2012-15959. Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Railroad Retirement Board (SSA/RRB))-Match Number 1308

AGENCY:

Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION:

Notice of a renewal of an existing computer matching program that will expire on September 30, 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 RRB.

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 Executive Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, 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 Executive Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, as shown above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. General

The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (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 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 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 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 applicants and beneficiaries 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.

Mary A. Zimmerman,

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

Notice of Computer Matching Program, SSA With the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

A. Participating Agencies

SSA and RRB.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

This computer matching agreement sets forth the terms, conditions, and safeguards under which RRB will disclose to us information necessary to verify an individual's self-certification of eligibility for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs program (Extra Help). It will also enable us to identify individuals who may qualify for Extra Help as part of our Medicare outreach efforts.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

The legal authority for us to conduct this matching activity is contained in section 1860D-14 (42 U.S.C. 1395w-114) and section 1144 (42 U.S.C. 1320b-14) of the Act.

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

1. Systems of Records

RRB will provide us with data from its RRB-22 and RRB-20 systems of records.

We will match RRB's data with our Medicare Database (MDB) File, system of records No. 60-0321

2. Number of Records and Frequency of Matching

RRB will transmit its annuity payment data monthly. The file will consist of approximately 560,000 electronic records.

RRB will transmit its Post Entitlement System file daily. The number of records will differ each day, but consist of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 records each month.

RRB will transmit files on all Medicare eligible Qualified Railroad Retirement Beneficiaries from its RRB-20 and RRB-22 systems of records to report address changes and subsidy changing event information monthly. The file will consist of approximately 520,000 electronic records. The number of people who apply for Extra Help determines in part the number of records matched.

Our comparison file will consist of approximately 47.5 million records obtained from MDB.

3. Specified Data Elements

We will conduct the computer match using each individual's Social Security Number, name, date of birth, RRB claim number, and RRB annuity payment amount in both RRB and MDB files.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

The effective date of this matching program is October 1, 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 is sent to Congress and OMB. 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.