E8-21297. Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments  

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    SUMMARY:

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to request an extension of a currently approved collection of information: 3220-0123, Student Beneficiary Monitoring. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens.

    The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information to determine (1) the practical utility of the collection; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of publication date.

    Student Beneficiary Monitoring; OMB 3220-0123

    Under provisions of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), there are two types of benefits whose payment is based upon the status of a child being in full-time elementary or secondary school attendance at age 18-19; a survivor child's annuity benefit under Section 2(d)(2)(iii) and an increase in the employee retirement annuity under the Special Guaranty computation as prescribed in section 3(f)(3).

    The survivor student annuity is usually paid by direct deposit at a financial institution to the student's checking or savings account or a joint bank account with the parent. The requirements for eligibility as a student are prescribed in 20 CFR 216.74, and include students in independent study or home schooling.

    The RRB requires evidence of full-time school attendance in order to determine that a child is entitled to student benefits. The RRB utilizes the following forms to conduct its student monitoring program. Form G-315, Student Questionnaire, obtains certification of a student's full-time school attendance. It also obtains information on a student's marital status, Social Security benefits, and employment which are needed to determine entitlement or continued entitlement to benefits under the RRA. Completion is required to obtain benefits. Form G-315a, Statement of School Official, is used to obtain verification from a school that a student attends school full-time and provides their expected graduation date. Completion is voluntary. However, failure to do so may result in nonpayment of RRB benefits to the student. Form G-315a.1, School Officials Notice of Cessation of Full-Time Attendance, is used by a school to Start Printed Page 53057notify the RRB that a student has ceased full-time school attendance. Completion is voluntary.

    The RRB proposes no changes to the forms. One response is completed by each respondent.

    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (73 FR 22183 on April 24, 2008) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

    Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Student Beneficiary Monitoring.

    OMB Control Number: OMB 3220-0123.

    Form(s) submitted: G-315, G-315a, G-315a.1.

    Type of request: Extension of a currently approved collection of information.

    Affected public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit, Non-profit institutions.

    Abstract: Under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), a student benefit is not payable if the student ceases full-time school attendance, marries, works in the railroad industry, has excessive earnings or attains the upper age limit under the RRA. The report obtains information to be used in determining if benefits should cease or be reduced.

    Changes Proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to the forms in the collection.

    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

    Estimated Completion Time for Form(s): Form G-315 is estimated at 15 minutes per response; Form G-315a is estimated at 3 minutes per response and Form G-315a.1 is estimated at 2 minutes per response.

    Estimated annual number of respondents: 900.

    Total annual responses: 900.

    Total annual reporting hours: 217.

    Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the form and supporting documents can be obtained from Charles Mierzwa, the agency clearance officer at (312-751-3363) or Charles.Mierzwa@rrb.gov.

    Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or Ronald.Hodapp@rrb.gov and to the OMB Desk Officer for the RRB, at the Office of Management and Budget, Room 10230, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

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    Charles Mierzwa,

    Clearance Officer.

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    [FR Doc. E8-21297 Filed 9-11-08; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 7905-01-P

Document Information

Comments Received:
0 Comments
Published:
09/12/2008
Department:
Railroad Retirement Board
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
E8-21297
Pages:
53056-53057 (2 pages)
PDF File:
E8-21297.Pdf