82 FR 7918 - Agency Information Collection Activity: (Annual Certification of Veteran Status and Veteran relatives (VA Form 20-0344))

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 13 (January 23, 2017)

The 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 revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. VA Form 20-0344 is completed by VBA employees, non-VBA employees in VBA space and Veteran Service Organization (VSO) employees who have access to benefit records. These individuals are required to provide personal identifying information for themselves and any veteran relatives, so VA is able to identify and properly protect these benefit records.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 13 (Monday, January 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 7918]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01397]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0654]


Agency Information Collection Activity: (Annual Certification of 
Veteran Status and Veteran relatives (VA Form 20-0344))

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The 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 revision of 
a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment 
in response to the notice.
    VA Form 20-0344 is completed by VBA employees, non-VBA employees in 
VBA space and Veteran Service Organization (VSO) employees who have 
access to benefit records. These individuals are required to provide 
personal identifying information for themselves and any veteran 
relatives, so VA is able to identify and properly protect these benefit 
records.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before March 24, 2017.

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 [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control 
No. 2900-0654'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, 
comments may be viewed online through the FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 632-8924 
or FAX (202) 632-8925.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-21), 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: Annual Certification of Veteran Status and Veteran Relatives 
(VA Form 20-0344).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0654.
    Type of Review: Extension of an approved collection.
    Abstract: VA Form 20-0344 is completed by VBA employees, non-VBA 
employees in VBA space and Veteran Service Organization (VSO) employees 
who have access to benefit records. These individuals are required to 
provide personal identifying information for themselves and any veteran 
relatives, so VA is able to identify and properly protect these benefit 
records.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 14,000 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 10 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,834.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Cynthia Harvey-Pryor,
Department Clearance Officer, Office of Privacy and Records Management, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2017-01397 Filed 1-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P