jurisdiction: EU

text:
 15.10.2018
 BG
 Официален вестник на Европейския съюз
 L 257/21
 РЕГЛАМЕНТ ЗА ИЗПЪЛНЕНИЕ (ЕС) 2018/1534 НА КОМИСИЯТА
 от 12 октомври 2018 година
 за изменение на Регламент за изпълнение (ЕС) No 185/2013 по отношение на приспадания от риболовни квоти, отпуснати на Испания за 2017 г. и 2018 г.
 ЕВРОПЕЙСКАТА КОМИСИЯ,
 като взе предвид Договора за функционирането на Европейския съюз,
 като взе предвид Регламент (ЕО) No 1224/2009 на Съвета от 20 ноември 2009 г. за създаване на система за контрол на Общността за гарантиране на спазването на правилата на общата политика в областта на рибарството, за изменение на регламенти (ЕО) No 847/96, (ЕО) No 2371/2002, (ЕО) No 811/2004, (ЕО) No 768/2005, (ЕО) No 2115/2005, (ЕО) No 2166/2005, (ЕО) No 388/2006, (ЕО) No 509/2007, (ЕО) No 676/2007, (ЕО) No 1098/2007, (ЕО) No 1300/2008, (ЕО) No 1342/2008 и за отмяна на регламенти (ЕИО) No 2847/93, (ЕО) No 1627/94 и (ЕО) No 1966/2006 (1), и по-специално член 105, параграф 4 от него,
 след консултация с Комитета по рибарство и аквакултури,
 като има предвид, че:
 (1)
 През 2013 г. Комисията прие Регламент за изпълнение (ЕС) No 185/2013 (2). В него се предвиждат приспадания от квотата за скумрия в участък 8c и подзони 9 и 10, както и във водите на Съюза от CECAF 34.1.1, и от квотата за хамсия в подзона 8 на ICES.
 (2)
 През 2017 г. извършеният от Испания улов на скумрия и хамсия е бил съответно със 739 тона и 843 тона по-малко от предоставените ѝ квоти, в резултат на което риболовният натиск, упражнен върху посочените запаси, е бил по-слаб в сравнение с максималния натиск, разрешен в съответствие с възможностите за риболов за 2017 г. Испанската страна представи искане тези неизползвани количества да бъдат отчетени при приспаданията от квотите за 2017 г., като приспаданията за 2018 г. бъдат намалени по съответния начин.
 (3)
 Определените в Регламент за изпълнение (ЕС) No 185/2013 количества на приспаданията за 2017 г. и 2018 г. следва да бъдат адаптирани и поради това Регламент (ЕС) No 185/2013 следва да бъде съответно изменен.
 (4)
 Мерките, предвидени в настоящия регламент, са в съответствие със становището на Комитета по рибарство и аквакултури,
 ПРИЕ НАСТОЯЩИЯ РЕГЛАМЕНТ:
 Член 1
 Приложението към Регламент за изпълнение (ЕС) No 185/2013 на Комисията се заменя с приложението към настоящия регламент.
 Член 2
 Настоящият регламент влиза в сила на третия ден след деня на публикуването му в Официален вестник на Европейския съюз.
 Настоящият регламент е задължителен в своята цялост и се прилага пряко във всички държави членки.
 Съставено в Брюксел на 12 октомври 2018 година.
 За Комисията
 Председател
 Jean-Claude JUNCKER
 (1) ОВ L 343, 22.12.2009 г., стр. 1.
 (2) Регламент за изпълнение (ЕС) No 185/2013 от 5 март 2013 г. за приспадане на прекомерния риболов в рамките на определена квота за скумрия през 2009 г. от някои риболовни квоти, отпуснати на Испания за 2013 г. и за следващите години (ОВ L 62, 6.3.2013 г., стр. 1).
 ПРИЛОЖЕНИЕ
 Запас
 Първоначална квота 2009 г.
 Адаптирана квота 2009 г.
 Установен улов 2009 г.
 Разлика между квотата и улова (прекомерен улов)
 Приспадане 2013 г.
 Приспадане 2014 г.
 Приспадане 2015 г.
 Приспадане 2016 г.
 Приспадане 2017 г.
 Приспадане 2018 г.
 Приспадане 2019 г.
 Приспадане 2020 г.
 Приспадане 2021 г.
 Приспадане 2022 г.
 Приспадане 2023 г.
 MAC8C 3411
 29 529
 25 525
 90 954
 – 65 429
 100
 100
 100
 5 544
 6 283
 4 805
 5 544
 5 544
 5 544
 5 544
 269
 ANE08 (1)
 3 696
 4 539
 2 853
 3 696
 3 696
 3 696
 3 696
 180
 (1) По отношение на хамсията годината следва да се разбира като риболовния сезон, започващ през въпросната година.


type: other

jurisdiction: US

text: b' Office of the Inspector General\n\nJanuary 19, 2000\n\nWilliam A. Halter\nDeputy Commissioner\n of Social Security\n\nInspector General\n\n\nThe Social Security Administration is Pursuing Matching Agreements with New York\nand Other States Using Biometric Technologies (A-08-98-41007)\n\n\nAttached is a copy of the subject final report. Our objective was to determine whether\nthe results of biometric technologies used by certain States in the administration of\nwelfare programs could benefit the Social Security Administration (SSA). We believe\nthat matching of such data with SSA\xe2\x80\x99s information systems would provide a strong\ncomplement to SSA\xe2\x80\x99s existing fraud prevention and detection techniques.\n\nYou may wish to comment on any further actions taken or contemplated on our\nrecommendations. If you choose to comment, please provide your comments within\n60 days of the date of this memorandum. If you wish to discuss the final report, please\ncall me or have your staff contact Steven L. Schaeffer, Acting Assistant Inspector\nGeneral for Audit, at (410) 965-9700.\n\n\n\n\n James G. Huse, Jr.\n\nAttachment\n\x0c OFFICE OF\n\n THE INSPECTOR GENERAL\n\n\nSOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION\n\n\n\n THE SOCIAL SECURITY\n ADMINISTRATION IS PURSUING\n MATCHING AGREEMENTS WITH\n NEW YORK AND OTHER STATES\n USING BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGIES\n\n January 2000 A-08-98-41007\n\n\n\n\nAUDIT REPORT\n\n\x0c E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y\n\n\nOBJECTIVE\n\nThe objective of our review was to determine whether the results of biometric\ntechnologies used by certain States in the administration of welfare programs could\nbenefit the Social Security Administration (SSA).\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nTo combat fraud and identify ineligible recipients for social service programs, several\nStates have employed biometrics\xe2\x80\x94 the science of measuring unique physical\ncharacteristics, such as fingerprints, for purposes of identification. Biometrics offers a\npotentially foolproof means of verifying a person\xe2\x80\x99s identity and, if used during the\nenrollment stage, can detect and prevent attempts by applicants to obtain benefits\nimproperly, such as through the use of identity fraud\xe2\x80\x94 the illegal use of personal\nidentifying information to commit financial fraud.\n\nAs of December 1998, 11 States were using or had plans to adopt biometric\ntechnologies in their social service programs. The specific status of each State project\nis detailed in Appendix A. In general, States that have implemented biometric\nprograms have realized significant benefits. For example, in the first 2 years of\noperation, the following States identified significant savings that directly resulted from\ntheir use of biometric technologies.\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t California estimated that finger-imaging of welfare clients in just seven counties has\n saved over $86 million.\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t Connecticut estimated savings of $15 million and identified 32 cases of attempted\n fraud through dual enrollment.\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t New York estimated savings of $396 million and initiated 379 fraud investigations\n for dual enrollees.\n\nSCOPE AND METHODOLOGY\n\nTo achieve our objective, we interviewed officials from the 11 State agencies using\nbiometric technologies in the administration of welfare programs and identified matches\ncurrently performed by SSA with State agencies. To determine the potential benefit of\n\n\n\n\n i\n\x0cSSA matching with State data, we reviewed 500 sample cases (i.e. individuals) from\n12,615 Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) cases closed by New York for\nfailure to cooperate with the State\xe2\x80\x99s finger-imaging requirement over the period\nOctober 1995 to July 1997. Since SSA did not have a formal matching agreement with\nthe State of New York at the time of our review, the scope of our review of sample\ncases was limited.\n\nWe performed the audit work at SSA Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland; the\nSoutheastern Program Service Center in Birmingham, Alabama; and the New York\nDepartment of Social Services in Albany, New York. We conducted our audit field work\nbetween April and August 1998.\n\nRESULTS OF REVIEW\n\nThe results of our review of 500 cases that the State of New York terminated for\nnonparticipation in its finger-imaging program indicated that SSA could benefit from\ninformation obtained through New York and other States using biometric technologies.\nFor example, of the 500 cases reviewed, we identified 64 individuals (13 percent) to\nwhom SSA had paid title II and/or title XVI benefits. Because SSA did not have a\nmatching agreement in place with New York, we were prohibited from pursuing\nindividual cases. Therefore, we could not draw a conclusion on the propriety of SSA\npayments made to these 64 individuals. However, their failure to appear for finger-\nimaging implies that fraud may have occurred, and those cases should be subject to\nfurther review.