Electronic Protective Filing Tool

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Addendum - 0826 (Full Clearance).docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2022-08-09	Repair queued
Supporting Statement - 0826 (Full Clearance).docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2022-08-09	Repair queued

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
251889	ePFT - Respondent Type 3 (ex: Attorney Representatives)	Instruction	Modified
251888	ePFT - Respondent Type 2 (ex: Professional Assistors)	Instruction	Modified
251887	ePFT - Respondent Type 1 (ex: Potential Applicants)	Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0960-0826	ICR Reference No: 202206-0960-006
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202202-0960-008
Agency/Subagency: SSA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Electronic Protective Filing Tool
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 01/17/2023
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 08/09/2022
Terms of Clearance: The agency made minor edits to its addendum response to public comments and uploaded additional supplemental documentation. In the next release cycle of ePFT, SSA will implement the minor instruction and design revisions as agreed-upon in correspondence between OMB and the agency. This will include revising certain language that is not plain-language, such as "determination" and providing improved guidance on how the types of telephone numbers that can be provided.

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	01/31/2025	36 Months From Approved	01/31/2023
Responses	42,500	0	42,500
Time Burden (Hours)	4,675	0	4,675
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic limited the public’s access to Social Security Administration (SSA) Field Offices (FOs), requiring SSA to rapidly modernize and improve online services available to the public. Since the beginning of the pandemic, underserved populations who have historically relied on in-office appointments and service decreased their submissions of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. SSA uses the term “People facing barriers” to refer to these vulnerable populations, which include low-income individuals (especially those over age 65), the homeless, people with limited English proficiency, and disabled children. Historically, individuals contact SSA by phone, in person, or by mail to express interest in filing for benefits. Because same-day service to file an application is not always possible or individuals prefer to have an appointment, SSA technicians use eLAS (OMB No. 0960-0822) to set up appointments and record the protective filing date for potential claimants. This process ensures that potential claimants do not miss out on possible benefits due to the lack of same-day service. Protective filing is the precursor to filing an application for benefits. Protective filing refers to the date by which SSA receives an individual’s intent to file for Social Security benefits, Medicare Part A (Health Insurance), or SSI payments, which SSA then uses as the application date provided the individual files an application within a specific amount of time after that date. For instance, if an individual files an application for SSI payments within 60 days of the protective filing date, or an application for Social Security benefits within 6 months of the protective filing date, SSA uses the protective filing date as the application filing date. Thus, it is as if the application was filed on the day the individual contacted SSA to express interest in filing, which often results in SSA processing the application faster for that individual. SSA developed an online tool to allow Internet users to request an appointment to file an application for benefits and to establish a protective filing date with SSA. The electronic protective filing tool will allow individuals to submit information for the appointment request using a computing device, such as a personal computer or handheld (mobile) device instead of calling SSA by phone or visiting an FO. The tool will be available to potential claimants, as well as those individuals assisting them. The respondents are individuals requesting an appointment with an intent to file for Social Security benefits, Medicare Part A (Health Insurance), or SSI payments, or other third-party individuals helping claimants with the filing process.

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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:
	87 FR 34922	06/08/2022
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	87 FR 48547	08/09/2022
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 3

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
ePFT - Respondent Type 1 (ex: Potential Applicants)
ePFT - Respondent Type 2 (ex: Professional Assistors)
ePFT - Respondent Type 3 (ex: Attorney Representatives)

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ICR Summary of Burden

table that charts list of burden

	Total Approved	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	42,500	42,500	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	4,675	4,675	0	0	0	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:

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $2,895,350

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? Yes

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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: 08/09/2022

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