E5-6042. Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Office of General Counsel (OGC), 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 determine accredited service organization representatives' qualification to represent claimants before VA.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before January 3, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Michelle D.D. Bernstein (022G2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0018” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michelle D.D. Bernstein 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, OGC invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OGC's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of OGC'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: Accreditation of Service Organization Representatives, VA Form 21.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0018.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Service organizations are required to file an application with VA to establish eligibility for accreditation for representatives of the organization to represent benefit claimants before VA. VA Form 21 is completed by service organizations to establish accreditation for representatives, recertify the qualifications of accredited representatives, and to cancel representatives' accreditation due to misconduct or lack of competence. VA uses the information collected to determine whether service organizations' representatives continue to meet regulatory eligibility requirements and to ensure claimants have qualified representatives to assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of their claims for benefits.

Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Annual Burden: 1,025 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 15 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,867.

Dated: October 19, 2005.

By direction of the Secretary.

Denise McLamb,

Program Analyst, Records Management Service.