2024-17868. Agency Information Collection Activity: Request for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant

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Department of Veterans Affairs

1. [OMB Control No. 2900-0740]

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 extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before October 11, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Comments must be submitted through www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Program-Specific information: Nancy Kessinger, 202-632-8924, [e-mail].

VA PRA information: Maribel Aponte, 202-461-8900, [e-mail].

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.

Title: Request for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0740 https://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRASearch (Once at this link, you can enter the OMB Control Number to find the historical versions of this Information Collection).

Type of Review: Revision of a previously approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 21P-0847, will be used to allow claimants to request a substitution for a claimant who passed away prior to VA processing a claim to completion. This is only allowed when a claimant dies while a claim or appeal for any benefit under a law administered by the VA is pending. The substitute claimant would be eligible to receive accrued benefits due to a deceased claimant under Section 5121(a). The substitute claim must be filed no later than one year after the claimant's death date. By law, VA must have a claimant's or beneficiary's written permission (an “authorization”) to be a substitute claimant. The claimant or beneficiary may revoke the authorization at any time, except if VA has already acted based on the permission.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 1,200 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 15,000.

Authority:44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

Maribel Aponte,

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