03-13235. Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Match Number 1016)

AGENCY:

Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION:

Notice of the renewal of an existing computer matching program, which is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2003.

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 the IRS.

DATES:

IRS will file a report of the subject matching program with the Committee on 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 renewal of 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, Office of Income Security Programs, 760 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 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: May 2, 2003.

Martin H. Gerry,

Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs.

Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration (SSA) With Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

A. Participating Agencies

SSA and IRS.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

The purpose of this matching program is to establish conditions under which IRS agrees to disclose to SSA certain return information for use in verifying eligibility for, and/or the correct amount of, benefits provided under Title XVI of the Social Security Act to qualified aged, blind and disabled individuals, and federally administered supplementary payments of the type described in section 1616(a) of such Act (including payments pursuant to an agreement entered into under section 212(a) of Pub. L. 93-66, 87 Stat. 152).

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

Section 6103(1)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 6103(1)(7)) authorizes the IRS to disclose return information with respect to unearned income to Federal, State, and local agencies administering certain benefit programs under the Social Security Act.

Section 1631(e)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(e)(1)(B)) requires verification of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility and benefit amounts with independent or collateral sources.

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

SSA will provide the IRS with identifying information with respect to applicants for and recipients of benefits available under programs specified in this Agreement from the Supplemental Security Income Record and Special Veterans Benefit (SSR), SSA/OSR 60-0103, as published at 66 FR 11079 (February 21, 2001). IRS will extract return information with respect to unearned income from the Wage and Information Returns (IRP) Processing File, Treas/IRS 22.061, hereafter referred to as the Information Return Master File (IRMF), as published at 66 FR 63797 (December 10, 2001), through the Disclosure of Information to Federal, State and Local Agencies (DIFSLA) program.

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.