2017-20278. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), DoD.

ACTION:

60-Day information collection notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the DFAS announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES:

Consideration will be given to all comments received by November 21, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by docket number and title, by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Department of Defense, Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer, Directorate for Oversight and Compliance, Regulatory and Advisory Committee Division, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Mailbox #24, Suite 08D09B, Alexandria, VA 22350-1700.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name, docket number and title for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.

Any associated form(s) for this collection may be located within this same electronic docket and downloaded for review/testing. Follow the instructions at http://www.regulations.gov for submitting comments. Please submit comments on any given form identified by docket number, form number, and title.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request more information on this proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the proposal and associated collection instruments, please write to the Defense Finance and Accounting Services-CL, 1240 East 9th Street, Enterprise Solutions and Standards Code JJFJB, Cleveland, Ohio, 44199, ATTN: Stuart Kran, email: [e-mail], or call [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Dependency Statements; Parent (DD Form 137-3), Incapacitated Child Over Age 21 (DD Form 137-5), Full Time Student 21-22 Years of Age (DD 137-6), and Ward of a Court (DD Form 137-7); OMB Control Number 0730-0014.

Needs and Uses: The information collection requirement is necessary to certify dependency or obtain information to determine entitlement to basic allowance for housing (BAH) with dependent rate, travel allowance, or uniformed services identification and privilege card. Information regarding a parent, an incapacitated child over age 21, a student age 21-22, or a ward of a court is provided by the military member. A medical doctor or psychiatrist, college administrator, or a dependent's employer may need to provide information for claims. Pursuant to 37 U.S.C. 401, 403, 406, and 10 U.S.C. 1072 and 1076, the member must provide more than one half of the claimed dependent's monthly expenses. DoDFMR 7000.14-R, Vol 7A, defines dependency and directs that dependency be proven. Dependency claim examiners use the information from these forms to determine the degree of benefits. The requirement to provide the information decreased the possibility of monetary allowances being approved on behalf of ineligible dependents.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Annual Burden Hours: 13,477.5 hours.

Number of Respondents: 14,975.

Responses per Respondent: 1.

Annual Responses: 14,975.

Average Burden per Response: 54 minutes.

Frequency: On occasion.

When military members apply for benefits, they must complete the form which corresponds to the particular dependent situation (a parent, an incapacitated child over age 21, a student age 21-22, or a ward of a court). While members usually complete these forms, they can also be completed by others considered members of the public. Dependency claim examiners use the information from these forms to determine the degree of benefits. Without this collection of information, proof of an entitlement to a benefit would not exist. The requirement to complete these forms helps alleviate the opportunity for fraud, waste, and abuse of dependent benefits.

Dated: September 19, 2017.

Aaron Siegel,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.