2015-14096. Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments

Summary: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens.

The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information to determine (1) the practical utility of the collection; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to the RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if the RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of the publication date.

Under section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act, an annuity is not payable or is reduced for any month in which the annuitant works for a railroad or earns more than prescribed dollar amounts from either non-railroad employment or self-employment. Certain types of work may indicate an annuitant's recovery from disability. The provisions relating to the reduction or non-payment of an annuity by reason of work, and an annuitant's recovery from disability for work, are prescribed in 20 CFR 220.17-220.20. The RRB conducts continuing disability reviews (CDR) to determine whether an annuitant continues to meet the disability requirements of the law. Provisions relating to when and how often the RRB conducts CDR's are prescribed in 20 CFR 220.186.

Form G-254, Continuing Disability Report, is used by the RRB to develop information for a CDR determination, including a determination prompted by a report of work, return to railroad service, allegation of medical improvement, or a routine disability review call-up. Form G-254a, Continuing Disability Update Report, is used to help identify a disability annuitant whose work activity and/or recent medical history warrants completion of Form G-254 for a more extensive review. Completion is required to retain a benefit. One response is requested of each respondent to Forms G-254 and G-254a.

Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (80 FR 13921 on March 17, 2015) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

Title: Continuing Disability Report.

OMB Control Number: 3220-0187.

Forms submitted: G-254 and G-254a.

Type of request: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Affected public: Individuals or Households.

Abstract: Under the Railroad Retirement Act, a disability annuity can be reduced or not paid, depending on the amount of earnings and type of work performed. The collection obtains information about a disabled annuitant's employment and earnings.

Changes proposed: The RRB proposes the following changes to Form G-254:

• Revise current Item 12a to include the spouse as a source of employment.
• Revise current Items 15k, 17a, and 17b to show the impact the disability has had on their business and decision making abilities.
• Renumber current Item 31 to Item 31a and create New Items 31b and c to identify the annuitant who requires an assistive device and to identify the assistive device, such as a cane, oxygen, etc.
• Other minor editorial changes.

The RRB also proposes the following change to Form G-254A:

• Add a request for the social security number of the applicant who is not the employee to resolve any ambiguous issues.

The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

Form No.	Annual responses	Time (minutes)	Burden (hours)
G-254	1,500	5-35	623
G-254a	1,500	5	125
Total	3,000		748

Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and supporting documents can be obtained from Dana Hickman at [phone] or [e-mail].

Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Charles Mierzwa, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60611-2092 or [e-mail] and to the OMB Desk Officer for the RRB, Fax: [phone], Email address: [e-mail].

Charles Mierzwa,

Chief of Information Resources Management.