2021-14037. Agency Information Collection Activity: Student Beneficiary Report-Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Veteran's 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 reinstatement of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before August 30, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0399” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 1717 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, [phone] or email [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0399” in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, 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.

Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5101; 38 CFR 3.812.

Title: Student Beneficiary Report—Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) (VA Form 21P-8938-1).

OMB Control Number: 2900-0399.

Type of Review: Reinstatement with change of a previously approved collection.

Abstract: A claimant's eligibility for needs-based pension programs are determined in part by countable family income and certain deductible expenses. Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) is a benefit payable to certain surviving spouses and dependent children of deceased Veterans who died in service prior to August 13, 1981 or died as a result of a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated prior to August 13, 1981. In these situations, VBA uses VA Form 21P-8938-1 Student Beneficiary Report—Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS), to verify beneficiaries receiving REPS benefits based on school-aged child status, are in fact enrolled full-time in an approved school and are otherwise eligible for continue benefits under REPS. Without this information, determination of eligibility would not be possible.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 300 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 15 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,200.

By direction of the Secretary.

Dorothy Glasgow,

VA PRA Clearance Officer, (Alternate) Office of Enterprise and Integration/Data Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.