2019-07462. Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Marital Status Questionnaire

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit 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 it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before May 16, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through www.Regulations.gov,, or to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attn: VA Desk Officer; 725 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20503 or sent through electronic mail to [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0495” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Danny S. Green at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority: 8 U.S.C. 101(3), 103.

Title: Marital Status Questionnaire, VA Form 21P-0537.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0495.

Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through its Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), administers an integrated program of benefits and services established by law for Veterans, service personnel, and their dependents and/or beneficiaries. VA Form 21P-0537 Marital Status Questionnaire is used to confirm the marital status of a surviving spouse in receipt of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits. If a surviving spouse remarries, he or she is no longer entitled to DIC unless the marriage began after age 57 or has been terminated. Information is requested by this form under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 101(3) and 38 U.S.C. 103.

VA Form 21P-0537 is used by VBA to verify a surviving spouse's current marital status to determine his or her continuing entitlement to DIC benefits. The form letter is automatically generated and mailed to DIC beneficiaries. Agency action depends on the information provided by the beneficiary. If the information provided supports the beneficiary's continued entitlement to benefits, no action is taken. If the information provided by the beneficiary does not support continued entitlement to benefits, VA will act to terminate benefit payments, based on the facts found.

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 at 84 FR 2949 on February 8, 2019, page 2949.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 1,484.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Once.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 17,808.

By direction of the Secretary.

Danny S. Green,

VA Interim Clearance Officer, Office of Quality, Performance, and Risk, Department of Veterans Affairs.