Search Results for agency_names:"Social Security Administration"

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has finalized changes to its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations to align with the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. These updates aim to make procedures for accessing information more accessible and clearly outlined for public understanding. The new rule reorganizes SSA's FOIA guidelines, clarifies terms like "commercial interest," and provides extensive details on processing requests, fees, and exemptions. The SSA hopes these changes will improve transparency and efficiency for both the agency and the public.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced updates to their electronic Consent Based Social Security Number (SSN) Verification (eCBSV) service. They are adding two more subscription tiers and reducing fees for all tiers to make the service more accessible and affordable for smaller and medium-sized users. This includes a new tier for up to 75,000 transactions and another for up to 500,000. The changes aim to recover development costs while providing cost relief to users, with a plan to break even by 2027.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has published a notice about information collection activities that require approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. SSA is asking for public comments on the accuracy and utility of their information collection efforts and suggestions to improve them. The notice contains details on different forms and processes used by SSA, such as verifying identities for voter registration and handling overpayment recoveries, as well as procedures for accessing SSA systems. The public has until certain dates in March and April 2021 to submit their comments.

The Social Security Administration has issued a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) extending the flexibility in evaluating the "close proximity of time" standard for musculoskeletal disorder listings until May 11, 2029. This extension allows the administration more time to study healthcare practices and access, especially given the increased use of telehealth services after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The rule aims to accommodate the ongoing changes in healthcare access and provision by allowing more time for individuals to meet the required medical listing criteria for disability claims. The public is invited to submit comments on this rule by March 18, 2025.

The Social Security Administration has issued a final rule, effective March 3, 2025, to streamline the administration of benefits by using electronic payroll data. This rule allows standardized exchanges of wage and employment information with payroll providers, aiding in the management of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. It aims to improve accuracy, reduce improper payments, and lessen the burden on both program beneficiaries and administration staff. Public comments have been considered, and the rule includes provisions for phased implementation, privacy, data accuracy, and addressing concerns regarding identity theft and reporting requirements.

The Social Security Administration has announced new inflation-adjusted maximum penalties for civil monetary violations, effective from January 15, 2021, to January 14, 2022. The adjustments are required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. For example, the penalty for fraud facilitators in a position of trust has increased to $8,212, and the penalty for a violative broadcast has increased to $54,157. These updates ensure penalties align with inflation and are applied fairly each year.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has updated the maximum civil monetary penalties to account for inflation, as mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. These adjustments are effective from January 15, 2025, through January 14, 2026. For example, the penalty for fraud facilitators in positions of trust will increase from $9,704 to $9,956, and for violative broadcasts, the penalty will rise from $63,991 to $65,653. The SSA uses the October Consumer Price Index and guidance from the Office of Management and Budget to calculate these annual updates.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that the assessment percentage rate for fees paid directly to representatives under the Social Security Act will remain at 6.3 percent for the year 2025. This rate is the lower of two possible amounts: the specified dollar limit or the percentage necessary to recover the costs incurred by the SSA to determine and pay these fees. The maximum dollar limit for assessments is currently $120, having been adjusted for inflation, and will be revisited annually based on cost-of-living changes.