2010-15688. 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 (Pub. L.) 104-13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, effective October 1, 1995. This notice includes extensions 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, e-mail, or fax your comments and recommendations on the information collection(s) to the OMB Desk Officer and SSA Reports Clearance Director to the following addresses or fax numbers.

(OMB), Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA, Fax: [phone], E-mail address: [e-mail].

(SSA), Social Security Administration, DCBFM, Attn: Reports Clearance Officer, 1333 Annex Building, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235, Fax: [phone], E-mail address: [e-mail].

The information collection below is pending at SSA. SSA will submit it 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 August 30, 2010. 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 e-mail address.

1. Travel Expense Reimbursement—20 CFR 404.999(d) and 416.1499—0960-0434. The Social Security Act provides for travel expense reimbursement from Federal and State agencies for claimants who travel in excess of 75 miles to attend medical examinations, reconsideration interviews, and proceedings before an administration law judge. Claimants' representatives and necessary witnesses are also eligible for reimbursement. Reimbursement procedures require the claimant to provide a list and receipt for the expenses. Federal and State personnel review the listings and receipts to verify the reimbursable amount. The respondents are claimants for Title II benefits and Title XVI payments, their representatives, and witnesses.

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

Number of Respondents: 50,000.

Frequency of Response: 1.

Average Burden per Response: 10 minutes.

Estimated Annual Burden: 8,333 hours.

2. Application Status—20 CFR 401.45—0960-0763. Application Status provides users with the capability to check the status of their pending Social Security claims either via the Internet or the National 800 Number Automated Telephone Service. Users need their Social Security number and a confirmation number to access this information. The Application Status shows users when SSA received the application, if we requested additional documents (e.g., military discharge papers, W-2s, birth records, etc.), and provides the address for the office that is processing their application. Once SSA makes a decision on a claim, we post a copy of the decision notice online for the user to view. There are some exceptions to posting a copy online, such as disability denial notices (even if filed electronically) or claims users did not file via the Internet, as we may not have notices available for online review. Users access this application either from http://www.ssa.gov/​onlineservices/​ or through the National 800 Number. Respondents are current Social Security recipients.

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

Type of request	Number of responses	Frequency of response	Average burden per response (minutes)	Total annual burden (hours)
Automated Telephone Services	764,885	1	2	25,496
Internet Services	2,881,804	1	1	48,030
Totals	3,646,689			73,526

Faye Lipsky,

Reports Clearance Officer, Center for Reports Clearance, Social Security Administration.