02-13752. 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 July 3, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY OF THE SUBMISSION 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. 2900-0390.”

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. 2900-0390” in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Application of Surviving Spouse or Child for REPS Benefits (Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors), VA Form 21-8924.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0390.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 21-8924 is used by survivors of deceased veterans to claim Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) benefits. REPS benefits are paid to certain surviving spouses and children of veterans who died in service prior to August 13, 1981, or who died as a result of a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated prior to August 13, 1981. The information on the form is used by VBA to determine if the applicant meets REPS eligibility criteria.

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 March 6, 2002, at page 10256.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 2,500 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 20 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,500.

Dated: May 13, 2002.

By direction of the Secretary.

Genie McCully,

Acting Director, Information Management Service.