Real Property Current Market Value Estimate
A. Justification
Introduction/Authoring Laws and Regulations
The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers and individual’s resources when evaluating eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. One of the requirements in determining eligibility is evaluating the value of resources, including non-home real property. Section 1631(e)(1)(b) of the Social Security Act (Act) requires SSA to obtain proof, as necessary, to assure that we only pay eligible individuals. Section 1611(b) of the Act establishes the limits of those resources. SSA uses form SSA-L2794, Real Property Current Market Value Estimate, to collect information about the value of certain types of resources owned by those who apply for or currently receive SSI benefits. Real property values come from respondents based on their knowledge in the real estate business, state and local government assessments, or other knowledgeable individuals who give dependable estimates of value. SSA requests a renewal without changes to this existing collection.
Description of Collection
SSA obtains current market value estimates of the claimant’s real property through Form SSA-L2794 to determine eligibility for SSI payments and entitlement. We allow respondents to use readily available records to complete the form, or we can accept their best estimates. We use this form as part of initial applications and in post‑entitlement situations. The SSA employee completes the identity portion of the form and sends it to the knowledgeable respondent for completion. The respondents are small business operators in real estate, state and local government employees tasked with assessing real property values, and other individuals who are knowledgeable about local real estate values
Use of Information Technology to Collect the Information
Due to the historically low number of responses, we are not currently pursuing an electronic version of the form under the agency’s Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA). We estimate fewer than 6,000 respondents complete this form annually, which falls far below the GPEA threshold of 50,000 respondents. As more State and local government tax assessments become available to the public online, we may increasingly use those records instead of sending out this form for completion in some situations. We expect this form‘s use will decrease over time. This form is available as a print-only PDF for use by employees to send to the respondents.
Why We Cannot Use Duplicate Information
The nature of the information we are collecting and the manner in which we are collecting it preclude duplication. SSA does not use another collection instrument to obtain similar data.
Minimizing Burden on Small Respondents
This collection does not significantly affect small businesses or other small entities.
Consequence of Not Collecting Information or Collecting it Less Frequently
If SSA did not collect this information, it could increase the volume of incorrect payments associated with ownership of non-home real property. We collect this information initially at filing and thereafter as required by reports of change of resources or at periodic redeterminations of benefits. Since SSA only collects the requested information when we must verify an SSI applicant’s or recipient’s allegation of property with values that require verification, we cannot collect it less frequently. There are no technical or legal obstacles to burden reduction.
7. Special Circumstances
There are no special circumstances that would cause SSA to conduct this information collection in a manner inconsistent with 5 CFR 1320.5.
Solicitation of Public Comment and Other Consultations with the Public
The 60-day advance Federal Register Notice published on December 28, 2012, at 77 FR 76591, and we received no public comments. SSA published the second Notice on March 20, 2013, at 78 FR 17276. If we receive comments in response to the 30-day Notice, we will forward them to OMB. We did not consult with the public in the revision of this form.
Payment or Gifts to Respondents
SSA does not provide payments or gifts to the respondents.
Assurances of Confidentiality
SSA protects and holds confidential the information it collects in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1306, 20 CFR 401 and 402, 5 U.S.C. 552 (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. 552a (Privacy Act of 1974), and OMB Circular No. A-130.
Justification for Sensitive Questions
The information collection does not contain any questions of a sensitive nature.
Estimates of Public Reporting Burden
Approximately 5,438 respondents take 20 minutes each to complete Form SSA‑L2794 each year. Accordingly, the burden is 1,813 hours. This figure represents burden hours, and we did not calculate a separate cost burden.
13. Annual Cost to the Respondents (Other)
This collection does not impose a known cost burden on the respondents.
Annual Cost To Federal Government
The annual cost to the Federal Government is approximately $8,375. This estimate is a projection of the costs for collecting the information and processing it to SSA’s records.
15. Program Changes or Adjustments to the Information Collection Request
There are no changes to the public reporting burden.
16. Plans for Publication Information Collection Results
SSA will not publish the results of the information collection.
17. Displaying the OMB Approval Expiration Date
OMB granted SSA an exemption from the requirement to print the OMB expiration date on its program forms. SSA produces millions of public-use forms with life cycles exceeding those of an OMB approval. Since SSA does not periodically revise and reprint its public-use forms (e.g., on an annual basis), OMB granted this exemption so SSA would not have to destroy stocks of otherwise useable forms with expired OMB approval dates, avoiding Government waste.
Exceptions to Certification Statement
SSA is not requesting an exception to the certification requirements at 5 CFR 1320.9 and related provisions at 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
SSA does not use statistical methods for this information collection.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | Title of Information Collection and Form Number(s) |
| Author | Naomi |
| Last Modified By | 889123 |
| File Modified | 2013-03-21 |
| File Created | 2012-12-12 |