Proposed Information Collection (Dependents' Application for VA Educational Benefits) Activity; Comment Request

Federal Register, Volume 77 Issue 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2012)

Federal Register Volume 77, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2012)

Notices

Page 3844

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2012-1556

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

OMB Control No. 2900-0098

Proposed Information Collection (Dependents' Application for VA Educational Benefits) Activity; Comment Request

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 extension of currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to determine a veteran's spouse, surviving spouse, or child eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance and Fry Scholarship benefits.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before March 26, 2012.

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 nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0098'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 461-9769 or fax (202) 275-5947.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), 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: Dependents' Application for VA Educational Benefits (Under Provisions of Chapters 33 and 35, of title 38, U.S.C.), VA Form 22-

5490.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0098.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 22-5940 is completed by spouses, surviving spouses and children of veterans or servicemembers to apply for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and Post-9/11 GI Bill Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) benefits. VA will use the information collected to determine whether a claimant qualifies for DEA or Fry Scholarship benefits and if the program of education the applicant wishes to pursue is approved for assistance.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 22,566.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 45 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,088.

Dated: January 20, 2012.

By direction of the Secretary.

Denise McLamb,

Program Analyst, Enterprise Records Service.

FR Doc. 2012-1556 Filed 1-24-12; 8:45 am

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