Agency Information Collection Activity: Financial Status Report
Debt Management Center (DMC), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agenc...
Debt Management Center, Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
Debt Management Center (DMC), 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 September 28, 2026.
VA PRA information:
Dorothy Glasgow, 202-461-1084,
VAPRA@va.gov.
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, DMC invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of DMC's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of DMC'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:
Financial Status Report, VA Form 5655.
OMB Control Number:
2900-0165.
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRASearch
(Once at this link, you can enter the OMB Control Number to find the historical versions of this Information Collection).
Type of Review:
Revision of a currently approved collection.
Abstract:
The major use of the form is to document and support the eligibility determinations for waivers of collection, for the consideration of compromise offers, determine financial hardship suspensions, and/or for assisting in the development of repayment plans for overpayment debts owed to the VA.
The burden has increased since the previous approval due to the resumption of collections of debts that were suspended during the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. Collection was paused on new debts effective April 2020 at the Debt Management Center (DMC). Collection action resumed beginning May 2022 for suspended debts, and additional debts continue to be created, returning operations to normal.
Additionally, DMC also no longer requires VA Form 5655 to approve repayment plans extending 60 months or fewer. Previously, VA Form 5655 was required to approve repayment plans extending greater than 12 months. Repayment plans on compensation and pension benefit overpayments now also automatically extend for 36 months instead of 12 months when over the minimum monthly payment threshold.
Form usage has fluctuated due to the above-mentioned policy changes and collections restarting.
Affected Public:
Individuals
Estimated Annual Burden:
150,871 hours.
Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:
60 minutes.
Frequency of Response:
On occasion and/or annually.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
150,871.
( printed page 48230)