02-9711. Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments for information needed from claimant's affirming his or her enrollment agreement for a correspondence course.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before June 21, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20S52), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0576” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nancy J. Kessinger at [phone] or FAX [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C., 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VBA invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: Certificate of Affirmation of Enrollment Agreement—Correspondence Course (Under Chapters 20, 32, & 35, Title 38 U.S.C., Section 903 of PL 96-342, or Chapter 1606, Title 10, U.S.C.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0576.

Type of Review: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired.

Abstract: VA is required to pay educational benefits for correspondence training under Chapters 20, 32, & 35, Title 38 U.S.C., Section 903 of Public Law 96-342, or Chapter 1606, Title 10, U.S.C. When a claimant enrolls in a correspondence training course, he or she must sign VA Form 22-1990c and submit the form to the correspondence school to affirm the enrollment agreement contract. The correspondence school's certifying official attaches an enrollment certification to VA Form 22-1999c and submits both forms to VA for processing. Without this information, VA could not determine if the claimant has been informed of the 10-day reflection period required by law and whether or not to pay education benefits for correspondence training.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 235 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 3 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,700.

Dated: April 11, 2002.

By direction of the Secretary.

Barbara H. Epps,

Management Analyst, Information Management Service.