Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Request for Information To Make Direct Payment to Child Reaching Majority
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Veterans Benefits Office wants to find out if kids who lost a parent and get money from the government are still supposed to get this money when they grow up. They are asking people for their thoughts on how they collect this information, and OMB is checking this too.
Summary AI
The Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs is proposing to collect information to determine if a schoolchild is still eligible for VA death benefits and to facilitate direct payments once they reach adulthood. They are seeking public comments on this information collection effort as part of their compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. Comments can be submitted through the provided website, and further inquiries can be directed to Maribel Aponte at the VA. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is reviewing this information collection, which is over a 30-day comment period. This data collection will affect individuals or households, with an estimated annual burden of 3 hours for about 20 respondents.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question, issued by the Veterans Benefits Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, concerns the process of collecting information to determine if a child who was receiving VA death benefits is still eligible and should continue to receive those benefits directly once they reach adulthood. This notification is part of the agency's obligations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ensuring that such collections are necessary and not overly burdensome on the public.
General Overview
This notice indicates that the form used for this purpose, known as Form Letter 21-863, has not been altered and that its usage continues to be necessary. The agency invites public comments over a 30-day period, which are to be submitted through an online portal. The aim is to manage the paperwork processes efficiently and assess if the existing procedures are adequate or require changes.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues emerge from the details provided. Firstly, the document does not clearly communicate what specific information is being collected, which could lead to confusion for those required to complete the form. Understanding what data must be provided is crucial for accurate compliance.
Secondly, the estimated burden time of three hours annually, given a tight estimate of 20 respondents, seems notably low, which might imply that the form is not time-consuming or perhaps that the estimate underrepresents the true demand on the respondents’ time.
Furthermore, the notice mentions that the form has not undergone any recent revisions. This lack of updates may suggest overlooked opportunities for improvement in the form's structure or questions, which might offer a more straightforward and user-friendly experience for respondents.
Public Impact
For the general public, particularly those individuals or households directly affected, this notice holds limited immediate interest unless they are within the specific group impacted by this information collection. However, ensuring compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act means that these collections are justified, necessary, and not overly burdensome, ultimately serving the wider public interest by ensuring governmental efficiency.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For those specifically affected, such as beneficiaries reaching adulthood, this document outlines their need to engage with this process to ensure continued direct payments. While this demographic is small, they must navigate the provided systems to secure their benefits, which can be a sensitive and vital process for them.
On a positive note, the agency’s adherence to formal review processes indicates a systematic approach to maintaining relevant and efficient procedures. However, the document’s formal language and bureaucratic references may hinder effective participation without clear guidance or support, possibly discouraging some individuals from engaging with the process and submitting comments.
In conclusion, while this notice fulfills regulatory compliance requirements, increased clarity and support could enhance engagement and ensure that affected individuals can provide meaningful input during the comment period.
Issues
• The document does not specify the exact nature of the information being collected from the respondents, which may lead to confusion on what is exactly required from the individuals or households.
• The estimated annual burden of 3 hours for the entire process seems very low, suggesting that either the process is not resource-intensive or the estimate might be underestimated.
• The document states no changes were made to the form or the burden. This lack of review or update might indicate potential oversight or missed opportunity for improvement.
• Language such as 'Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on this collection' might be unclear to individuals unfamiliar with bureaucratic procedures.
• The language and presentation of the notice are formal and contain jargon that might be difficult for the general public to understand, potentially limiting the ability of affected individuals to participate effectively in the comment process.