Sections 20 CFR 404.953 and 416.1453 of our regulations state that if an Administrative Law Judge makes a wholly favorable oral decision for a claimant of Title II or Title XVI payments at an administrative appeals hearing, and if this oral decision includes all findings and the rationale for the decision, the records from the oral hearing preclude the need for a written decision. This is known as the incorporation-by-reference process. These regulations also state that if the involved parties want a record of the oral decision, they may submit a written request for these records.
The reduction in the number of annual burden hours by half is based on SSAÂs experiences during the past three years. The estimate given in 2004 was based on SSAÂs projections and not on experience. Now that we have experience to work with, we have lowered our numbers to reflect our current knowledge of the response rate.
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.