E7-3632. Bureau of Justice Assistance; Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested

ACTION:

60-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review Extension of currently approved collection.

Bureau of Justice Assistance Application Form: Claim for Death Benefits Form. The Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, has submitted the following information collection request for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for “sixty days” until May 1, 2007. If you have additional comments, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions or additional information, please contact M. Pressley 1-866-859-2687, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, 810 7th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20531.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

—Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 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 through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Overview of this information collection:

(1) Type of information collection: Extension of currently approved collection.

(2) The title of the form/collection: Claim for Death Benefits Form.

(3) The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection: None. Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice. OJP Form 1240/20. Form number?

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract:

Primary: Dependents of public safety officers who were killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.

Abstract: BJA's Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) division will use the PSOEA Application information to confirm the eligibility of applicants to receive PSOEA benefits. Eligibility is dependent on several factors, including the applicant having received or being eligible to receive a portion of the PSOB Death Benefit, or having a family member who received the PSOB Disability Benefit. Also considered are the applicant's age and the schools being attended. In addition, information to help BJA identify an individual is collected, such as Social Security number and contact numbers and e-mail addresses. The changes to the application form have been made in an effort to streamline the application process and eliminate requests for information that is either irrelevant or already being collected by other means.

Others: None.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: It is estimated that 275 respondents will complete the claim process in approximately 4 hours. 275 “Claim for Death Benefit” forms. This form is completed and submitted by the decedent's employing agency. It is estimated that it takes the employer 4 hours to complete the form and assemble supporting documentation.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the Collection is 1,100 hours. Total Annual Reporting Burden: 275 × 240 minutes per application = 66,000 minutes / by 60 minutes per hour = 1,100 hours.

If additional information is required, please contact, Lynn Bryant, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, 601 D Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: February 26, 2007.

Lynn Bryant,

Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.