OMB approves this collection consistent with the changes agreed to by SSA on 6/4/07.
1.Before the pilot begins, SSA will submit a generic clearance request to gather information to evaluate the pilot for purposes of general service improvement (and not for publication or for the purpose of informing significant policy or resource allocation decisions). The questions will pertain to items discussed and highlighted in the notice and will at a minimum assess the satisfaction of participants (including ALJs, attorneys, claimants, and rep payees), identify any potential problems or concerns on behalf of participants, cost-benefit analysis on the part of the participant. SSA and OMB will follow generic clearance procedures already existing including SSA submitting an 83-C along with an abbreviated supporting statement for individual surveys (e.g., statement of need, intended use of information, description of respondents, information collection procedures, expected response rate, justification for incentive, estimated burden) and OMB will aim to respond with clearance or questions within 10 working days. Approval should not be assumed until explicit approval is granted.
2.Following the end of the first stage of the pilot, SSA will report to OMB on how the first stage of the pilot went and whether any significant problems were encountered. If substantive changes need to be made to the second stage of the pilot, an information collection revision request will be submitted to OMB for review prior to conducting the second stage of the pilot.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
06/30/2010
36 Months From Approved
4,230
0
0
717
0
0
450,000
0
0
SSA plans to expand its video teleconferencing program of Administrative Law Judge Hearings by allowing these hearings to be conducted from private representative sites that have been certified by the agency. Representatives who are interested in participating in the pilot program or the permanent program will need to provide some basic information about their location, the area they serve and their expected workload. Because private video sites are being used, the pilot guidelines provide for site inspections, certain on the record certifications and other claimant safeguards to help ensure that no claimants are disadvantaged by participating in their hearing from a private site. Respondents to this collection will be the claimantÂs representatives who elect to participate in the collection.
The Privately Owned Video Teleconferencing pilot is a new information collection which will increase the public reporting burden. Representatives who are interested in participating in the pilot program will need to contact a pilot program coordinator and provide some basic information about their location, the area they serve and their expected workload. Because private video sites are being used, the pilot guidelines provide for site inspections, certain on the record certifications and other claimant safeguards to help ensure that no claimants are disadvantaged by participating in their hearing from a private site. As a result, at the time of the hearing, participating representatives will be required to include in their opening statement on the record or in writing certifications required by the video program. In addition, the pilot guidelines provide for specific video teleconferencing equipment requirements which must be met to participate in the pilot.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
VTC Addendum 03-22-07[1].doc
VTC FINAL RULE COMMENTS 12-11-03.pdf
Pilot Program for Participating in Administrative Law Judge Hearings by Using Privately Owned Video Teleconferencing (VTC) Equipment -- Cost burden Equipment Phase I &II