E6-7925. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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 Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Overpayment Recovery Questionnaire (OWCP-20). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before July 24, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone [phone], fax [phone], e-mail [e-mail]. Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as amended, 30 U.S.C. 923(b) and 20 CFR 725.544 (c), the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 7385j-2 and 20 CFR 30.510 through 30.520, and the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, 5 U.S.C. 8129(b) and 20 CFR 10.430-10.441, provide for the recovery or waiver of overpayments of benefits to beneficiaries. The OWCP-20 is used by OWCP examiners to ascertain the financial condition of the beneficiary who has been overpaid to determine the present and potential income and assets available for collection proceedings. The questionnaire also provides a means for the beneficiary to explain why he/she is not at fault for the overpayment. If this information were not collected, Black Lung, EEOICPA and FECA would have little basis to decide on collection proceedings. This information collection is currently approved for use through November 30, 2006.

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

The Department of Labor seeks approval for the extension of this information collection in order to carry out its responsibility under the law to resolve overpayments under the Acts.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Title: Overpayment Recovery Questionnaire.

OMB Number: 1215-0144.

Agency Number: OWCP-20.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Total Respondents: 4,020.

Total Responses: 4,020.

Time per Response: 45-75 minutes, average 1 hour.

Frequency: On occasion.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,020.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $1,688.

Comments submitted in response to this notice 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.

Dated: May 19, 2006.

Ruben Wiley,

Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.