\n\nBased on the results of our review, we estimate that, as of January 1998, about\n$45 million in SSA benefits had been paid to approximately 1,615 individuals within the\npopulation of New York State\xe2\x80\x99s 12,615 terminated AFDC cases. We also estimate that\nan additional $16.3 million in SSA benefits will be paid to individuals within this\npopulation between February 1998 and February 2001. Through a matching\nagreement, SSA could use the results of New York State\xe2\x80\x99s biometrics program to\nidentify individuals who are inappropriately receiving benefits; and thereby, reduce\nand/or recover any improper benefit payments. Such efforts in New York, as well as in\nother States, would complement and strengthen SSA\xe2\x80\x99s existing fraud detection and\nprevention initiatives and help SSA meet its performance goal of making its program\nmanagement one of the best in business, with zero tolerance for fraud and abuse.\n\nCONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS\n\nBy using biometric technology to verify applicant identity, States have reduced\nimproper payments and provided valuable insight into fraudulent uses of Social\nSecurity numbers (SSN). In turn, SSA may be able to reduce SSN and benefit fraud in\nits programs. As States adopt and benefit from the use of biometric technology in their\nwelfare programs, SSA needs to expand its fraud prevention and detection initiatives to\nincorporate these new techniques.\n\n\n ii\n\x0cTherefore, we recommend that SSA:\n\n(1) Pursue a matching agreement with New York, so that the Agency can use results of\n the State\xe2\x80\x99s biometric technologies to reduce and/or recover any improper benefit\n payments.\n\n(2) Initiate pilot reviews to assess the cost-efficiency of matching data with other States\n that have employed biometrics in their social service programs.\n\nAGENCY COMMENTS\n\nSSA agreed with our recommendations and plans to pursue a pilot matching agreement\nwith the State of New York. SSA also stated that if the New York pilot proved\nbeneficial, the Agency will consider expansion to other States on a case-by-case basis.\n\nIn its response, SSA did express concerns about certain assumptions we made in the\nreport. Specifically, the Agency stated that additional evaluation was needed to show\nthat matching agreements would result in the reduction of fraud and/or the recovery of\nimproper payments in SSA programs. SSA also expressed concern regarding privacy\nissues involved in pursuing matching agreements with States using biometric\ntechnologies. The Agency asserted that the Privacy Act and its modifications covering\ncomputer matching did not anticipate using biometrics for identification purposes.\nTherefore, SSA stated that it must exercise caution to ensure that biometrical\nidentification is accurate, voluntary and totally noncoercive.\n\nSSA was also concerned that by only matching with States that employ biometrics, SSA\nwould be subjecting a class of applicants to identification requirements above those\ngenerally required. Finally, SSA stated that it must also remain cautious about relying\non \xe2\x80\x9cmatches\xe2\x80\x9dwith State records that contain identifying information not consistent with\nSSA\xe2\x80\x99s data. SSA stated that doing so without the appropriate checks and balances\ncould lead to inappropriate questioning or even suspensions for individuals whose SSA\nbenefit eligibility is correct. The full text of SSA\xe2\x80\x99s comments is included as Appendix D.\n\nOIG RESPONSE\n\nWe are encouraged by SSA\xe2\x80\x99s decision to pursue a pilot matching agreement with the\nState of New York. Additionally, we agree with SSA\xe2\x80\x99s proposed plan to expand the\npilot to other States only if the matching agreement with New York proves beneficial.\n\nWe acknowledge SSA\xe2\x80\x99s concerns regarding the assumptions made in our report. We\nalso recognize that biometrics and matching agreements represent a new frontier for\nthe Agency. As such, we understand SSA\xe2\x80\x99s desire to proceed in this arena with\nthoughtful consideration. We believe that as SSA accumulates data and gains\nexperience during its pilot review, the Agency should be in a good position to assess\nthe actual costs versus benefits of matching as well as related privacy issues.\n\n\n iii\n\x0c T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S\n\n\n Page\n\nEXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................ ................................ ......................... i\n\n\nINTRODUCTION ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 1\n\n\nRESULTS OF REVIEW ................................ ................................ .......................... 7\n\n\n SSA COULD BENEFIT FROM PURSUING MATCHING\n\n AGREEMENTS WITH NEW YORK AND OTHER STATES USING\n\n BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGIES ................................ ................................ ......... 7\n\n\n IDENTITY THEFT AND FALSE IDENTITY ARE GROWING\n\n PROBLEMS ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 7\n\n\n REVIEW OF NEW YORK CASES ................................ ................................ .... 9\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................ .................... 12\n\n\n\nAPPENDIX A \xe2\x80\x93 Use of Biometrics in State Welfare Programs\n\nAPPENDIX B \xe2\x80\x93 SSA Covered Matches with States\n\nAPPENDIX C \xe2\x80\x93 Sample Appraisals\n\nAPPENDIX D \xe2\x80\x93 Agency Comments\n\nAPPENDIX E \xe2\x80\x93 Major Report Contributors\n\nAPPENDIX F \xe2\x80\x93 SSA Organizational Chart\n\n\x0c I N T R O D U C T I O N\n\n\nOBJECTIVE\n\nThe objective of our review was to determine whether the results of biometric\ntechnologies used by certain States in the administration of welfare programs could\nbenefit the Social Security Administration (SSA).\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nOver the past several years, Congress has taken steps to address concerns over the\navailability of consumer identifying information and increased occurrences of identity\nfraud. In 1996, Congress directed the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve\nSystem to conduct a study on the availability of consumer identifying information and its\npossible use to commit financial fraud. In 1997 and early 1998, Congress asked the\nGeneral Accounting Office (GAO) to review various issues related to identity fraud.\nAlthough neither of these sources found comprehensive statistics regarding the\nprevalence of identity fraud, they do cite figures for individual financial and Federal\norganizations which indicate that occurrences of this crime have increased in recent\n 1\nyears.\n\nIn response to the nationwide concerns about identity fraud, Congress enacted the\nIdentity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998, Public Law 105-318. This law\nestablished identity theft as a Federal crime, punishable by substantial fines and/or\nimprisonment. To combat this type of fraud and identify individuals inappropriately\nreceiving benefits for social service programs, 11 States are using or have plans to use\nbiometrics\xe2\x80\x94 the science of measuring unique physical characteristics, such as\nfingerprints, for purposes of identification.2\n\n\n\n\n1\n These figures are cited in the following reports: U.S. General Accounting Office\xe2\x80\x99s report, Identity Fraud:\nInformation on the Prevalence, Cost, and Internet Impact is Limited, issued in May 1998; and the Board\nof Governors of the Federal Reserve System\xe2\x80\x99s Report to the Congress Concerning the Availability of\nConsumer Identifying Information and Financial Fraud, issued in March 1997.\n2\n Examples of human traits used for biometric recognition include fingerprints, speech, face, retina, iris,\nhandwritten signature, hand geometry and wrist veins. Biometric recognition can be used to identify a\nperson from a population by searching a data base for a match or to authenticate a person\xe2\x80\x99s claimed\nidentity from his/her previously enrolled pattern.\n\n\n 1\n\n\x0cState Use of Biometrics to Combat Fraud\n\nIn 1998, GAO estimated that annual losses resulting from fraud in entitlement programs\ntotaled approximately $10 billion. Concerned over the losses, several States have\nturned to the field of biometrics to administer welfare programs.\n\nBiometric technologies are not new. In fact, automated fingerprint identification system\n(AFIS) technology has a 25-year history of success in law enforcement. As computer\ntechnology has become more sophisticated and less expensive, biometric\napplications\xe2\x80\x94 once beyond the financial reach of agencies outside the law enforcement\ncommunity\xe2\x80\x94 have become more attainable. In an era when identifying legitimate\nindividuals is vital to assuring personal security and controlling against fraud and\ncriminal activities, the use of biometric identifiers is expected to expand significantly in\nbusiness and government programs. For Governments and corporations attempting to\ncrack down on fraud, biometrics offers a potentially foolproof means of verifying a\nperson\xe2\x80\x99s identity.