Section 311 of the Social Security
Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994 directed SSA to
provide support to health researchers involved in epidemiological
research. Specifically, when a study is determined to contribute to
a national health interest, SSA will furnish information to
determine whether a study subject is shown on the SSA
administrative records as being alive or deceased (vital status).
SSA will recoup all expenses incurred in providing this
information. Web-posted questions solicit the information SSA needs
to provide the data and to collect the fees. The requestors are
scientific researchers who are applying to receive vital status
information about individuals from Social Security administrative
data records.
The increase in the annual
public reporting burden from 50 to 60 hours is due to an increase
in the number of Cancer Registries who are using this service.
Also, we added two additional ICs to the ICR in order to show the
diverse universe of respondents for this application. Prior to
ROCIS we were not able to show distinct burdens per respondent
type; however, now we are able to do so.
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.