The enhanced Leads and Applications System (eLAS) and iAppointment

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Supporting Statement - 0960-NEW (iAppointment & eLAS).docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2021-03-24	Repair queued

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
246421	eLAS - Intranet Application	Other-Intranet Screens	New
246420	iAppointment - Internet Application	Other-Internet Screens	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 202103-0960-011
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: SSA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: The enhanced Leads and Applications System (eLAS) and iAppointment
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 03/24/2021

table that charts list comparision

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved
Responses	5,903,352	0
Time Burden (Hours)	983,892	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: SSA offers both Internet and telephone appointment options for individuals who wish to request an appointment when they are unable to complete one of SSA’s online or automated telephone applications because they failed the initial verification checks, or because they state their reading language preference is other than English. iAppointment: iAppointment is an online process that allows members of the public an easy-to-use method to schedule an appointment with the servicing office of their choice. Since the application date can affect when a claimant’s benefit begins, iAppointment establishes a protective filing date and provides respondents information related to the date by which they must file their actual application. The iAppointment application propagates information the applicant already entered onto any of SSA’s Internet applications for SSN, name, date of birth, and gender. Applicants must provide minimal additional information: mailing address; telephone number; language preference; type of appointment (Disability, Retirement, Medicare); and whether they prefer a telephone interview or in-office appointment. iAppointment is a customer-centric application. If the available appointment times do not meet the customer’s needs, iAppointment allows the user to enter a different zip code to identify another field office, which may offer different appointment times. At this time, SSA only allows domestic first party applicants to use iAppointment. If users indicate they are filing as third parties, iAppointment provides a message directing them to call the National 800 Number for assistance. If a foreign first party user is unable to complete iClaim, iAppointment directs them to contact a Social Security representative, and provides a link to SSA’s Service Around the World website. Enhanced Leads and Appointment System (eLAS): eLAS is an Intranet-based version of the iAppointment screens for use by SSA technicians in both the field offices and call centers. eLAS interacts with iAppointment to ensure we always record the same information whether an individual requests an appointment through our Internet screens or via telephone. eLAS is a non-public facing system that allows SSA employees in the field offices, workload support units, and teleservice centers to use an telephone interview process to schedule appointments and document an individual’s intent to file using a script and asking the same questions to each individual. We use eLAS with individuals who use our automated telephone system or who prefer not to use iAppointment to set up their appointment. The respondents are individuals who are unable to use our Internet or automated telephone systems because they failed the initial verification checks; or because they state their reading language preference is other than English.

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 667	01/06/2021
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 14170	03/12/2021
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
eLAS - Intranet Application
iAppointment - Internet Application

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ICR Summary of Burden

table that charts list of burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	5,903,352	0	0	0	5,903,352	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	983,892	0	0	0	983,892	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a request for a new OMB number for a collection OMB currently approved under OMB Control No. 0960-0618. We are creating a new OMB approval for this collection, as we use iAppointment for more than just initial applications using the SSA-1, SSA-2, and SSA-16. While this is not a new information collection, the overall public reporting burden for this collection has increased since the last OMB Notice of Approval in May 2020. This increase in burden hours is due to the addition of the eLAS Post-Entitlement appointment burden hours to the collection. Previously, we did not use eLAS to set up appointments for respondents requesting Post-Entitlement appointments.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $21,358,100

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 03/24/2021

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