\n\nIn adopting biometric technologies, States hope to deter and/or detect individuals\nattempting to use multiple identities to apply for and receive cash, food stamps and/or\nmedical assistance coverage. Most of the States who have begun using biometric\ntechniques in administering social service programs have chosen to use finger-imaging\nto document and verify the identity of benefit applicants. The general policy of State\nagencies has been to deny or discontinue State assistance payments to individuals\nwho refuse to be finger-imaged. As such, most States using biometric technologies\nhave significantly reduced their welfare rolls and realized substantial cost savings.\n\nAs illustrated in Figure 1, as of the end of 1998, eight States (California, New York,\nNew Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois, Texas and Arizona) had operational\nbiometric projects, and three States (Florida, Pennsylvania and North Carolina) had\npending biometric programs. Appendix A provides information on the status of these\nprojects for the 11 States.\n\n\n\n\n 2\n\n\x0c Figure 1: States with Biometric Programs\n\n\n\n\n Source: The Connecticut Biometric Web Page\n\n States with Active Biometric Programs\n\n States with Pending Biometric Programs\n\n\n\nCalifornia, New York and Connecticut are leading the way in the use of biometrics to\nprevent and/or detect welfare fraud.\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t In 1994, California became the first State to employ biometrics. California estimates\n that finger-imaging welfare clients in 7 counties saved the State over $86 million in\n the first 2 years of operation. California has now proposed a unified system for\n 225 county offices with an enrollment of 6 million expected by March 2000.\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t In 1995, New York started its statewide AFIS program. As of December 1998,\n New York\xe2\x80\x99s Department of Social Services (DSS) had enrolled about 1 million\n individuals in its finger-imaging data base. DSS estimated savings of $396 million\n over the first 2 years of the program. These savings resulted from 1,437 case\n denials for refusal at intake; 45,030 case closings; and 379 fraud investigations for\n dual enrollees.\n\n\n\n\n 3\n\n\x0c\xef\xbf\xbd\t In 1996, Connecticut\xe2\x80\x99s DSS commenced statewide finger-imaging for its AFDC3 and\n general assistance programs. In a March 1998 report to the General Assembly,\n DSS stated that, through digital imaging, it had identified 32 cases of attempted dual\n enrollment\xe2\x80\x94 12 resulting in prosecution, closure or other administrative action and\n 20 under further investigation. Including case closings and attempted dual\n enrollments, DSS estimated savings of $9 million and $6 million in the first 2 years\n of operation, respectively.\n\nOther States anticipate similar savings in their welfare programs. Arizona estimated its\nprogram could save the State $30 million over the next 5 years. Pennsylvania expects\nto realize savings of $290 million in either budgetary or cost avoidance. Additionally,\nsome States, in efforts to identify individuals who are simultaneously collecting benefits\nin two or more States, are beginning interstate matches of biometric information. For\nexample, New Jersey has performed the cross match with Connecticut and expects to\nperform a cross match with New York as well.\n\nComputer Matching\n\nGovernment agencies, including SSA, have turned to computer matching in recent\nyears in an attempt to reduce fraud, waste and abuse in Federal benefit programs.\nComputer matching has three main goals: (1) to determine eligibility for Federal\nbenefits; (2) to determine compliance with Federal benefit program requirements; and\n(3) to effect recovery of improper payment or delinquent debts from current or former\nbeneficiaries of Federal benefits.\n\nTo protect individual privacy and provide improved analysis on the cost-effectiveness of\nmatching programs, Congress passed theComputer Matching and Privacy Protection\nAct of 1988 (CMPPA). CMPPA requires Federal agencies to complete matching\nagreements whenever an automated Federal system of records is to be used in a\ncomputer match with any other automated record for one of the three above stated\npurposes. Matching agreements must specify the purpose and legal authority for the\nmatching program, describe the nature of the match and expected results, and describe\nhow the records will be protected.\n\nIn administering its benefit programs, SSA exchanges information with a number of\nFederal and State agencies. SSA regularly obtains information from external parties to\nverify initial and ongoing factors affecting program entitlement, assure the integrity of\nthe trust funds and provide service to the public. SSA also provides information to\nexternal parties to assist Federal and State agencies in carrying out legitimate\nGovernment purposes, such as administering benefit programs. The terms of SSA\xe2\x80\x99s\nexchanges are set forth in written agreements. Certain exchanges, where\n\n\n3\n The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, replacedthe Aid\nto Families with Dependent Children program with State programs funded under Part A of title IV of the\nSocial Security Act.\n\n\n 4\n\n\x0cinformation can adversely affect the beneficiary are subject to CMPPA and SSA must\ntake additional steps to ensure the privacy, integrity and verification of data exchanged.\nA list of SSA\xe2\x80\x99s matches with State agencies is provided as Appendix B.\n\nSCOPE AND METHODOLOGY\n\nTo accomplish our objective, we reviewed laws and regulations regarding limitations in\nmatching computer data among Government organizations. We then obtained\nassistance from the Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General concerning our legal\nposition in pursuing information received from State agencies and the need for a\nCMPPA agreement. The request to process a formal matching agreement with the\nState of New York has been forwarded to SSA. In the absence of an agreement,\nCMPPA prevented us from pursuing any action that could have an adverse effect on\nindividual beneficiaries.\n\nNevertheless, to determine the possible benefits that State matching agreements might\nprovide SSA, we obtained a computerized file containing 12,615 AFDC cases4 closed\nby New York\xe2\x80\x99s DSS because the individual failed to cooperate with the State\xe2\x80\x99s\nfinger-imaging requirement between October 1995 and July 1997. We then randomly\nselected a sample of 500 cases from the 12,615 cases and compared information\nobtained by the State with the following SSA systems of records:\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t Numident and Alphident master files containing identifying information for Social\n Security number (SSN) holders;\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t Master Beneficiary Record containing all title II, Old Age, Survivors and Disability\n Insurance accounts;\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t Supplemental Security Record containing all title XVI, Supplemental Security\n Income (SSI) accounts; and\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd Master Earnings File containing all earnings posted to individual SSN accounts.\n\nWe then obtained supplemental information for sample cases for which we identified\npotential problems and/or an impact on SSA programs. For example, we obtained\ninformation from New York City and State welfare data bases, earnings records and\nprison records. Additionally, we analyzed poverty and maximum income levels in the\nState.\n\nDuring our audit, we also interviewed: (1) other State agencies using biometric\ntechnologies in the administration of welfare programs and (2) State investigators\nregarding the prevalence and types of identity theft. Further, we identified matches\n\n\n4\n For purposes of this review, each case represented one individual.\n\n\n 5\n\n\x0cperformed by SSA with Federal and State agencies under CMPPA. Finally, we\nreviewed the results of other audits, investigations and studies dealing with identity\nfraud.\n\nWe performed our audit work at SSA Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland; the\nSoutheastern Program Service Center in Birmingham, Alabama; and the New York\nDepartment of Social Services in Albany, New York. We conducted our field work\nbetween April and August 1998. We conducted this audit in accordance with generally\naccepted government auditing standards.\n\n\n\n\n 6\n\n\x0c R E S U L T S O F R E V I E W\n\n\nSSA COULD BENEFIT FROM PURSUING MATCHING AGREEMENTS\nWITH NEW YORK AND OTHER STATES USING BIOMETRIC\nTECHNOLOGIES\n\nThe results of our review of 500 cases that the State of New York terminated for\nnonparticipation in its finger-imaging program indicated that SSA could benefit from\ninformation obtained from States using biometric technologies. Of the 500 cases\nreviewed, we identified 64 individuals (13 percent) to whom SSA had paid title II and/or\ntitle XVI benefits. Because SSA did not have a matching agreement in place with\nNew York, we were prohibited from pursuing individual cases. Therefore, we could not\ndraw a conclusion on the propriety of SSA payments made to these 64 individuals.