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, BL Benefit Payments file, DOL/ESA-30. DOL published an appropriate routine use to permit the disclosures necessary to conduct this match.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

The effective date of this matching program is May 21, 2012, if the following notice periods have lapsed: 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register and 40 days after notice of the matching program sent to Congress and OMB. The matching program will continue for 18 months from the effective date and, if both agencies meet certain conditions, we may extend it for an additional 12 months thereafter.