Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activity: Certification of School Attendance or Termination
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The people who help veterans want to make sure that young people going to school still get their benefits. They are asking everyone to share their thoughts on a new way to check if these students are still in school.
Summary AI
The Veterans Benefits Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is inviting public comments on the proposed collection of information related to school attendance certification. This collection involves using VA Forms 21-8960 and 21-8960-1 to gather necessary information for determining benefit eligibility for schoolchildren aged 18 to 23. The public has until April 26, 2021, to submit comments. This information is essential for ensuring timely verification of benefits, and the estimated annual burden for this data collection is 1,543 hours, with roughly 9,259 respondents taking about 10 minutes each to complete the form.
Abstract
Veterans Benefits Administration, 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 reinstatement of a previously approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) from the Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking public comments on a proposed collection of information concerning the certification of school attendance or termination for benefits eligibility. This effort, detailed under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, involves the use of specific forms—VA Forms 21-8960 and 21-8960-1—that help determine whether schoolchildren aged between 18 and 23 continue to be eligible for certain VA benefits. Members of the public are encouraged to submit their comments by April 26, 2021.
General Summary
This document primarily aims to collect necessary data from individuals that ensure ongoing benefit eligibility for certain young beneficiaries of VA programs. The process helps to verify that these individuals meet the criteria needed to continue receiving payments, minimizing any issues related to overpayments due to unreported changes in schooling status.
Significant Issues or Concerns
One point of concern is that the document does not clarify the costs associated with this data collection, which could lead to queries about potential wasteful spending. Additionally, while the document invites public comments, it does not elaborate on how these comments will be taken into account in the final decision-making process. This absence could affect public transparency and trust.
The language used throughout the document, with references to regulatory codes and specific sections of federal law, may be too technical for some of the intended audience. This complexity could limit engagement from the general public who might struggle to understand the implications thoroughly.
Moreover, the document mentions "increased overpayments" without context or explanation, leaving room for assumptions or concerns regarding the extent and impact of such overpayments. A more detailed explanation could reassure the public and stakeholders about the measures being undertaken to address this issue.
Impact on the Public
The call for public commentary is an opportunity for individuals to voice their opinions and potentially influence the shape of the information collection process. However, without clear guidelines on how comments will alter or guide any decisions, the public might feel their input does not adequately impact the proceedings.
The requirement for individuals to participate in this data collection places a minimal time burden, estimated at about ten minutes per respondent. This manageable time investment might encourage higher engagement from affected stakeholders, ensuring that all relevant information is collected efficiently.
Positive and Negative Impacts on Specific Stakeholders
Positively, this process could benefit beneficiaries by ensuring that benefit allocations are accurate and timely. By collecting up-to-date information, the VA can prevent overpayments and ensure that all eligible parties receive what they are rightly entitled to.
On the negative side, individuals who may not fully understand the importance of these forms or the necessity for accuracy may find themselves facing benefit disruptions if changes in their schooling status are not reported. Without clear communication on the importance of this information collection, these stakeholders might inadvertently contribute to overpayment situations, further complicating their benefits situation.
In conclusion, while the effort to collect timely and relevant information through these VA forms serves a critical role in maintaining oversight over benefits distribution, the process could benefit from enhanced clarity and transparency to ensure meaningful public engagement and trust.
Issues
• The document does not provide specific information about the cost associated with the collection of information, making it difficult to evaluate potential wasteful spending.
• The summary and supplementary information sections do not specify how public comments will be incorporated into the final decision-making process, which may affect transparency and public trust.
• The language used in the document, particularly the mention of regulatory codes and PRA sections, may be too technical for some members of the public to understand clearly, potentially limiting meaningful public engagement.
• The document does not specify the actions that will be taken following the collection of public comments, leading to ambiguity about the effectiveness of the public comment process.
• The mention of 'increased overpayments' is not elaborated upon, potentially leading to concerns or assumptions about the extent and impact of overpayments without providing detailed data.