05-5235. Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-21), this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs, has submitted the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before April 18, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Denise McLamb, Records Management Service (005E3), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., or e-mail [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0215.” Send comments and recommendations concerning any aspect of the information collection to VA's OMB Desk Officer, OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, [phone]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0215” in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Request for Information To Make Direct Payment to Child Reaching Majority, VA, Form Letter 21-863.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0215.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form Letter 21-863 is used to determine a schoolchild's continued eligibility to VA death benefits and eligibility to direct payment at the age of majority. Death pension or dependency and indemnity compensation is paid to an eligible veteran's child when there is not an eligible surviving spouse and the child is between the ages of 18 and 23 and attending school. Until the child reaches the age of majority, payment is made to a custodian or fiduciary on behalf of the child. An unmarried schoolchild, who is not incompetent, is entitled to begin receiving direct payment on the age of majority.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on November 17, 2004 at page 67389.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 3 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 10 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One-time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.

Dated: February 28, 2005.

By direction of the Secretary.

Loise Russell,

Director, Records Management Service.