\nHowever, their failure to appear for finger-imaging in New York connotes possible\nfraudulent circumstances that should be further reviewed.\n\nBased on the results of our review, we estimate that through January 1998 about\n$45 million in SSA benefits were paid to approximately 1,615 individuals within the\npopulation of New York State\xe2\x80\x99s 12,615 terminated AFDC cases.5 We also estimate that\nan additional $16.3 million in SSA benefits will be paid to individuals within this\npopulation between February 1998 and February 2001.6 We recognize that these\npayments may be legitimate and appropriate. However, through a matching\nagreement, SSA could review the results of New York State\xe2\x80\x99s biometrics program\n(e.g., the individuals who failed to appear for finger-imaging and the fraud cases that\nwere identified) and determine whether any of the Agency\xe2\x80\x99s benefit payments are\nimproper. Such efforts in New York, as well as in other States, would complement and\nstrengthen SSA\xe2\x80\x99s existing fraud detection and prevention initiatives and help SSA meet\nits performance goal of making its program management the best in the business, with\nzero tolerance for fraud and abuse.\n\nIDENTITY THEFT AND FALSE IDENTITY ARE GROWING PROBLEMS\n\nIn a March 1997 report to Congress, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve\nSystem (Board) concluded that fraud related to identity theft and false identity appears\nto be a growing risk for consumers and organizations. In its report, the Board opined\nthat the relative ease with which third parties access personal information about\n5\n Specifically, we estimate that $13.5 million in title II benefits and $31.8 million in title XVI benefits had\nbeen distributed through January 1998. See Appendix C for our Sample Appraisals.\n6\n Between February 1998 and February 2001, we estimate that $4.5 million in title II benefits and\n$11.9 million in title XVI benefits will be paid. See Appendix C for our Sample Appraisals.\n\n\n 7\n\n\x0cindividuals, including SSNs, may expand that risk. One of the most common\ninformation items used to commit identity theft is the SSN. Once secured, SSNs can be\nused as a gateway to other items of identifying information, such as birth certificates,\ndrivers\xe2\x80\x99licenses, bank accounts and credit cards. In turn, these identification items are\noften used to commit identity theft and financial fraud. Among the many victims of\nidentity theft are Federal and State benefit programs.\n\nNew York State\xe2\x80\x99s justification for adopting anti-fraud identification systems can be\ninferred by a case, reported in the New York Times in 1994, that illustrates a fraud\nsituation prior to the implementation of its biometric system.\n\n A New York woman collected welfare benefits concurrently under\n 8 names, increasing her income with claims for 46 nonexistent children.\n Over a 7-year period, she used 15 different identification cards, each with\n her real photograph on the front\xe2\x80\x94 each entitling her to public assistance.\n This individual allowed some accounts to lapse while she opened others,\n claiming a total of 73 fictitious children, including 11 sets of twins.\n Between 1987 and 1993, she received $450,000. While just one case,\n the nationwide ramifications of opportunistic fraud in benefit delivery\n systems is clear.\n\nSince the implementation of its finger-imaging system, New York has initiated hundreds\nof fraud investigations resulting from the State\xe2\x80\x99s ability to detect individuals attempting\nto obtain welfare benefits under multiple identities. One such example follows.\n\n In 1996, the State finger-imaging system identified a Public Assistance client\xe2\x80\x99s\n fingerprint as matching the print of another male recipient. SSA\xe2\x80\x99s Office of the\n Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted an\n investigation based on New York\xe2\x80\x99s findings and found that SSA had made SSI\n benefit payments to the individual in a third name. Further, Social Security\n Disability (SSD) benefits had been made in the name of a female recipient and\n two sets of minor twins, born less than 9 months apart. Local arrest records\n matched the male subject\xe2\x80\x99s prints to eight different identities. SSI/SSD\n records for August 1997, indicated all the identities had changed mailing\n addresses to a residence in Georgia. An arrest warrant in September 1997,\n charged the man with theft of Government funds, $46,331 in SSI benefits and\n $10,431 in food stamps, all alleged fraudulent benefits. Arrested in\n October 1997, while attempting to pick up five SSD checks for the female\n recipient and nonexistent minors, the man had an uncashed SSI check in the\n name of the first male recipient in his possession.\n\n\n\nREVIEW OF NEW YORK CASES\n\n\n\n 8\n\n\x0cOur analysis of 500 cases terminated by the State of NewYork disclosed information\nthat SSA could use to identify potential fraudulent claims in its entitlement programs.\nFor example, within the 500 cases, we identified suspect circumstances indicating that\nmore than one person was attempting to use the same SSN to obtain benefits.\nAlthough we were unable to pursue individual cases because we did not have a\ncomputer matching agreement in place, we agree with New York State\xe2\x80\x99s conclusion\nthat the individuals\xe2\x80\x99failure to appear for finger-imaging implies that fraud may have\noccurred and those cases should be subject to further review. Additionally, we believe\nthat the potential monetary impact on SSA trust funds provides further incentive for the\nAgency to obtain and investigate this type of information from participating States.\n\nOf the 500 terminated New York State welfare cases selected for review,\n488 (98 percent) provided the State with an SSN and name that agreed with SSA\xe2\x80\x99s\nsystem of record. Of the 488 matching cases, we found that SSA had made title II\nand/or title XVI payments to 64 individuals (13 percent). At the time of our field work,\nSSA was currently paying 35 (55 percent) of the 64 individuals and had previously\nterminated payments for the remaining 29 (45 percent) individuals. Specifically, as of\nJanuary 1998, SSA had paid $1.2 million in title XVI benefits to 35individuals and\n$535,145 in title II benefits to 34 individuals.7\n\nBased on the SSA benefits paid to these 64 individuals, we estimate that SSA\ndisbursed about $45 million in benefits to approximately 1,615 individuals within the\npopulation of terminated New York State AFDC applicants. We also estimate that SSA\nwill disburse an additional $16.3 million in benefits to individuals within this population\nbetween February 1998 and February 2001.8 The total $61 million in benefit payments\nis comprised of $17 million in title II benefits and $44 million in title XVI benefits.\nDetailed information regarding our projection calculations is provided in Appendix C.\n\nThe remaining 12 individuals (2 percent) provided New York with an SSN or name that\ndid not match SSA\xe2\x80\x99s records. We searched for other accounts using the SSN and/or\nname provided by New York. As a result, we identified five SSA accounts, three for\nwhich SSA had paid title II benefits, but terminated such benefits prior to the time of our\nfield work. We have not projected the amount of SSA benefits paid to similar\nindividuals within the population of terminated New York State AFDC applicants.\n\n\nIdentifying Information Not Always Consistent\n\n\n\n\n7\n Five of the individuals received both title II and title XVI payments.\n8\n Projections are based on benefits paid for the 64 cases involving title II and/or title XVI. For cases in\ncurrent pay status, our cut-off date for computation purposes was January 1998. We then extended\npayments at the same level for an additional 36 months. For cases where benefits were terminated, we\nused actual payments.\n\n\n 9\n\n\x0cNew York and SSA\xe2\x80\x99s records did not always have consistent identifying information\nsuch as dates of birth and mailing addresses. Although there could be rational\nexplanations for some of these inconsistencies, we are concerned that some of these\ndiscrepancies may indicate that more than one person is attempting to use the same\nSSN and name to obtain benefits.\n\nOf the 64 individuals who receive or have received SSA benefits, the dates of birth in\nNew York\xe2\x80\x99s file and SSA\xe2\x80\x99s Numident Master File differed in 6 instances. Four of the\ncases had discrepancies of 1 month or less. The remaining 2 cases had discrepancies\nof 3 months and 31 months, respectively. Additionally, the mailing addresses in\nNew York\xe2\x80\x99s file and SSA\xe2\x80\x99s master program did not agree in six cases, one of which also\nincluded a date of birth discrepancy. For example, one individual claimed a Florida\nmailing address for SSA\xe2\x80\x99s records and a New York address on his or her State benefit\napplication.