2023-14208. Agency Information Collection Activity: 21P-0969 Income and Asset Statement in Support of Claim for Pension or Parents' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, 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 revision 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 September 5, 2023.

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. 2900–0829” 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), 810 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20420, (202) 266–4688 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900–0829” 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: U.S. Code: 38 U.S.C. 1503; U.S. Code: 38 U.S.C. 1541; U.S. Code: 38 U.S.C. 1543; U.S. Code: 38 U.S.C. 1315.

Title: 21P–0969 Income and Asset Statement in Support of Claim for Pension or Parents' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

OMB Control Number: 2900–0829.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through its Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) administers an integrated program of benefits and services, established by law, for Veterans, service personnel, and their dependents and/or beneficiaries. Title 38 U.S.C. 5101(a), 38 CFR 1502, 38 CFR 1503 provides that a specific claim in the form provided by the Secretary must be filed in order for benefits to be paid to any individual under the laws administered by the Secretary. VA Form 21P–0969, Income and Asset Statement in Support of Claim for Pension or Parents' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), is the prescribed form for Veterans Pension applications.

The following updates were made:

• Reorganized the layout to group instructions first, then questions.
• Income and asset types reorganized for easier completion by claimants and faster processing.
• Income and Asset information has been expanded.
• Updated instructions.
• New standardization data points; to include optical character recognition boxes. This is a non-substantive change.
• Date range added to better aid in processing and allows for claimants to report historical information.
• Specific options provided for specific questions to reduce ambiguity.
• Questions regarding trusts and annuities expanded to reduce development.
• Signature blocks added to allow for standalone submissions.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 22,917 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 25 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time, or as needed.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 55,000.

By direction of the Secretary.

Maribel Aponte,

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