Document
Division of Federal Employees' Compensation Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request
The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public a...
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background:
The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is the federal agency responsible for administration of the War Hazards Compensation Act (WHCA), 42 U.S.C. 1701
et seq.
Under section 1704(a) of the WHCA, an insurance carrier or self-insured who has paid workers' compensation benefits to or on account of any person for a war-risk hazard may seek reimbursement for benefits paid (plus expenses) out of the Employment Compensation Fund for the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) at 5 U.S.C. 8147. Form CA-278 is used by insurance carriers and the self-insured to request reimbursement. The information collected is used by OWCP to process requests for reimbursement of WHCA benefit payments and claims expense that are submitted by insurance carriers and self-insureds. The information also is used by OWCP to decide whether it should opt to pay ongoing WHCA benefits directly to the injured worker. This information collection is currently approved for use through March 31, 2019.
II. Review Focus:
The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:
* evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
* evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
* enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and
* minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology,
e.g.,
permitting electronic submissions of responses.
III. Current Actions:
The Department of Labor seeks extension of approval to collect this information in order to carry out its responsibility to reimburse insurance carriers and self-insureds who meet the statutory requirements of the War Hazards Compensation Act (WHCA) for reimbursement.
Type of Review:
Extension.
Agency:
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
Title:
Claim for Reimbursement of Benefit Payments and Claims Expense Under the War Hazards Compensation Act.
OMB Number:
1240-0006.
Agency Number:
CA-278.
Affected Public:
Business or other for-profit.
Total Respondents:
815.
Total Responses:
815.
Estimated Total Burden Hours:
408.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):
$0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance):
$1,182.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.
Anjanette Suggs,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, U.S. Department of Labor.