2019-04602. Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Verification of VA Benefits

AGENCY:

Loan Guaranty Service, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Loan Guaranty Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before May 13, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0406” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Danny S. Green, Enterprise Records Service (005R1B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 811 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, [phone] or email [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0406” in any correspondence.

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.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-21.

Title: Verification of VA Benefits, 26-8937.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0406.

Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 26-8937 is designed to assist lenders and VA in the completion of debt checks in a uniform manner. The form restricts information requested to only that needed for the debt check and also eliminates unlimited versions of lender-designed forms.

Lenders ensure the completion of the upper portion of VA Form 26-8937, including the veteran's authorization for release of the information, and forward it to the appropriate VA Officer. VA personnel perform the debt check, complete the balance of the form, and return it to the lender, who considers any repayment terms in evaluating the veteran's creditworthiness. Following the closing of any loan, the lender submits the form with the loan report and related documents for past closing review. The form is reviewed by a loan examiner to ensure that debt check requirements have been observed in each case.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 10,000 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One-time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 120,000.

By direction of the Secretary.

Danny S. Green,

VA Interim Clearance Officer, Office of Quality, Performance, Privacy and Risk (OQPR), Department of Veterans Affairs.