<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<REGINFO_RIN_DATA xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" RUN_DATE="2026-09-22-04:00" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/xml/REGINFO_XML_Ver10262011.xsd">
    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>0960-AE56</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>199610</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>0960</CODE>
            <NAME>Social Security Administration</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>SSA</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>Weight of Disability Determination Services&apos; Medical Psychological Consultant&apos;s Opinions</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[We propose to revise our disability regulations to clarify the weight administrative law judges and the Appeals Council are to give to opinion evidence from State agency medical and psychological consultants, other program physicians and psychologists, and medical experts in claims for disability benefits under title II and title XVI of the Social Security Act.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Other Significant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>First Time Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Proposed Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>No</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>20 CFR 404.1502</CFR>
            <CFR>20 CFR 404.1512</CFR>
            <CFR>20 CFR 404.1513</CFR>
            <CFR>20 CFR 404.1519</CFR>
            <CFR>20 CFR 404.1527</CFR>
            <CFR>20 CFR 416.902</CFR>
            <CFR>20 CFR 416.912</CFR>
            <CFR>20 CFR 416.913</CFR>
            <CFR>20 CFR 416.919</CFR>
            <CFR>20 CFR 416.927</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>42 USC 405(a)</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>42 USC 405(b)</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>42 USC 902(c)(5)</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>42 USC 1382C</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>42 USC 221</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>Yes</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <RPLAN_INFO>
            <STMT_OF_NEED><![CDATA[This regulation is necessary to implement one of several process unification initiatives approved by the Commissioner on July 8, 1996.]]></STMT_OF_NEED>
            <LEGAL_BASIS><![CDATA[None.]]></LEGAL_BASIS>
            <ALTERNATIVES><![CDATA[None.]]></ALTERNATIVES>
            <COSTS_AND_BENEFITS><![CDATA[We do not anticipate any additional program or administrative costs.]]></COSTS_AND_BENEFITS>
            <RISKS><![CDATA[At this time we have not identified any risks associated with the proposal.]]></RISKS>
        </RPLAN_INFO>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>11/00/1996</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Final Action</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>04/00/1997</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>No</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>Federal</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <PRINT_PAPER>NA</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>Not Collected</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Martin</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Sussman</LAST_NAME>
                <TITLE>Legal Assistant</TITLE>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>0960</CODE>
                    <NAME>Social Security Administration</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>SSA</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>410 965-1767</PHONE>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>Division of Regulations and Rulings, 6401 Security Boulevard,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Baltimore</CITY>
                    <STATE>MD</STATE>
                    <ZIP>21235</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
        <REINVENT_GOVT>No</REINVENT_GOVT>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
