02-8983. 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 et seq.), 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; it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before May 15, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Denise McLamb, Information Management Service (045A4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, [phone], FAX [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0047.”

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. 2900-0047” in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Financial Statement, VA Form 26-6807.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0047.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 26-6807 is used to determine an applicant's or obligor's creditworthiness. The major use of the form occurs in release of liability and substitution of entitlement cases. VA may release original veteran obligors from personal liability arising from the original guaranty of their home loans, or the making of a direct loan, provided purchaser/assumers meet the necessary requirements, among which is qualifying from a credit standpoint.

The form also can be used to determine a borrower's financial condition in connection with efforts to reinstate a seriously defaulted guaranteed, insured, or portfolio loan. It is also used to determine the eligibility of homeowners for aid under the Homeowners Assistance Program, which provides assistance by reducing losses incident to the disposal of homes when military installations at which the homeowners were employed or serving are ordered closed in whole or in part.

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 January 18, 2002, at pages 2731-2732.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 30,000 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 45 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Total Respondents: 40,000.

Dated: March 28, 2002.

By direction of the Secretary.

Mary Granito,

Management Analyst, Information Management Service.