SSA uses Form SSA-8 to collect information we need to authorize payment of the lump-sum death payment (LSDP) to a widow, widower, or children of the deceased, as defined in Section 202(i) of the Act. Respondents complete the application for this one-time payment through use of the paper form, or personal interview with an SSA employee either via telephone, or in a field office. For all personal interviews (either telephone or in-person), we collect the information via our electronic Modernized Claim System (MCS) screens. When a respondent completes the paper Form SSA-8, they mail it back to SSA. Respondents are applicants for the LSDP.
US Code:
42 USC 402
Name of Law: Social Security Act
When we last cleared this IC in 2019, the burden was 99,407 hours. However, we are currently reporting a burden of 110,946 hours. This change stems from an increase in the number of responses from 662,107 to 739,001. There is no change to the burden time per response. Although the number of respondents changed, SSA did not take any actions to cause this change. These figures represent current Management Information data.
Note: The total burden reflected in ROCIS is 734,212, while the burden cited in #12 of the Supporting Statement is 110,946. This discrepancy is because the ROCIS burden reflects the following components: field office and teleservice center waiting time + a rough estimate of a 30-minute, one-way, drive burden. In contrast, the chart in #12 of the Supporting Statement reflects actual burden.
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.