\n\nPossible Use of Another Person\xe2\x80\x99s SSN\n\nWithin our sample of terminated AFDC cases (those individuals failing to comply with\nmandatory finger-imaging), we also identified instances in which applicants provided\nthe SSNs of other people.\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t In five cases, we found that individuals used the SSN of a current SSA beneficiary\n or SSI recipient. In one of these cases, anindividual used the SSN of a beneficiary\n currently receiving title II benefits and claimed the same mailing address as the SSA\n beneficiary. This discrepancy could indicate that a friend, relative or even the\n beneficiary himself is attempting to establish another identity to obtain benefits.\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t In one case, SSA discontinued SSI payments because the beneficiary died. Yet,\n using the SSN, an individual applied for New York State welfare benefits and was\n terminated upon failure to appear for finger-imaging. The termination occurred\n 8 months after the purported date of death. We also noted that the individual\xe2\x80\x99s sex\n according to SSA records was \xe2\x80\x9cmale,\xe2\x80\x9dwhile in New York\xe2\x80\x99s records the individual\n was \xe2\x80\x9cfemale.\xe2\x80\x9d\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t In one case, an individual applying for AFDC in New York provided her deceased\n mother\xe2\x80\x99s SSN, date of birth and last name. SSA\xe2\x80\x99s records showed annual earnings\n of approximately $15,000 in 1995 and 1996 for this individual. Implementation\n revealed that the applicant may have been attempting to conceal these wages and\n obtain AFDC benefits by using her mother\xe2\x80\x99s \xe2\x80\x9cidentity.\xe2\x80\x9d In March 1997, the individual\n reapplied for welfare using her correct SSN and date of birth.\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t An individual applying for AFDC in New York provided another person\xe2\x80\x99s SSN. The\n individual in question had received title II benefits as a child under his own SSN.\n The individual had significant earnings of about $30,000 in 1995 and $29,000 in\n 1996, which he could have been trying to conceal.\n\n\n 10\n\n\x0c\xef\xbf\xbd\t In a similar case, an individual provided another person\xe2\x80\x99s SSN when applying for\n AFDC in New York. This individual also received title II child benefits under his own\n SSN until reaching the age of 18. SSA\xe2\x80\x99s records showed that the individual had\n earnings of $24,000 in 1997, which he could have been trying to conceal.\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t A father applied for AFDC in New York and provided his daughter\xe2\x80\x99s SSN. His\n daughter, who had previously applied for and been denied SSA benefits, complied\n with New York\xe2\x80\x99s finger-imaging requirement and received AFDC payments.\n\n\xef\xbf\xbd\t In one case, a child received title II auxiliary benefits until SSA established that the\n applicant did not have the necessary legal relationship to the wage earner. SSA\n has been unable to recover a $6,000 overpayment to the child and his mother\n because they cannot be located. This applicant subsequently applied for AFDC in\n New York. Although the individual initially failed to appear for finger-imaging, he did\n eventually comply with the finger-imaging requirements. Nevertheless, we identified\n additional discrepancies in this individual\xe2\x80\x99s information. Specifically, the applicant\xe2\x80\x99s\n date of birth in the original AFDC application agreed with SSA\xe2\x80\x99s records. However,\n when the applicant subsequently agreed to be finger-imaged, his birth date was\n found to differ by 11 years from the earlier date given.\n\n\n\n\n 11\n\n\x0c CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS\n\n\nStates that use biometric technology to verify applicant identity deter fraudulent\napplications. By doing so, the States reduce the number of improper payments and\nprovide valuable insight into fraudulent uses of SSNs. In turn, SSA too may be able to\nreduce SSN and benefit fraud in SSA programs. As States adopt and benefit from the\nuse of biometric technology to combat identity theft in their welfare programs, SSA\nneeds to expand its fraud prevention and detection initiatives to incorporate this new\ntechnology.\n\nTherefore, we recommend that SSA:\n\n(1) Pursue a matching agreement with New York so that the Agency can use results of\n the State\xe2\x80\x99s biometric technologies to reduce and/or recover any improper benefit\n payments.\n\n(2) Initiate pilot reviews to assess the cost-efficiency of matching data with other States\n that have employed biometrics in their social service programs.\n\nAGENCY COMMENTS\n\nSSA agreed with our recommendations and plans to pursue a pilot matching agreement\nwith the State of New York. SSA also stated that if the New York pilot proved\nbeneficial, the Agency will consider expansion to other States on a case-by-case basis.\n\nIn its response, SSA did express concerns about certain assumptions we made in the\nreport. Specifically, the Agency stated that additional evaluation was needed to show\nthat matching agreements would result in the reduction of fraud and/or the recovery of\nimproper payments in SSA programs. SSA also expressed concern regarding privacy\nissues involved in pursuing matching agreements with States using biometric\ntechnologies. The Agency asserted that the Privacy Act and its modifications covering\ncomputer matching did not anticipate using biometrics for identification purposes.\nTherefore, SSA stated that it must exercise caution to ensure that biometrical\nidentification is accurate, voluntary and totally noncoercive.\n\nSSA was also concerned that by only matching with States that employ biometrics, SSA\nwould be subjecting a class of applicants to identification requirements above those\ngenerally required. Finally, SSA stated that it must also remain cautious about relying\non \xe2\x80\x9cmatches\xe2\x80\x9dwith State records that contain identifying information not consistent with\nSSA\xe2\x80\x99s data. SSA stated that doing so without the appropriate checks and balances\ncould lead to inappropriate questioning or even suspensions for individuals whose SSA\nbenefit eligibility is correct. The full text of SSA\xe2\x80\x99s comments is included as Appendix D.\n\n 12\n\n\x0cOIG RESPONSE\n\nWe are encouraged by SSA\xe2\x80\x99s decision to pursue a pilot matching agreement with the\nState of New York. Additionally, we agree with SSA\xe2\x80\x99s proposed plan to expand the\npilot to other States only if the matching agreement with New York proves beneficial.\n\nWe acknowledge SSA\xe2\x80\x99s concerns regarding the assumptions made in our report. We\nalso recognize that biometrics and matching agreements represent a new frontier for\nthe Agency. As such, we understand SSA\xe2\x80\x99s desire to proceed in this arena with\nthoughtful consideration. We believe that as SSA accumulates data and gains\nexperience during its pilot review, the Agency should be in a good position to assess\nthe actual costs versus benefits of matching as well as related privacy issues.\n\n\n\n\n 13\n\n\x0cAPPENDICES\n\n\x0c APPENDIX A\n\n\n\n USE OF BIOMETRICS IN STATE\n\n WELFARE PROGRAMS\n\n\n\nStates with Active Biometric Programs\n\n\nArizona\nThe Arizona Department of Economic Security began statewide finger-imaging of\nTemporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), general assistance and Food Stamp\napplicants in January 1998. A legislative study estimated that the program could save\nthe State $30 million over 5 years.\n\nCalifornia\nCalifornia has implemented finger-imaging in seven counties. On June 1, 1998, the\nState released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to expand its program, anticipating an\neventual enrollment of 6 million people statewide by March 2000, to support TANF,\ngeneral assistance and Food Stamp programs. The State estimates that using\nLos Angeles County\xe2\x80\x99s Automated Fingerprint Image Reporting and Match System\nimaging, savings of over $86 million have been realized in the first 2 years of operation,\nAugust 1994 to September 1996.\n\nConnecticut\nThe State of Connecticut\xe2\x80\x99s Department of Social Services (DSS) began statewide\nfinger-imaging in January 1996 for its Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC),\nwhich was changed to TANF by 1996 legislation, and general assistance programs. As\nof December 1998, Connecticut had enrolled 170,000 individuals. In a March 1998\nreport to the General Assembly, DSS stated that, through digital imaging, it had\nidentified 32 cases of attempted dual enrollment, 12 resulting in prosecution, closure or\nother administrative action, and 20 were under investigation. Including closed cases\nand attempted dual enrollments, DSS estimated savings of $9 million and $6 million in\nthe first 2 years of operation, respectively.