E5-5567. Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 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 new collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to determine a claimant's continued eligibility for educational benefits.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before December 12, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M35), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0178” in any correspondence.

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.

Title: Monthly Certification of On-the-Job and Apprenticeship Training, VA Form 22-6553d and VA Form 22-6553d-1.

OMB Control Number: OMB Control No. 2900-0178.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Claimants receiving on the job and apprenticeship training complete VA Form 22-6553d to report the number of hours worked. Schools or training establishments also complete the form to report whether the claimant's educational benefits are to be continued, unchanged or terminated, and the effective date of such action. VA Form 22-6553d-1 is an identical printed copy of VA Form 22-6553d. The regional processing office uses VA Form 22-6553d-1 when the computer-generated version of the form is not available. VA uses the data to properly process the claimant's educational claim or to monitor his or her progress during training.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government, and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Estimated Annual Burden: 15,750 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 10 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Monthly.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,500.

Number of Responses Annually: 94,500.

Dated: October 6, 2005.

By direction of the Secretary.

Denise McLamb,

Program Analyst, Records Management Service.