80 FR 12696 - Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program (Social Security Administration (SSA)/Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA))-Match Number 1008

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 46 (March 10, 2015)

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 VA/VBA.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12696-12697]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05510]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA 2014-0015]


Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Computer Matching Program 
(Social Security Administration (SSA)/Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA))--Match Number 1008

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of a renewal of an existing computer matching program 
that will expire on November 10, 2014.

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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 VA/VBA.

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 (410) 966-0869 or writing to the Executive Director, 
Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, Social 
Security Administration, 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 (Public 
Law (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.

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

Notice of Computer Matching Program, SSA With the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

A. Participating Agencies

SSA and VA/VBA

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

    The purpose of this matching program is to provide us with 
information necessary to: (1) Identify certain Supplemental Security 
Income (SSI) and Special Veterans Benefit (SVB) recipients under Title 
XVI and Title VIII of the Social Security Act (Act), respectively, who 
receive VA-administered benefits; (2) determine the eligibility or 
amount of payment for SSI and SVB recipients; and (3) identify the 
income of individuals who may be eligible for Medicare cost-sharing 
assistance through the Medicare Savings Program as part of our Medicare 
outreach efforts.

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

    The legal authority for VA to disclose information under this 
agreement is 1631(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(f)). The legal 
authorities for us to conduct this computer matching program are 
806(b), 1144, and 1631(e)(1)(B) and (f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1006(b), 
1320b-14, and 1383(e)(1)(B) and (f)).

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

1. Systems of Records

    VA will provide us with electronic files containing compensation 
and pension payment data from its system of records (SOR) entitled the 
``Compensation, Pension, Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment Records--VA'' (58VA/21/22/28), republished with updated name 
at 74 FR 14865 (April 1, 2009) and last amended at 77 FR 42593 (July 
19, 2012).
    We will match the VA data with SSI/SVB payment information 
maintained in our SOR entitled ``Supplemental Security Income Record 
and Special Veterans Benefits'' (SSA/ODSSIS 60-0103), last published at 
71 FR 1830 (January 11, 2006).

2. Number of Records

    We estimate receiving 60 million records annually from VA.

[[Page 12697]]

3. Specified Data Elements

    We will conduct the match using the Social Security number, name, 
date of birth, and VA claim number on both the VA file and the 
Supplemental Security Record.

4. Frequency of Matching

    VA will furnish us with an electronic file containing VA 
compensation and pension payment data monthly. The actual match will 
take place approximately during the first week of every month.

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

    The effective date of this matching program is November 11, 2014 
provided that 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 the Office of 
Management and Budget. The matching program will continue for 18 months 
from the effective date and, if both agencies meet certain conditions, 
it may extend for an additional 12 months thereafter.
[FR Doc. 2015-05510 Filed 3-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4191-02-P