\n\nConnecticut is also attempting to identify individuals simultaneously collecting benefits\nin two or more States by using biometric technology to cross-match finger-imaged files\nwith similar data in other States. The results from the match with New Jersey were\n\n\n\n A-1\n\n\x0cpromising. The fraud divisions of both States are investigating 53 potential fraud cases\nidentified from the match. Plans for a similar match with the State of New York are\nunderway.\n\nIllinois\nBetween 1990 and 1993, Illinois uncovered 36 cases of multiple case fraud costing\ntaxpayers over $326,000 in illegally obtained welfare benefits. These cases were\nfound by chance rather than systematically. Based on congressional estimates of the\nnational cost of fraudulent welfare identification schemes, Illinois estimated State\nlosses could exceed $1 billion. While the Department of Public Aid (DPA) felt its fraud\nprevention and detection techniques were proactive, DPA sought to complement and\nstrengthen its existing efforts with biometric identification techniques.\n\nIn July 1994, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation requiring DPA to test the\ncost-effectiveness of biometric identification systems as a fraud prevention measure.\nThe legislation mandated the testing of two types of biometric technology, finger-\nimaging and retinal scanning, the latter of which was terminated.\n\nIn February 1996, DPA implemented an electronic fingerprint-imaging system known as\nthe Automatic Identification and Match System (AIMS) as part of a 12-month\ndemonstration project to test fingerprint imaging in three metropolitan Chicago public\naid offices for the TANF program. In June 1997, legislation extended the AIMS project\nto 36 months.\n\nIn July 1997, responsibility for biometric identification systems was transferred from\nDPA to the Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS issued an Evaluation Report\nin December 1997 that described instances of multiple enrollments. For example, as of\nSeptember 1997, 34 potential multiple enrollments were referred for investigation with\n1 case being found to be actual multiple enrollment. This case resulted in $402 in\nidentified overpayments resulting from administrative error. DHS recommended\ntermination of the retinal scanning project and continuation of the AIMS project while\nmore precise technical and cost data were developed on a statewide basis.\n\nAs of December 1998, Illinois had enrolled 10,377 individuals under its TANF program.\nThe Secretary for DHS has announced that finger-imaging will be a requirement for all\nTANF and Food Stamp adults, with statewide implementation expected to begin in\nmid-2000.\n\nMassachusetts\nMassachusetts has implemented a pilot study using finger andfacial-imaging. The\nMassachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (MDTA) began enrollments\nunder the Image Identification System (IIS) in February 1996. As of December 1998,\nabout 280,000 individuals have been enrolled under the TANF, general assistance,\nand Food Stamp programs. No reports have been issued on savings, but MDTA feels\nthat the real value of IIS is in its deterrent effect.\n\n\n A-2\n\n\x0cNew York\nNew York\xe2\x80\x99s DSS implemented its Automated Finger-Imaging System (AFIS) in 1995 as\npart of a multiple county pilot. The pilot covered applicants and recipients under its\nAFDC (now TANF) and general welfare (Home Relief) programs.\n\nAs of December 1998, New York\xe2\x80\x99s DSS had enrolled about 1 million individuals in its\nfinger-imaging data base. DSS estimated savings of $396 million over the first 2 years\nof the program; resulting from 1,437 case denials for refusal at intake, some\n45,030 case closings, and 379 fraud investigations for dual enrollees.\n\nNew York is also planning to perform interstate matching of finger-imaged data to\nidentify individuals simultaneously collecting welfare benefits in two or more States.\nNew York\xe2\x80\x99s first State matches will be with Connecticut and New Jersey.\n\nNew Jersey\nThe New Jersey DHS began a pilot study in July 1995 using finger-imaging in the\nnorthern portion of the State, which included about half its general assistance\npopulation. As of December 1998, DHS had enrolled about 70,000 individuals in its\nfinger-imaging data base. DHS is working on the RFP for the general assistance\nprogram on a statewide basis. New Jersey has also performed a cross match with\nConnecticut and expects to perform a cross match with New York.\n\nTexas\nThe Texas DHS began a biometric pilot project covering two of its counties in\nOctober 1996. Using the Lone Star Image System (LSIS), individuals in the AFDC\n(now TANF) and Food Stamp programs were required to be finger-imaged.\n\nTexas DHS implemented LSIS statewide, and as of October 1999, had enrolled\n772,307 individuals. Cost avoidances were estimated at $6.4 million per year.\nAdditionally, 19 cases were referred to fraud investigators of which 4 resulted in\ncharges being filed, 3 resulted in administrative penalties, 9 were still under review,\nand 3 were found to be valid claims.\n\n\n\n\n A-3\n\n\x0cStates with Pending Biometric Programs\n\n\nFlorida\nThe Florida Department of Children and Families has initiated a pilot study using\nfinger-imaging.\n\nNorth Carolina\nThe North Carolina Legislature has mandated statewide implementation of a biometric\nimaging system to include TANF, Food Stamps and Medicaid recipients.\n\nPennsylvania\nThe Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare plans to fingerprint 830,000 welfare\nclients. As a result, the State estimates that it will realize budgetary savings or cost\navoidance of $290 million.\n\n\n\n\n A-4\n\n\x0c APPENDIX B\n\n\n\nSSA COVERED MATCHES WITH STATES\n\n\n\n State and To identify incarcerated\n Local Prisoner individuals receiving title II or\n Rolls title XVI benefits.\n\n\n\n\n State To identify unreported marriages\n Bureaus of Vital and divorces for\n Statistics title II and XVI beneficiaries.\n\n\n\n\n Beneficiary and To provide State welfare\n Earnings Data agencies with title II benefit and\n Exchange earnings information.\n\n\n\n\n State Data To provide States with title XVI\n Exchange benefit information.\n\n\n\n\n State\n To provide States with title II and\n Wire-to-Wire\n title XVI benefit information.\n Query Process\n\x0c APPENDIX C\n\n\n\n SAMPLE APPRAISALS\n\n\n\n TOTAL BENEFITS PAID FOR NEW YORK CASES\n THROUGH JANUARY 1998\n\nVariables Appraisal\n\n\nTotal Social Security Payments in Sample Cases $ 1,795,536.00\n\nTotal Sample Size 500\n\nAverage Total Dollar Payment $ 3,591.07\n($1,795,536.00/500)\n\nTotal Population 12,615\n\nTotal Value of Projected Social Security Payments to the\n\nPopulation of New York Applicants $45,301,373.001\n\n\n\n\nCONFIDENCE LEVEL: We are 90-percent confident that the actual value of all Social Security\npayments made through January 1998 to the population of terminated New York Aid to Families with\nDependent Children applicants is between $32,430,217 and $58,172,529.\n\n\n\n\n1\n This total represents an estimated $13,501,708 in title II payments and $31,799,665 in title XVI\npayments. We are 90-percent confident that the actual value of title II payments made through\nJanuary 1998, to the population of terminated New York Aid to Families with Dependent Children\napplicants is between $6,778.278 and $20,225,139. We are also 90-percent confident that the actual\nvalue of title XVI payments to this same population is between $21,258,066 and $42,341,264.\n\n\n C-1\n\n\x0cAttributes Appraisal\n\n\nTotal Population 12,615\n\nTotal Sample Size 500\n\nNumber of Cases with Social Security Benefit Payments 64\n\nProjection of the Number of Cases in Total Population of\n\nTerminated New York Applicants with Social Security Benefit Payments 1,6152\n\n\n\n\nCONFIDENCE LEVEL: We are 90-percent confident that the actual number of cases in the total\npopulation of terminated New York AFDC applicants who received Social Security benefit payments is\nbetween 1,318 and 1,952.\n\n\n\n\n2\n This total represents an estimated 858 individuals who received title II payments and 883 individuals\nwho received title XVI payments. The total of these figures exceeds 1,615 because 5 individuals within\nour sample received benefits under both programs. We are 90-percent confident that the actual number\nof cases that received title II benefits is between 640 and 1,124 and title XVI benefits is between 662 and\n1,152.\n\n\n C-2\n\n\x0cESTIMATE OF FUTURE SSA BENEFITS FOR NEW YORK CASES\n\nTHAT WILL BE PAID BETWEEN\n\nFEBRUARY 1998 AND FEBRUARY 20013\n\n\nVariables Appraisal\n\n\nTotal Future Social Security Benefits in Sample Cases $ 648,936.00\n\nTotal Sample Size 500\n\nAverage Total Dollar Payment $ 1,297.87\n($648,936.00/500)\n\nTotal Population 12,615\n\nTotal Value of Projected Future Social Security Benefits to the\n\nPopulation of Terminated New York Welfare Applicants $16,372,655.004\n\n\n\n\n\n3\n Future projections assume that factors affecting payment levels will remain constant for 3 years after\nJanuary 1998 (e.g., zero inflation, all terminated beneficiaries will collect payments throughout the entire\n3-year period).