03-25838. 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 extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to verify the actual number of hours worked by a work-study claimant.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before December 15, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20S52), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420 e-mail: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0379” 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. 3501-21), 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: Time Record (Work-Study Program), VA Form 22-8690.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0379.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 22-8690 is used to report the number of hours completed and to ensure that the amount of benefits payable to a claimant who is pursuing work-study is correct. When a claimant elects to receive an advance payment, VA will make the advance payment for 50 hours, but will withhold benefits (to recoup the advance payment) until the claimant completes his or her 50 hours of service. VA will not pay any additional amount in advance payment cases until the claimant completes a total of 100 hours of service (50 hours for the advance payment and 50 hours for an additional payment). If the claimant elects not to receive an advance payment, benefits are payable when the claimant completes 50 hours of service.

Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Governments, Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions, and Federal Government.

Estimated Annual Burden: 10,750 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 5 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Annual Responses: 129,000.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 32,250.

Dated: October 1, 2003.

By direction of the Secretary.

Jacqueline Parks,

IT Specialist, Records Management Service.