E9-5673. Proposed Information Collection Request on the ETA 5159, Claims and Payment Activities; Comment Request for Extension Without Change

AGENCY:

Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collection of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.

A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this notice or by accessing: http://www.doleta.gov/​OMBCN/​OMBControlNumber.cfm.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addressee section below on or before May 18, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to Scott Gibbons, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Workforce Security, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Frances Perkins Bldg. Room S-4531, Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202)-693-3308 (this is not a toll-free number) or by e-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The ETA 5159 report contains information on claims activities including the number of initial claims, first payments, weeks claimed, weeks compensated, benefit payments and final payments.

These data are used in budgetary and administrative planning, program evaluation, actuarial and program research, and reports to Congress and the public.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the ETA 5159, Claims and Payment Activites report. Comments are requested to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary to describe claims and payment activities, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

This is a request for OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) for continuing an existing collection of information previously approved and assigned OMB Control No. 1205-0010.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration

Title: Claims and Payment Activities.

OMB Number: 1205-0010.

Agency Number: ETA 5159.

Affected Public: State Government.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc: ETA 5159.

Total Respondents: 53.

Frequency: Monthly.

Total Responses: 636.

Average Time per Response: 2 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1272 hours per year.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: March 11, 2009.

Cheryl Atkinson,

Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.