[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 174 (Friday, September 6, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 47236-47238] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-22749] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collections; Comment Request AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on these information collections. This request for comments is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Comments should address the accuracy of the burden estimates and ways to minimize the burden including the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology, as well as other relevant aspects of the information collection. DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposals for the collection of information should be received by no later than November 5, 1996. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M30), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. All comments will become a matter of public record and will be summarized in the VBA request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. In this document the VBA is soliciting comments concerning the following information collections: OMB Control Number: None assigned. [[Page 47237]] Title and Form Number: State Application for Interment Allowance Under 38 U.S.C., Chapter 23, VA Form 21-530a. Type of Review: New collection. Need and Uses: The information is requested under the authority of Title 38 U.S.C., 2303, which authorizes payment to a State of $150 as a plot or internment allowance for the burial of an eligible veteran in a cemetery owed by that State and used solely for the interment of persons eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Current Actions: Title 38 U.S.C., 2304, requires that applications for payment must be made within 2 years of the burial of the veteran. The use of VA Form 21-530a will allow the State to consolidate applications for submission for payment. This information will reduce the processing time and ensure payment to the State in a more timely manner. VA Form 21-531a will be used to gather information from a State that is seeking payment of benefits for plot-interment allowances. This information is necessary for payment of the allowance. Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government. Estimated Annual Burden: 20,000 hours. Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 30 minutes. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Estimated Number of Respondents: 40,000. OMB Control Number: 2900-0104. Title and Form Number: Report of Accidental Injury in Support of Claim for Compensation or Benefits, VA Form 21-4176. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Need and Uses: The form is used in support of claims for disability benefits based on disability which is the result of an accident. The information given by the veteran is used as a source to gather specific data regarding the accident and to afford the veteran an opportunity to provide information from his or her own knowledge regarding the accident. Current Actions: The VA gathers the information to comply with Title 38 U.S.C., 105, 1110, 1131, and 1521a, which provide basic requirements for line of duty and misconduct determinations. Benefits may be paid if a disability is incurred in line of duty and is not the result of the veteran's own willful misconduct under 38 CFR 3.301. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Estimated Annual Burden: 2,200 hours. Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 30 minutes. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,400. OMB Control Number: 2900-0198. Title and Form Number: Application for Annual Clothing Allowance, VA Form 21-8678. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Need and Uses: The form is used to gather the necessary information to determine if the veteran has established entitlement to a clothing allowance payment. Current Actions: The information is requested under the authority of Title 38 U.S.C., 1162, which provides a clothing allowance to a veteran who has service connected disability that causes him or her to wear or use a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance which tends to wear out or tear clothing. 38 CFR 3.810 grants entitlement to the clothing allowance upon application by the veteran. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Estimated Annual Burden: 1,120 hours. Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 10 minutes. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,720. OMB Control Number: 2900-0379. Title and Form Number: Work-Study Time Record (Student Services), VA Form 22-8690. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Need and Uses: The information is used to ensure that the amount of benefits payable to the student who is pursuing work-study is correct. Without the information, the VBA would not have a basis upon which to make payment. Current Actions: The VA has authority to pay work study allowance to veterans, reservists, and qualified dependents under Chapters 30, 32, and 25, Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter 1606, Title 10 U.S.C. Benefits are payable after completion of 50 hours of service after the initial advance payment is made (100 hours). VA Form 22-8690 serves as the report of hours completed. Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government; Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions. Estimated Annual Burden: 12,975 hours. Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 15 minutes. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Estimated Number of Respondents: 51,900. OMB Control Number: 2900-0399. Title and Form Number: Student Beneficiary Report - REPS, VA Form 21-8938. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Need and Uses: The form is used to verify that an individual who is receiving the REPS (Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors) benefits based on schoolchild status is in fact enrolled full-time in an approved school and is otherwise eligible for continued benefits. The form is released each March and sent to all student beneficiaries. If the form were not used, payments would continue to be made to ineligible payees and substantial overpayments would result. Current Actions: The program pays VA benefits to certain surviving spouses and children of veterans who died in service prior to August 13, 1981, or who died as a result of a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated prior to August 13, 1981. Child beneficiaries must be enrolled full-time in an approved post-secondary school. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Estimated Annual Burden: 1,767 hours. Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 20 minutes. Frequency of Response: Annually. Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,300. OMB Control Number: 2900-0460. Title and Form Number: Request for Verification of Employment, VA Form 26-8497. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Need and Uses: The form is used by lenders to verify a loan applicant's income and employment information when making guaranteed and insured loans. The VA, however, does not require the exclusive use of VA Form 26-8497 for verification purposes; any comprehensible form of independent verification would be acceptable, provided all information presently shown on VA Form 26-8497 is provided. VA Form 26- 8497 is also used in processing direct loan cases, offers on acquired properties, and release of liability/substitution of entitlement cases when needed. Current Actions: The VA collects data necessary for compliance with the requirements of Title 38 U.S.C. 3710(b) (2) and (3). These requirements prohibit the VA from guarantying or making any loan unless the contemplated terms of payment required in the mortgage, to be [[Page 47238]] given in part payment of the purchase price or the construction cost, bear a proper relation to the veteran's present and anticipated income and expenses and that the veteran is a satisfactory credit risk. Affected Public: Business or other for-profit. Estimated Annual Burden: 58,750 hours. Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 15 minutes. Frequency of Response: On occasion Estimated Number of Respondents: 235,000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the formd should be directed to Department of Veterans Affairs, Attn: Jacquie McCray, Information Management Service (045A4), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, Telephone (202) 273-8032 or FAX (202) 273-5981. Dated: August 22, 1996. By direction of the Secretary. Donald L. Neilson, Director, Information Management Service. [FR Doc. 96-22749 Filed 9-5-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320-01-P