03-20763. Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

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 the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to carry out a Congressional mandate that VA maintain supervision of the distribution and use of VA benefits paid to a fiduciary on behalf of a beneficiary who is incompetent, a minor, or under legal disability and to verify beneficiaries' deposits remaining at a financial institution against a fiduciary's accounting.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before October 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20S52), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0017” in any correspondence.

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., 3501-3520), 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.

Titles and Form Numbers

a. Court Appointed Fiduciary's Account (Letter Size), VA Form 21-4706.

b. Federal Fiduciary for Amounts, VA Form 21-4706b.

c. Court Appointed Fiduciary's Account, VA Form 21-4706c.

d. Account Book, VA Form 21-4718.

e. Certificate of Balance on Deposit and Authorization to Disclose Financial Records (Pursuant to title 38, U.S.C., Chapter 55 and Title 12, U.S.C., Chapter 35), VA Form 27-4718a.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0017.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract:

a. VA Forms 21-4706, 4706b and 4706c are used by estate to determine proper usage of benefits paid to fiduciaries. The 21-4706 and 21-4706b are both necessary to conform to requirement of various state courts.

b. VA Form 21-4718 is provided to VA fiduciaries to submit accountings to either State courts or the VA. It is not a reporting form per se, but a vehicle to assist the fiduciary in accurately maintaining records of monies received and spent.

c. VA Form 21-4718a—Fiduciaries are required to obtain certifications that the balances remaining on deposit in financial institutions as shown on accountings are correct. The form is completed by a certifying official at a financial institution who must affix the institution's official seal or stamp. Analysts review the information provided on the form when they are auditing accounting to determine the veracity of the information supplied by fiduciaries' accounting. The analysts compare the financial institution's information on the form against the fiduciary's accounting. The purpose is to prevent fiduciaries from supplying false certification, embezzling funds, and to possibly prevent and/or identify fraud, waste and abuse of government funds paid to fiduciaries on behalf of VA beneficiaries.

Affected Public: Individuals and households, businesses or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions, and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Estimated Annual Burden

a. VA Form 21-4706—500 hours.

b. VA Form 21-4706b—4,500 hours.

c. VA Form 21-4706c—1,500 hours.

d. VA Form 21-4718—12,500 hours.

e. VA Form 21-4718a—1,250 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent

a. VA Form 21-4706—30 minutes.

b. VA Form 21-4706b—27 minutes.

c. VA Form 21-4706c—30 minutes.

d. VA Form 21-4718—21/2 hours.

e. VA Form 21-4718a—3 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents

a. VA Form 21-4706—1,000.

b. VA Form 21-4706b—10,000.

c. VA Form 21-4706c—3,000.

d. VA Form 21-4718—5,000.

e. VA Form 21-4718a—25,000.

Dated: July 29, 2003.

By direction of the Secretary.

Jacqueline Parks,

IT Specialist, Records Management Service.