2011-16504. Proposed Information Collection (Application by Insured Terminally Ill Person for Accelerated Benefit; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration.

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 extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to this notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to process accelerated death benefit payment.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before August 30, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at http://www.Regulations.gov;​; or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M35), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0618” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), 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: Application by Insured Terminally Ill Person for Accelerated Benefit (38 CFR 9.14(e).

OMB Control Number: 2900-0618.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: An insured person who is terminally ill may request a portion of the face value of his or her Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) prior to death. If the insured would like to receive a portion of the SGLI or VGLI he or she must submit a Servicemembers' and Veterans' Group Life Insurance Accelerated Benefits Option application. The application must include a medical prognosis by a physician stating the life expectancy of the insured person and a statement by the insured on the amount of accelerated benefit he or she choose to receive. The application is obtainable by writing to the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance ABO Claim Processing, 290 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039, or calling 1-800-419-1473 or downloading the application via the Internet at http://www.insurance.va.gov.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 40 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 12 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On Occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.

Dated: June 27, 2011.

By direction of the Secretary.

Denise McLamb,

Program Analyst, Records Management Service.