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💼New Social Security Matching Program

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a new matching program with the United Stated Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Support Services (OCSS). Under this matching program, OCSS will provide SSA with quarterly wage (QW) and unemployment insurance (UI) information located in the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) to allow SSA to determine eligibility of applicants for Extra Help (low-income subsidy assistance) under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003. This agreement assists SSA in determining eligibility of applicants for Extra Help, redetermining eligibility of existing Extra Help beneficiaries during periodic screening, and administering the Extra Help program.

🏥SSA Announces New Matching Program with IRS for Medicare Benefits

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces a new matching program with the United States Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Under this matching program, the IRS will disclose IRS to SSA certain return information for the purpose of verifying eligibility for the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) and determines the correct subsidy percentage of benefits provided under the Social Security Act (Act).

📝SSA Proposes Revisions to Information Collection Requirements

The Social Security Administration has published a notice seeking comments on proposed revisions and extensions of information collection activities. This includes forms for employers verifying employee earnings and other related processes impacting Social Security benefits for claimants, including those living abroad. The notice also details associated burdens and opportunities for public comment on the accuracy and utility of these collections.

🏘️Implications of Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Revisions

This interim final rule revises HUD's regulation governing the Fair Housing Act's mandate that the Secretary administer HUD's program and activities in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing. This interim final rule returns to the original understanding of what the statutory AFFH certification was prior to 1994--a general commitment that grantees will take active steps to promote fair housing. Grantee AFFH certifications will be deemed sufficient provided they took any action during the relevant period rationally related to promoting fair housing, such as helping eliminate housing discrimination. This interim final rule does not, however, reinstate the obligation to conduct an Analysis of Impediments or mandate any specific fair housing planning mechanism; program participants must continue to affirmatively further fair housing as and to the extent required by the Fair Housing Act.

🔒Privacy Act Changes

We published a document in the Federal Register revisiting our rules on December 31, 2024. In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, we are re-issuing public notice of our intent to modify an existing system of records entitled, Master Files of Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and SSN Applications (60-0058). This notice publishes details of the modified system as set forth below under the caption, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

📄Notice of Information Collection Activities by SSA

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has published a notice regarding proposed requests for information collection activities. This includes revisions and extensions of OMB-approved information collections aimed at improving the clarity and utility of data collected from respondents. The SSA seeks comments from the public regarding the accuracy and necessity of these information collections.

💼Tier Subscription Expansion and Fee Decrease for e

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is announcing two additional subscription tiers and a decrease in the fees across all tiers for the electronic Consent Based Social Security Number (SSN) Verification (eCBSV) service. In accordance with statutory requirements, a permitted entity (PE) is required to provide payment to reimburse SSA for the development and support of the eCBSV system.

🌟SSA Introduces Youth Transition Demonstration for Employment Opportunities

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is announcing the Youth Transition Exploration Demonstration (YTED) project for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program under title XVI of the Social Security Act (Act). This project is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an employment intervention for youth with disabilities, who are transitioning into the adult workforce. SSA will modify the program rules that apply to income for certain project participants who receive SSI payments under title XVI of the Act. This modification will not apply to income for project participants who receive Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits under title II or receive concurrent benefits under title II and title XVI of the Act.

🏥Extension of Flexibility in Evaluating Healthcare Claims to 2029

We are extending the flexibility in the "close proximity of time" standard, as defined in two prior temporary final rules (TFR), through May 11, 2029. We issued a TFR providing the "close proximity of time" flexibility on July 23, 2021, because the COVID-19 national public health emergency (PHE) caused many individuals to experience barriers that prevented them from timely accessing in-person healthcare. On September 29, 2023, we extended the flexibility to evaluate evolving healthcare practices and consumption in a post-PHE environment. We determined that we need additional time to fully evaluate still-evolving healthcare practices after the PHE. We are therefore issuing this TFR to extend the "close proximity of time" flexibility until May 11, 2029, so we can continue to evaluate changes in healthcare practices and determine the proper "close proximity of time" standard for the musculoskeletal disorders listings.

📄SSA Proposed Request for Information Collection Activities Notice