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SSA RIN: 0960-AH86 Publication ID: Fall 2019 
Title: Removing Inability to Communicate in English as an Education Category 
Abstract:

This final rule would eliminate the education category "inability to communicate in English" when we evaluate disability claims for adults under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. Changes in the national workforce since we added this category to our rules in 1978 demonstrate that this education category is no longer a reliable indicator of an individual’s educational attainment or the vocational impact of an individual’s education. The rule would reflect research and data related to English language proficiency, work, and education; expansion of the international reach of our disability programs; and audit findings by our Office of the Inspector General. The rule would help us better assess the vocational impact of education in the disability determination process.

 
Agency: Social Security Administration(SSA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 13771 Designation: Fully or Partially Exempt 
CFR Citation: 20 CFR 404.1564, part 404 subpart P app    20 CFR 416.964   
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 402    42 U.S.C. 405(a) to 405(b)    42 U.S.C. 405(d) to 405(h)    42 U.S.C. 416(i)    42 U.S.C. 421(a)    42 U.S.C. 421(h) to (j)    42 U.S.C. 422(c)    42 U.S.C. 423    42 U.S.C. 425    42 U.S.C. 902(a)(5)   
Legal Deadline:  None

Statement of Need:

These changes would modernize our disability program consistent with current research and data about disability and workforce participation.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

42 U.S.C. 902(a)(5). Multiple sections of the Social Security Act. No aspect is required by statute or court order.

Alternatives:

Undetermined at this time.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

No costs on the public are anticipated as a result of this proposed rule. Benefits include more consistent and appropriate evaluations of vocational factors by eliminating the false equivalence between an inability to communicate in English and illiteracy.

Risks:

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  02/02/2019  84 FR 1006   
NPRM Comment Period End  04/02/2019 
Final Action  03/00/2020 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined  Government Levels Affected: None 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes 
Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Daniel O'Brien
Director, Office of Retirement and Disability Policy
Social Security Administration
Office of Vocational, Evaluation, and Process Policy, 6401 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401
Phone:410 597-1632
Email: dan.obrien@ssa.gov