99-28271. Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 208 (Thursday, October 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 58130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28271]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-NEW (Survey of Benefits Usage)]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of Planning and Analysis, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Planning and Analysis, 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 of 
information, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the 
notice. This notice solicits comments on the information that will be 
collected by a telephone survey concerning the usage of VA benefits.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before December 27, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Marcelle Habibion, Task Order Project Manager, Office of Assistant 
Secretary for Planning and Analysis (008B2), Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20420. Please refer to 
``OMB Control No. 2900-NEW (Survey of Benefits Usage)'' in any 
correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcelle Habibion at [phone] or 
FAX [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 
U.S.C., 3501-3520), 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, the Office 
of Planning and Analysis invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
VA's functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of VA'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: Survey of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits 
Usage.
    OMB Control Number: None assigned.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Abstract: The proposed telephone survey is intended to collect data 
as part of a program evaluation to assess the effectiveness and 
efficiency of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs which assist 
the survivors of veterans and servicemembers who die of service-
connected disabilities (in the case of Dependency and Indemnity 
Compensation) or with service-connected disabilities (in the case of 
Insurance) and certain other veterans. This evaluation will fulfill the 
ongoing requirements of Public Law 103-62, the Government Performance 
and Results Act of 1993; Title 38, U.S.C., Section 527, Evaluation and 
Data Collection; and Title 38 CFR, Section 1.15, Standards for Program 
Evaluation. In addition, this evaluation will fulfill the specific 
requirements of Public Law 105-368, Section 303, Assessment of 
Effectiveness of Insurance and Survivor Benefits Programs for Survivors 
of Veterans with Service-connected Disabilities.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent and Annual Burden:

a. 2,604 survivors @ 35 minutes per response = 1,519 hours
b. 1,511 insurance takers @ 20 minutes per response = 505 hours
c. 1386 non-insurance takers @ 15 minutes per response = 347 hours.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,501.

    Dated: October 13, 1999.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28271 Filed 10-27-99; 8:45 am]
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