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SSA renews computer matching program with OPM

The Social Security Administration is renewing a computer matching program that it has with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The results of the matching program are used to determine Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility and to determine if a beneficiary's benefits should be reduced due to the public disability benefit offset provision (Social Security Act (Act) §224), the Windfall Elimination Provision (Act §215(a)(7) and §215(d)(3)), and the Government Pension Offset provision (Act §202(k)(5)(A)).

The matching program has four purposes:

• To verify the accuracy of information furnished by applicants and recipients concerning eligibility factors for the SSI and Special Veterans' Benefits (SVB) programs
• To identify disability insurance beneficiaries whose benefits should be reduced under the Social Security Act because the disabled worker is receiving a civil service disability annuity benefit
• To verify the pension or annuity information provided (or identify such information that should have been provided) directly to the SSA by retirees/annuitants
• To verify information provided (or identify such information that should have been provided) by the SSA beneficiary at the time of the initial application for Social Security benefits and on a continuing basis to ensure that any reduction in Social Security benefits is based on the current government pension amount

Further details of the matching program appear in the SSA's official notice, as published in the March 5, 2008, Federal Register, 73 Fed. Reg. 11979, which appears in full text in this week's Report (¶14,147C , CCH DDU ¶12,490).

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