\n4\n This total represents an estimated $4,514,151 in title II payments and $11,858,504 in title XVI\npayments. We are 90-percent confident that the actual value of future title II benefits that will be paid to\nthe population of terminated New Your AFDC applicants over the period February 1998 to February 2001\nis between $1,741.338 and $7,286,965. We are also 90-percent confident that the actual value of title\nXVI payments that will be paid to this population is between $8,207,856 and $15,509,152.\n\n\n\n\n C-3\n\n\x0cCONFIDENCE LEVEL: We are 90-percent confident that the actual value of future SSA benefits that\nwill be paid to the population of terminated New York AFDC applicants between February 1998 to\nFebruary 2001 is between $11,815,594 and $20,929,716.\n\n\n\n\n C-4\n\n\x0c APPENDIX D\n\n\nAGENCY COMMENTS\n\n\x0cCOMMENTS ON THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG) DRAFT REPORT,\n"THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IS PURSUING MATCHING AGREEMENTS\nWITH NEW YORK AND OTHER STATES USING BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGIES" (A-08-\n98-41007)"\n\nRecommendation\n\nPursue a matching agreement with New York so that the Agency can\nuse the results of the State\'s biometric technologies to reduce\nand/or recover any improper benefit payments.\n\nComment\n\nWe will pursue a pilot matching agreement with New York.\n\nRecommendation\n\nInitiate pilot reviews to assess the cost efficiency of matching\ndata with other States that have employed biometrics in their\nSocial Service programs.\n\nComment\n\nShould the New York pilot prove beneficial, expansion to other\nStates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.\n\n\n\n\n D-3\n\n\x0c APPENDIX E\n\n\n\n MAJOR REPORT CONTRIBUTORS\n\nOffice of the Inspector General\n\nGary Kramer, Director, Program Audits\n\n\nKim Byrd, Deputy Director, Enumeration Issue Area\n\n\nCharles Lober, Senior Auditor\n\n\n\nFor additional copies of this report, please contact the Office of the Inspector General\xe2\x80\x99s\nPublic Affairs Specialist at (410) 966-9558. Refer to Common Identification Number\nA-08-98-41007.\n\x0c APPENDIX F\n\n\n\nSSA ORGANIZATIONAL CHART\n\n\x0c'


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Fête in Vilnius and Paris: 2013
 Ruduo savaime įpareigoja keisti rutiną, ne tik susitaikyti su pasibaigusiu atostogų ritmu ir lyg iš gausybės rago pasipylusiais darbais, bet ir palaipsniui peržiūrėti savo kosmetikos stalelį. Lengvą lūpų balzamą su malonumu pakeičiau į kiek riebesnį - "Nivea" lūpų sviestą su vanile ir Makadamijos riešutais. Priekaištų neturiu ne tik pačiam produktui, bet ir pakuotei, kurią visuomet malonu rasti rankinės gilumoje. "Biotherm" BB kremas - malonaus kvapo, neapsunkinantis odos ir leidžiantis jai kvėpuoti, sulyginantis odos tekstūrą. Man - tobulas produktas, leidžiantis pamiršti kreminės pudros sluoksnius. Aš naudoju spalvą light to medium, kuri nepriekaištingai tinka jau pamiršusiam saulės bučinius veidui. Neįsivaizduoju šaltojo sezono be rankų kremo. Jau ne pirmus metus mano favoritas - "L'Occitane" vyšnių žiedų rankų kremas. Ko gero, svarbiausia tokio produkto savybė man yra greitas susigėrimas, kad kremą būtų galima naudoti skubant į autobusą ar laukiant paskaitos, kartu nebijant, jog vėliau viskas slys iš rankų... Galiausiai, prisitaikyti prie rudens spalvų padės "Maybelline Color Tattoo 24h" kreminiai akių šešėliai, spalva "On and on bronze". Tos, kurios, kaip ir aš, seka vadinamasias beauty gurus youtube.com svetainėje, prisimins, kaip liaupsinamas šis produktas. Iš tiesų, tai - nepakeičiama grožio priemonė, kurią galima naudoti ir kaip šešėlių pagrindą, ir kaip viso makiažo akcentą. Šešėlius lengva sluoksniuoti, galima išgauti nuo labai šviesios, vos subtiliai blizgančios, iki išties dramatiškos spalvos. Be to, produktą patogu nešiotis su savimi! Be ko savo rudens grožio ritualų neįsivaizduojate Jūs? Autumn is that time of the year that automatically makes you change your daily routine, and I'm not only talking about shifting from holiday to work mode. For example, I easily changed my super light lip balm to a lot more nourishing lip butter from "Nivea" which is in vanilla and macadamia flavour. I love not only the product itself but also the packaging which is attractive that it's always nice to find it deep in my handbag. Next is this "Biotherm" BB cream which is so light, unifies the whole skin texture and has this amazing smell. For me personally it is the perfect product since I could stop using foundation (FYI I am not a fan of foundations). I use the shade light to medium and it is the perfect shade for my autumn face that has already forgotten it was once kissed by sun rays. Also, I cannot imagine the cold season without a hand cream and my all time favourite is the one from "L'Occitane" that smells like cherry blossom. The most important quality in a hand cream for me is the quick absorption into the skin so that I could use it while on the bus or waiting for classes and not get that sticky feeling. Finally, if you really want to make an effort and match the falling leaves, I recommend using "Maybelline Color Tattoo 24h" cream eyeshadow in the colour "On and on bronze". For those of you who, just like me, are following beauty gurus on youtube.com it may not be such a surprise because everybody is raving about this product a lot but I can understand why. It is just a perfect product that can be used as a base for other eyeshadows or as the main accent of your whole makeup look. It can be easily layered from really subtle to very dramatic colour, besides, it is so convenient to carry around! So, tell me, what are the products you cannot imagine your autumn without? Posted by
 Paryžius, be savo romantiškosios architektūros ir šaligatviais besidriekiančių kavinių, dar žavus ir tuo, jog jame sau veiklos ras kone kiekvienas. Renginiai, ekspozicijos, koncertai vilioja mokslo, istorijos, meno mėgėjus. Štai neseniai mados mylėtojai ar tiesiog smalsuoliai galėjo aplankyti išskirtinę parodą, kvietusią iš arčiau susipažinti su mums taip gerai pažįstamu, tačiau retai kada apibūdinamu daugiau nei vos keliais žodžiais drabužiu - maža juoda suknele. Paris is charming not only because of its romantic architecture and miles of pavement cafes but also because there are plenty of things to do for everyone's taste. You will find a vast variety of concerts, exhibitions and other events for science, history and art lovers. For example recently all the fashionistas and other curious people had the chance to visit an extraordinary exhibition focused on a piece of clothing that we all talk about very often but don't usually say more than just a couple of words - the little black dress. Toliau/Read more »
 The problem with me is that every time I want to buy something new I find myself considering blue pieces only. I know, I know, blue (or navy) is almost the same as black - a very basic colour. But royal blue is also, well, royal. It's the perfect shade for the night outfits, be it a long silk dress or a structured tweed jacket. Besides, since it's autumn time one cannot live without a thick navy jumper or a cozy wool sweater that you can wrap yourself up. And don't even get me started on how perfect all the accessories look in blue shades! A combination that looks tempting is a dark blue dress completed with a baby blue clutch and a nice pair of riding boots. So, did I convince anyone to go all crazy about the bleu royal? Posted by
 Kiekvienas ruduo man yra svarbesnė pradžia nei Naujieji metai. Auksinis rugsėjis žada naujas žinias, nustebusias šypsenas, pasiilgtas ir gal kiek pamirštas vietas bei, kaip savo knygose mėgsta sakyti Joanne Harris (bei The Scorpions), pokyčių vėją. Spalis su savimi atsineša brandos, augimo džiaugsmą, obuolių pyrago ir gimtadienio žvakučių kvapą bei mada alsuojantį Paryžių. Na, o lapkritis... Lapkritis skirtas susikaupimui, lietaus už lango stebėjimui ir nekantrumui laukiant pasirodančių pirmųjų mandarinų. Rudenį noriu pasitikti apsiavusi savo šokinėjimui per balas tinkančiais juodais odiniais aulinukais, plačiai atmerktomis akimis ir raudonais it Paryžiaus stogai nagais. Labas, krentantys lapai!
 Every autumn is a much more important new beginning for me than the New Year. The golden September brings knowledge, surprised smiles, places there were missed or even a tiny bit forgotten and the wind of change, as Joanne Harris (and The Scorpions) would call it. Then October is full of joy of wisdom and growth, the smell of apple pies and birthday candles as well as classy Parisian fashion. While November... Well, November is meant to be the time of concentrating to yourself, listening to the rain outside and waiting impatiently for the first tangerines. I want to meet this autumn wearing my leather ankle boots that are so perfect for jumping over the puddles, having widely opened eyes and painting my nails the same red colour as the rooftops in Paris. Oh, hi falling leaves!
