02-19344. ETA 203, Characteristics of the Insured Unemployed; 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 and Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the collection of the ETA 203, Characteristics of the Insured Unemployed. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before September 30, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Thomas Stengle, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Room S-4231, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20210. Phone number: 202-693-2991. Fax: [phone]. (These are not toll free numbers.) E-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The ETA 203, Characteristics of the Insured Unemployed, is a once a month snapshot of the demographic composition of the claimant population. It is based on those who file a claim in the week containing the 19th of the month which reflects unemployment during the week containing the 12th. This corresponds with the BLS total unemployment sample week. This report serves a variety of socio-economic needs because it provides aggregate data reflecting unemployment insurance claimants' sex, race/ethnic group, age, industry, and occupation.

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

This is a request for OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) for continuing an existing collection of information previously approved and assigned OMB Control No. 1205-0009.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration.

Title: Characteristics of the Insured Unemployed.

OMB Number: 1205-0009.

Agency Number: ETA 203.

Affected Public: State Government.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc: ETA 203.

Total Respondents: 53.

Frequency: Monthly.

Total Responses: 636.

Average Time per Response: .33 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 212 hours per year.

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

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.

Comments submitted in response to this comment request 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: July 24, 2002.

Grace A. Kilbane,

Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.