2012-27469. Proposed Information Collection (eBenefits Portal) Activity: Comment Request

AGENCY:

Office of Information and Technology, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Office of Information and Technology (OI&T), 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 information needed to access the eBenefits portal.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before January 14, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through the 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 [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0737” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online at 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, OI&T invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OI&T's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of OI&T'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: eBenefits Portal.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0737.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The eBenefits portal, a joint project between the VA and DoD, is intended to serve as a single point of entry for benefits information. Users include members of the armed forces, veterans, wounded warriors, family members, delegates, and caregivers. Users wishing to access the full functionality of the eBenefits portal will register for a single sign-on credential that will ultimately be shared by other VA and DoD portals. The eBenefits portal allows authenticated users to create profiles for themselves so they can see a customized view of their homepage, receive personalized alerts, view a calendar of appointments, view content related to their benefits, and opt into other individualized features. Profiles will initially be populated with data from the existing Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting database, but will also offer users the option to indicate preferences and individual details that will enable the portal to deliver personalized information.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 55,000 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 2 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,650,000.

Dated: November 6, 2012.

By direction of the Secretary.

Robert C. McFetridge,

Director, Office of Regulations Policy and Management, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.