E6-7869. Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt (BPD)-Match Number 1038

AGENCY:

Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION:

Notice of the renewal of an existing computer matching program which is scheduled to expire on June 25, 2006.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces the renewal of an existing computer matching program that SSA is currently conducting with BPD.

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 telefax to [phone] or writing to the Associate Commissioner for Income Security Programs, 245 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 (Public Law (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 approval of the matching agreement by the Data Integrity Boards (DIB) 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 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: March 6, 2006.

Martin H. Gerry,

Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.

Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration (SSA) with the Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt (BPD)

A. Participating Agencies

SSA and BPD.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

The purpose of this matching program is to establish the conditions, safeguards and procedures for BPD's disclosure of certain savings security information to SSA. (The term “savings security” means Series E, EE or I United States Savings Securities.) SSA will use the match results to verify eligibility and payment amounts of individuals under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The SSI program was created under title XVI of the Social Security Act (the Act) to provide benefits under the rules of that title to individuals with income and resources below levels established by law and regulations.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program Sections 1631(e)(1)(B) and (f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(e)(1)(B) and (f)).

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

SSA will provide BPD with a finder file extracted from SSA's Supplemental Security Income Record and Special Veterans Benefits system of records containing Social Security numbers of individuals who have applied for, or receive, SSI payments. This information will be matched with BPD files in BPD's savings-type securities registration systems of records (United States Savings Type Securities and Retail Treasury Securities Access Application) and a reply file of matched records will be furnished to SSA. Upon receipt of BPD's reply file, SSA will match identifying information from the BPD file with SSA's records to determine preliminarily whether the data pertain to the relevant SSI applicant or recipient before beginning the process of verifying savings security ownership and taking any necessary benefit actions.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

The matching program will become effective upon signing of the agreement by both parties to the agreement and approval of the agreement by the Data Integrity Boards of the respective agencies, but no sooner than 40 days after notice of this 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.