Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activity: Request for Contact Information
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Veterans Benefits Administration wants to make sure they have the right address for people, like veterans and their helpers, by asking people to fill out a form. They want to hear what people think about this, and everybody can share their thoughts until April 26, 2021.
Summary AI
The Veterans Benefits Administration from the Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking public comments on the proposed collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This is a planned reinstatement of a previously approved collection using Form Letter 21-30 to gather necessary contact information. The form is used when other methods are not available, often for locating individuals such as fiduciaries and beneficiaries required for field examinations. Comments are open until April 26, 2021, and the public is encouraged to provide input on the necessity, accuracy, and impact of this information collection.
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 document in question originates from the Veterans Benefits Administration, a division of the Department of Veterans Affairs. It serves as a public notice for comments regarding a proposed collection of information—specifically, contact details—under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This initiative intends to reinstate a previously approved data collection effort, intended to locate individuals such as fiduciaries and beneficiaries necessary for field examinations when other methods fail. The collection uses a specific form, known as Form Letter 21-30, and comments on this proposal are welcomed until April 26, 2021.
Key Issues and Concerns
Though the request for public participation is a standard procedure under the Paperwork Reduction Act, the document carries several noteworthy issues. Firstly, the language used is filled with bureaucratic jargon, creating a barrier that may deter effective public engagement. Terms such as "Federal Docket Management System" and "OMB Control Number" might be complex for readers without prior experience in governmental procedures, potentially limiting input. Additionally, the document does not clearly define what constitutes a "necessary" scenario to collect these contact details, which could result in ambiguous interpretations or inconsistent applications.
Privacy is another concern that the document handles inadequately. Although it involves collecting potentially sensitive personal information, there is no explicit information regarding safeguarding this data or addressing confidentiality issues. This lack of clarity could be a point of contention or concern for members of the public whose information might be collected.
Impact on the Public
For the public at large, the most significant implication of this document is the opportunity to engage with and influence government administrative processes. By inviting public comments, the Veterans Benefits Administration aims to ensure that its data collection efforts are necessary, accurate, and minimally intrusive. Nevertheless, the complex and bureaucratic language, coupled with potential privacy concerns, may dissuade widespread participation and engagement, thus hindering effectiveness.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The parties most directly impacted by this proposed collection are individuals who may fall under the Veterans Benefits Administration’s purview, such as fiduciaries, beneficiaries, claimants, and witnesses. For these individuals, the implications of not having their contact information readily available could range from inconvenient to deeply troubling, especially if it delays or complicates benefit proceedings. Furthermore, any lack of clarity regarding the collection's necessity or protections for their personal information might raise legitimate concerns about privacy and transparency.
On a positive note, if managed well, reinstating this contact information collection could streamline the agency’s functions, ensuring that necessary field examinations and other related activities are carried out efficiently and effectively, thus maintaining the integrity of veterans’ programs. Therefore, while the document's procedural would require careful scrutiny and improvement, the successful execution of this data collection process could ultimately enhance service delivery for veterans and related parties.
Issues
• The document involves a request for public comment under the Paperwork Reduction Act, not direct spending, so there's no indication of wasteful spending or favoritism.
• The language used is relatively complex due to legal and procedural jargon, which may not be easily understood by a lay audience.
• There is a need to refer to the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) and OMB control number, which might not be familiar terms to all public commenters, potentially limiting engagement.
• The document mentions obtaining contact information when necessary for field examinations; the criteria for 'necessary' are not explicitly defined, leading to potential ambiguity.
• The document does not specify how it will handle privacy or confidentiality concerns for the collected contact information, which could be of public concern.