Proposed Collection; Comment Request

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 47 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 12192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6039]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506 (c)(2)(A) 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for 
public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad 
Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data 
collections.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information 
collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection 
of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.

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 annuities by reasons 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 annuitants continue 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 currently used by the 
RRB to develop information for CDR determinations, including 
determinations prompted by a report of work, return to railroad 
service, allegations of medical improvement, or routine disability 
call-up. The RRB proposes to add a question regarding impairment 
related work expenses to the self-employment section of Form G-254. 
Editorial changes to the certification statement and other minor 
cosmetic changes are also proposed. In addition, the RRB proposes the 
addition of a new form to the information collection. Proposed Form G-
254a, Continuing Disability Update Report, will be used to help 
identify disability annuitants whose work activity and/or recent 
medical history warrants a more extensive review and thus completion of 
Form G-254. One response is requested of each respondent to Form G-254 
and G-254a. Completion is required to retain a benefit.

Estimate of Annual Respondent Burden

    The estimated annual respondent burden is as follows:

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                                                                    Annual
                          Form #(s)                               responses        Time (Min)      Burden (hrs)
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G-254........................................................           1,500             5-35              623
G-254a.......................................................           2,000                5              167
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: To request more information or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, and/
or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at (312) 
751-3363. Comments regarding the information collection should be 
addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 N. Rush 
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092. Written comments should be 
received within 60 days of this notice.
Chuck Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-6039 Filed 3-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-M