2017-07068. Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments

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). 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 the RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if the RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of the publication date.

Title and purpose of information collection: Continuing Disability Report; OMB 3220-0187. Under Section 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act, an annuity is not payable or is reduced for any month in which the annuitant works for a railroad or earns more than prescribed dollar amounts from either non-railroad employment or self-employment. Certain types of work may indicate an annuitant's recovery from disability. The provisions relating to the reduction or non-payment of an annuity by reason of work, and an annuitant's recovery from disability for work, are prescribed in 20 CFR 220.17-220.20. The RRB conducts continuing disability reviews (CDR) to determine whether an annuitant continues to meet the disability requirements of the law. Provisions relating to when and how often the RRB conducts CDR's are prescribed in 20 CFR 220.186.

Form G-254, Continuing Disability Report, is used by the RRB to develop information for a CDR determination, including a determination prompted by a report of work, return to railroad service, allegation of medical improvement, or a routine disability review call-up. Form G-254a, Continuing Disability Update Report, is used to help identify a disability annuitant whose work activity and/or recent medical history warrants completion of Form G-254 for a more extensive review.

Completion is required to retain a benefit. One response is requested of each respondent to Forms G-254 and G-254a.

Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (82 FR 8961 on February 1, 2017) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

Title: Continuing Disability Report.

OMB Control Number: 3220-0187.

Forms Submitted: G-254 and G-254a.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Abstract: Under the Railroad Retirement Act, a disability annuity can be reduced or not paid, depending on the amount of earnings and type of work performed. The collection obtains information about a disabled annuitant's employment and earnings.

Changes proposed: The RRB proposes the following changes:

Significant changes are proposed to Form G-254 in support of the RRB's Disability Program Improvement Project (DPIP) to enhance/improve disability case processing and overall program integrity as recommended by the RRB's Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office. Proposed revisions/additions include:

• Providing, in Item 31a, more descriptive labels (Easy, Difficult, Hard, Not at All, and N.A.) to help identify the applicant's ability to perform an activity.

○ Requesting information on four new activity items (Sitting, Standing, Reading, and Writing), to be consistent with other RRB disability forms.

• New Item 31b, which requests the applicant to provide additional information about their daily activities.
• Requesting, in Item 31d, when a disability annuitant uses an assistive device (wheelchair, cane, etc.).
• Minor, non-burden impacting editorial and formatting changes.

The RRB also proposes the addition of new Form RL-8A, Occupational Disability Certification, which the RRB will use to annually monitor occupational disability annuitants who meet certain criteria. The form will require that the annuitant certify that they are still disabled in order to continue receiving their occupational disability annuities. Form RL-8 will be used to transmit the Form RL-8A. The Paperwork Reduction Act and Privacy Act Notices are on Form RL-8A.

The RRB proposes no changes to Form G-254a.

The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

Form No.	Annual responses	Time (minutes)	Burden (hours)
G-254	1,500	5-35	623
G-254A	1,500	5	125
RL-8A	400	15	100
Total	3,400		848

Additional Information or Comments: Copies of the forms and supporting documents can be obtained from Dana Hickman at [phone] or [e-mail].

Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Brian Foster, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-1275 or [e-mail] and to the OMB Desk Officer for the RRB, Fax: [phone], Email address: [e-mail].

For the Board.

Martha P. Rico,

Secretary to the Board.