Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
04/29/2026
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
05/31/2026
58
8,341
2,366
5,510
0
0
The PABSS projects are part of Social Securityâs strategy to increase the number of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI recipients who return to work and achieve financial independence and self-sufficiency as the result of receiving support, representation, advocacy, or other services. PABSS provides: (1) Information and advice about obtaining vocational rehabilitation and employment services; and (2) advocacy or other services a beneficiary with a disability may need to secure, maintain, or regain gainful employment. The PABSS Annual Program Performance Report collects statistical information from each of the PABSS projects in an effort to manage and capture program performance and quantitative data. Social Security uses the information to evaluate the efficiency of the program, and to ensure beneficiaries are receiving quality services. The project data is valuable to Social Security in its analysis of and future planning for the SSDI and SSI programs. The respondents are the 57 PABSS project sites, and recipients of SSDI and SSI programs.
When we last cleared this IC in 2023, the burden was 4,199 hours. However, we are currently reporting a burden of 2,280 hours. This change stems from a change in methods utilized to calculate the number of respondents. The reduction in burden is solely attributable to the updated, data-driven estimation approach and not to any programmatic change in reporting requirement. In addition, PABSS grantees complete the PPR on behalf of the SSDI and SSI recipients, so we believe that beneficiaries should not have been included in the previous clearance, we are removing the beneficiaries from the burden chart. These figures represent current Management Information data.
* Note: The total burden reflected in ROCIS is 2,366, while the burden cited in #12 of the Supporting Statement is 2,280. This discrepancy is because the ROCIS burden also reflects learning costs. 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.