Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Department of Labor (DOL))-Match Number 1003

AGENCY:

Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION:

Notice of the renewal of an existing computer matching program which is scheduled to expire on November 16, 2005.

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 DOL.

DATES:

SSA will file a report of the subject matching program with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight 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 (410) 965-8582 or writing to the Associate Commissioner for Income Security Programs, 245 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 the Federal government 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 approval of the matching agreement by the Data Integrity Boards (DIB) 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 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.

Notice of Computer Matching Program, Social Security Administration (SSA) with the Department of Labor (DOL)

A. Participating Agencies

SSA and DOL.

B. Purpose of the Matching Program

The purpose of this matching program is to establish the conditions, terms, and safeguards for DOL's disclosure of Part C Black Lung (BL) benefit data to SSA. SSA will use the match results to verify that recipients of Part C BL benefits are receiving the correct amount of Social Security disability benefits, as required by the Social Security Act (the Act).

C. Authority for Conducting the Matching Program

The legal authority for SSA to conduct this matching activity is contained in section 224(h)(1) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 424a(h)(1)).

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

DOL will provide SSA with a file extracted from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs' BL Benefit Payments File. The extracted file will contain information about all live miners, under age 65, entitled to Part C BL benefits. Each record on the DOL file will be matched with SSA's Master Beneficiary Record (SSA/OEEAS 60-0090) to identify individuals potentially subject to benefit reductions due to their receipt of Part C BL benefits, under section 224 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 424a).

E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program

The matching program will become effective upon signing of the agreement by both parties to the agreement and approval of the agreement by the Data Integrity Boards of the respective agencies, but no sooner than 40 days after notice of the matching program is sent to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget, 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.