2024-19939. Agency Information Collection Activity: COVID-19 Refund Modification

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Department of Veterans Affairs

1. [OMB Control No. 2900-0891]

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

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.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before November 4, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Comments must be submitted through www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Program-Specific information: Nancy J. 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: COVID-19 Refund Modification.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0891.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA is keeping this information collection open for resubmissions regarding the loan modification options available to servicers that do not require VA's prior approval to include the COVID-19 Refund Modification, to assist certain COVID-impacted veterans as they exit a COVID-19 forbearance. Under 38 U.S.C. 3720(a)(2), Congress has provided the Secretary with discretion “[n]otwithstanding the provisions of any other law” to set the terms and conditions to which the Secretary will consent to loan modifications. Additionally, while VA has outlined in regulation at 38 CFR 36.4315(a) the terms of loan modifications that do not require prior VA approval, VA may waive a regulatory requirement if VA finds the interest of the Government are not adversely affected and such waiver would relieve undue prejudice to a debtor, holder, or other person without impairing the vest rights of any person affected. 38 CFR 36.4338(a).

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 1,588.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 90 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,059. ( print page 72714)

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.