 Šių dienų mada, kuomet dar vienam šaltajam sezonui nepasibaigus stebime kito rudens kolekcijas, neišvengiamai asocijuojasi su žiūrėjimu į priekį. Tendencijos keičia viena kitas, tai, ką nešiojome vakar, šiandien jau neatrodo nauja ir modernu. Visgi šį saulėtą pirmadienį užvaldyta geros nuotaikos netikėtai užklupau save svajojant apie tai, kas jau praėjo: lengvas, kiek provokuojančias sukneles, tobulai tinkančias tvankiam vasaros vakarui, bei laikus, kuomet Stefano Pilati dar ramiai sėdėjo "Yves Saint Laurent" vyriausiojo dizainerio kėdėje. In these days when when fashion is moving at such pace it is impossible to not associate fashion with looking forward all the time. Trends change one another and things that we wore yesterday are not modern nor new today. However, this sunny Monday I was in such a good mood and I accidentally caught myself daydreaming about what has already gone: light but at the same time provocative dresses that are so perfect for hot summer evenings and those times when Stefano Pilati was still quietly working as the creative director of "Yves Saint Laurent". Toliau/Read more »
 Aš, ko gero, kaip ir jūs, kasdien tikrinu kalendorių: noriu įsitikinti, jog tikrai prasidėjo antrasis pavasario mėnuo, nes orai už lango nė iš tolo neprimena gamtos renesanso. Net jei šviečia saulė ir termometro stulpelis kyla aukščiau nulio, išsirinkti aprangą, su kuria nebūtų nei per šalta, nei per karšta - tikras iššūkis. Tad kokius drabužių derinius, padedančius išgyventi šį pereinamąjį laikotarpį tarp šaltuko ir pavasarinės šilumos, rinktis? I, just like probably a lot of people these days, can't stop checking the calendar: it's unbelievable that we're already in the beginning of April but the weather outside doesn't remind me at all of the renaissance of nature. Even if the sun's shining and the temperature is above zero degrees Celsius, it's a real challenge to pick clothes that are neither too cold nor too hot for this type of weather. So what is that perfect outfit that could help you survive this period between the cold season and the warmth of Spring? Toliau/Read more »
 Welcome spring! H&M blouse and blazer, Chloé The Alison leather tote, Zara moccasins, Gucci shorts, O.P.I. nail polish
 Prancūzijoje šiandien - pirmoji pavasario diena (kovo 21-oji). Nors už lango dar nelepina šiluma, mintys jau nuklydusios ten, kur galima nusimesti paltuką visai nebijant peršalti. Ko gero, vienas gražiausių šiltojo sezono derinių, kurio nepavyko išbandyti praėjusiais metais, bet, tikiuosi, pavyks šiemet, man yra šortų ir prie jų derančio tiesaus kirpimo švarko. Jau teko parduotuvėse pasižvalgyti į pieno baltumo ar oranžinį derinius, bet, išvydusi šiuos gėlėtus šortus, pamaniau, jog lygiai taip pat gerai atrodytų ir marga apatinė dalis su derančio atspalvio švarku. Mano inspiration folder jau perpildytas pavasarinių derinių nuotraukų, o jūsų? Today it's officialy the first day of spring (21st of March) here in France. Although it's not quite warm outside yet, my mind is already somewhere far away, in a place where you can take your coat off witouth being afraid to catch a cold. I guess for me one of the most beautiful outfits that I didn't try last year but hope to be able to pull off this year is the suit of shorts and a blazer. I have already seen a white one and an orange one in the shops that I really liked, but after I had seen these floral printed shorts I though: why not pair printed bottom with the blazer of the matching shade? My inspiration folder is already full with photos of spring outfits, how about yours? Posted by
 Ilgai lauktas ir greitai pasibaigęs mados mėnuo paliko ne tik neišdildomus kolekcijų įspūdžius bei norą nejučia pradėti galvoti, kuo savo garderobą reikės papildyti kitą šaltąjį sezoną. Ne mažiau įdomu buvo stebėti ir gatvės stilių. Nors nemažai kalbų sukėlęs Suzy Menkes straipsnis apie tai, jog mada ir mados savaitės virsta cirku, išties privertė suabejoti kai kurių industrijos žmonių asmeniniu (skaityti: parodomuoju) stiliaus pojūčiu, netrūko ir baltai pavydėti privertusių derinių. The long-awaited fashion month that ended really quickly (seriously, where does time fly?) has left us with not only impressions about all the unforgettable collections or desire to plan your autumn/winter'13 just after the shows had ended. It was equally exciting to watch that fabulous street style life. Although the article by Suzy Menkes in which she talks about how fashion and fashion weeks have turned into some sort of circus really made me question the so called personal (read: demonstrative) sense of style of many people in the industry, there were also a lot of great outfits that could make you green with envy. Toliau/Read more »
 Man mada turi savybę sukelti dvejopus jausmus: arba kolekcija nepalieka jokios įspūdžio (į šią kategoriją patenka ir vidutiniškos kolekcijos, kurios, mano manymu, yra dar blogiau nei tikrai prastos), arba beprotiškai įsimyliu kiekvieną kolekcijos drabužį, detalę, spalvą, klostę. Taip atsitiko su "Valentino" mados namų darbu ateinančiam šaltajam sezonui, pristatytu Paryžiaus mados savaitės metu. Fashion usually has a dual effect on me: a collection either doesn't leave any impression at all (mediocre collections also belong to this category since mediocrity is even worse than a really bad collection) or, on the contrary, makes me fall in love with every piece, every detail, colour or pattern. The latter happened after I had seen the "Valentino" show for the next cold season which was presented during Paris Fashion Week. Toliau/Read more »
 Un unexpectedly warm beginning of spring here in Paris makes us not only change our habits left from winter (well, at least I substitute chocolate by evening walks), but also start planning our wardrobes for the warm season. Toliau/Read more »
 Po kiek kontroversiškos Milano mados savaitės prasidėjusi Paryžiaus mados šventė žadėjo būti ypatinga. Ko gero, laukiamiausia buvo Alexander Wang debiutinė kolekcija "Balenciaga" mados namams, tačiau nė kiek ne mažiau klausimų kėlė ir tai, ką šį sezoną "Christian Dior" kolekcijai paruošė Raf Simons ar kaip atrodys "Saint Laurent Paris" moteris (dar viena Hedi Sliman darbą publika išvydo šį vakarą). Tačiau šįkart norėjau pasidalinti mintimis apie Riccardo Tisci ir jo kelionę legendiniuose "Givenchy" mados namuose. After, let's say, controversial Milan fashion week the Parisian fashion fete promised to be really special. The show everybody couldn't wait to see was of course Alexander Wang's debut at "Balenciaga", but you could also feel the anticipation in the air outside the venue of "Christian Dior" or when talking about what we'll see on the "Saint Laurent Paris" runway later this evening. However, today I wanted to share with you my thoughts on Riccardo Tisci and his journey at the legendary "Givenchy" fashion empire. Toliau/Read more »
 Paryžietiškas šaltis, minios žmonių, svečių vardus šaukiantys fotografai, kone maldaujantys atsisukti į jų kameras ir... nekantrus laukimas, kokią Raf Simons viziją išvysime šį kartą. Turbūt nedaugelio mados namų klientės galėtų varžytis su "Christian Dior" moterų grožiu, elegancija, gracija ir šypsenomis. Ką tik prie Invalidų rūmų stebėjusi mados industrijos grietinėlę, dalinuosi su jumis pirmaisiais atvykstančių svečių kadrais. Pilna apžvalga - jau vakare. Real Parisian cold, a huge crowd, photographers shouting the names of guests and almost begging them to look at their cameras and... curiosity about what Raf Simons' vision we'll see this time. I don't think a lot of clients of other fashion houses could beat the elegance, beauty, smile and grace of "Christian Dior" women. Half an hour ago I was still standing near Les Invalides watching all the crème de la crème of the fashion industry, and now I want to share with you some shots of the guests. I'll be back with the full review later this evening. Toliau/Read more »
 Nežinau, kaip jūs, bet man pavasarį sunku atsilaikyti neatnaujinus kosmetinės turinio. Apskritai kosmetikos naudoju itin mažai, kasdien negaliu gyventi tik be blakstienų tušo ir lūpų balzamo, o kreminę pudrą ar BB kremą susirandu tik žiemai, kuomet norisi gyvesnės veido spalvos ir apsaugos nuo šalčio. Juk mažiau yra daugiau, tiesa? Visgi, kai saulė nedrąsiai rodo pirmuosius šiltus spindulius, o švelnėjantis vėjas neleidžia suabejoti, jog pavasaris - jau čia pat, ant kosmetikos stalelio vietos atsiranda ir ryškesniems lūpų dažams ar spindesio veidui suteikiantiems skaistalams. Tad skubu dalintis savo kosmetikos must have produktais pavasariui. I don't know about you, but in spring I cannot resist buying some new beauty products. I generally use really little makeup: I couldn't live without mascara and a lip balm, but I only use foundation or a BB cream during winter when I want my face to have some colour and a better protection from cold weather. Less is more, right? However, when the sun starts to shine a little more often and the wind becomes so soft that you understand that spring is really just around the corner, some brighter lipsticks and a shiny blush also find their place on my vanity table. So here's my list of must have beauty products for spring. Toliau/Read more »
 1. Mango shoes. 2. Chloé bag. 3. Zara pants. 4. Guerlain Météorites. 5. Stella McCartney silk blouse. 6. Chanel vernis in the colour 543 Frisson.
 I have to confess that I was never a fan of Alexander Wang. Well, honestly, I've never even understood why everybody goes crazy about every little thing this guy from New York creates. I think it's just another example of how the beginning of a successful career suddenly transforms into simple marketing and consumption: he can create whatever he wants because in the end everything will be bought by the crowd of pretending-to-be business women. That's why the news of Alexander becoming the new creative director of "Balenciaga"didn't make me happy at all. However, the collection I saw yesterday made me look at his work differently. Toliau/Read more »
 Miroslava Duma by Tommy Ton. Turiu prisipažinti, jog maniau galėsianti nuo to susilaikyti. Tačiau... nuo šiol naujienas galite sekti ir "Fête in Vilnius and Paris" facebook puslapyje. I have to admit I though I could resist doing this. Well... from now on you can keep up with all the news on "Fête in Vilnius and Paris" facebook page, too. Posted by
 Bottega Veneta S/S 2013 Campaign Turbūt dažnas mados mylėtojas sutiks, jog paaiškinti žmogui, nesidominčiam mada, jog mados namų reklaminė kampanija - tai ne tik pirkimą skatinantis reiškinys, bet ir ne mažiau svarbi industrijos dalis nei, tarkim, pati kolekcija, yra praktiškai neįmanoma. I think a lot of fashion lovers would agree with me that it is extremely difficult to explain to an "ordinary" person (and by "ordinary" I mean the one who doesn't care about fashion so much) that ads aren't just a phenomenon to encourage consumption. They are not less important as, say, the collection itself.