2010-11943. Comment Request for Information Collection: “Confidentiality & Disclosure of State Unemployment Compensation Information Final Rule and State Income and Eligibility Verification Provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984; OMB ...

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 collections 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. Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the collection of data about the regulatory requirements of the Confidentiality and Disclosure of State Unemployment Compensation Information final rule and State Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 (current expiration date is August 31, 2010).

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.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addressee's section below on or before July 19, 2010.

ADDRESSEE:

Submit written comments to the Employment and Training Administration, Office of Unemployment Insurance, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room C4518, Washington, DC 20210, Attention: Patricia Mertens. Telephone number: 202-693-3182 (this is not a toll-free number). Fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background: The Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 established an Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) for the exchange of information among state agencies administering specific programs. The programs include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income, Unemployment Compensation and any state program approved under Titles I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act. Under the Act, programs participating must exchange information to the extent that it is useful and productive in verifying eligibility and benefit amounts to assist the child support program and the Secretary of Health and Human Services in verifying eligibility and benefit amounts under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act.

On September 27, 2006, the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor issued a final rule regarding the Confidentiality and Disclosure of State Unemployment Compensation Information. This rule supports and expands upon the requirements of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 and subsequent regulatory changes.

II. Review Focus:

The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

• 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 submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions:

Type of Review: Extension without changes.

Title: Confidentiality & Disclosure of State Unemployment Compensation Information Final Rule and State Income and Eligibility Verification provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984;

OMB Number: 1205-0238.

Affected Public: State governments.

Total Annual Respondents: 53 state agencies.

Annual Frequency: Quarterly.

Total Estimated Annual Responses: 1,437,897.

Average Estimated Response Time: 1 minute.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 23,964 hours.

Total Annual Burden Cost for Respondents: $0.

Comments submitted in response to this comment request 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.

Signed at Washington, DC this 15th day of May 2010.

Jane Oates,

Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration.