2014-00658. Proposed Information Collection (Application for VA Education Benefits) Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision without change of a currently approved collection and allow 60 days for public comment in response to this notice. This notice solicits comments for information needed to determine a claimant's eligibility for educational benefits.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before March 17, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M35), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email to [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0154” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nancy J. Kessinger at [phone] or FAX [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VBA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Titles:

a. Application for VA Education Benefits, VA Form 22-1990.

b. Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits, VA Form 22-1990E.

c. Application for VA Education Benefits Under the National Call to Service (NCS) Program, VA Form 22-1990N.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0154.

Type of Review: Revision without change of a currently approved collection.

Abstract:

a. Claimants complete VA Form 22-1990 to apply for education assistance allowance.

b. Claimants who signed an enlistment contract with the Department of Defense for the National Call to Service program and elected one of the two education incentives complete VA Form 22-1990E.

c. VA Form 22-1990N is completed by claimants who wish to transfer his or her Montgomery GI Bill entitlement their dependents.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 263,827 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 30 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One-time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 855,652.

Dated: January 10, 2014.

By direction of the Secretary.

Crystal Rennie,

VA Clearance Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.