Section 303 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004 (SSPA) provides for a 5-year demonstration project to be conducted by SSA under which the direct payment of SSA approved fees is extended to certain non-attorney claimant representatives. To be eligible for direct payment of fees, a non-attorney representative must fulfill 5 key statutory requirements. Through a private contractor SSA will collect required information to determine eligibility for direct payment of representation services.
We are discontinuing the use of the Annual Affirmations Worksheet collection instrument. This is not a requirement of the Social Security Protection Act (Sections 205 and 303)under the Non-Attorney Representative Payee Demonstration Project. This action reduces the public burden and we can determine participant eligibility based on the remaining collection instruments. The change in the agency estimate is due to a decrease in the number of participants in the project.
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.