2023-17157. Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

AGENCY:

Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION:

Notice of a new matching program.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a new matching program with the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service), Department of the Treasury (Treasury). Under this matching program, Fiscal Service, Treasury will disclose savings security data to SSA. SSA will use the data to determine continued eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants and recipients SSA will also use the data to determine the correct benefit amount for recipients and deemors who either did not report or who incorrectly reported their ownership of savings securities.

DATES:

The deadline to submit comments on the proposed matching program is September 11, 2023. The matching program will be applicable on December 26, 2023, or once a minimum of 30 days after publication of this notice has elapsed, whichever is later. The matching program will be in effect for a period of 18 months.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by any one of three methods—internet, fax, or mail. Do not submit the same comments multiple times or by more than one method. Regardless of which method you choose, please state that your comments refer to Docket No. SSA–2023–0007 so that we may associate your comments with the correct regulation. Caution: You should be careful to include in your comments only information that you wish to make publicly available. We strongly urge you not to include in your comments any personal information, such as Social Security numbers (SSNs) or medical information.

1. Internet: We strongly recommend that you submit your comments via the internet. Please visit the Federal eRulemaking portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Use the Search function to find docket number SSA–2023–0007 and then submit your comments. The system will issue you a tracking number to confirm your submission. You will not be able to view your comment immediately because we must post each submission manually. It may take up to a week for your comments to be viewable.

2. Fax: Fax comments to (833) 410–1631.

3. Mail: Matthew Ramsey, Executive Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, Social Security Administration, G–401 WHR, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235–6401, or emailing [e-mail]. Comments are also available for public viewing on the Federal eRulemaking portal at https://www.regulations.gov or in person, during regular business hours, by arranging with the contact person identified below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Interested parties may submit general questions about the matching program to Cynthia Scott, Division Director, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, Social Security Administration, G–401 WHR, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235–6401, at telephone: [phone], or send an email to [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

None.

Matthew Ramsey,

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

Participating Agencies: SSA and Fiscal Service, Treasury.

Authority for Conducting the Matching Program: This matching agreement is executed in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.

Legal authority for the disclosure under this agreement for SSA to conduct this matching activity is contained in section 1631(e)(1)(B) and (f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(e)(1)(B) and (f)).

Purpose(s): This matching agreement sets forth the terms, conditions, safeguards, and procedures under which Fiscal Service, Treasury will disclose savings security data to SSA. SSA will use the data to determine continued eligibility for SSI applicants and recipients, or the correct benefit amount for recipients and deemors who either did not report or who incorrectly reported their ownership of savings securities.

Categories of Individuals: The individuals whose information is involved in this matching program are SSI applicants, recipients, and deemors who either did not report or incorrectly reported ownership of savings securities.

Categories of Records: The finder file SSA provides to Fiscal Service will contain approximately 10 million records of individuals for whom SSA requests data for the administration of the SSI program. Fiscal Service will use files that contain approximately 185 million SSNs, with registration indexes, to match SSA records. Fiscal Service will provide a response record providing matched results to SSA, which will contain approximately 1 million records.

System(s) of Records: The relevant SSA system of records (SOR) is “Supplemental Security Income Record and Special Veterans Benefits,” 60–0103. The SOR Notice (SORN) was fully published on January 11, 2006 at 71 FR 1830 and updated on December 10, 2007 at 72 FR 69723; July 3, 2018 (83 FR 31250–31251), and November 1, 2018 (83 FR 54969). The relevant Fiscal Service SOR is Fiscal Service SORN .014 (United States Securities and Access). The SORN was last published on February 27, 2020 at 85 FR 11776.