Overview
Title
Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Railroad Retirement Board wants to know if kids can get special money help because their parent works for the railroad. They are asking people to tell them if the forms they use are easy to understand and if there’s a better way to ask these questions.
Summary AI
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is seeking public comments on a new Information Collection Request (ICR) submitted to the Office of Management and Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The ICR involves collecting information to determine a child's eligibility for annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act, based on dependency on a railway employee. Changes have been proposed to improve Form G-139, which is used to gather financial details necessary to assess this dependency. Comments can be submitted online or via email to the listed contact, Brian Foster, within 30 days of the notice's publication.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens. The RRB invites comments on the proposed collections of information to determine (1) the practical utility of the collections; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collections; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to the RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if the RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of the publication date. Title and purpose of information collection: Statement Regarding Contributions and Support of Children; OMB 3220-0195. Section 2(d)(4) of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) (45 U.S.C. 231a), provides, in part, that a child is deemed dependent if the conditions set forth in Section 202(d)(3), (4) and (9) of the Social Security Act are met. Section 202(d)(4) of the Social Security Act, as amended by Public Law 104-121, requires as a condition of dependency, that a child receives one-half of his or her support from the stepparent. This dependency impacts upon the entitlement of a spouse or survivor of an employee whose entitlement is based upon having a stepchild of the employee in care, or on an individual seeking a child's annuity as a stepchild of an employee. Therefore, depending on the employee for at least one-half support is a condition affecting eligibility for increasing an employee or spouse annuity under the social security overall minimum provisions on the basis of the presence of a dependent child, the employee's natural child in limited situations, adopted children, stepchildren, grandchildren, step- grandchildren and equitably adopted children. The regulations outlining child support and dependency requirements are prescribed in 20 CFR 222.50-57. In order to correctly determine if an applicant is entitled to a child's annuity based on actual dependency, the RRB uses Form G-139, Statement Regarding Contributions and Support of Children, to obtain financial information needed to make a comparison between the amount of support received from the railroad employee and the amount received from other sources. Completion is required to obtain a benefit. One response is required of each respondent. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (89 FR 107181 on December 31, 2024) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.
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AnalysisAI
In this notice from the Federal Register, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) seeks to collect public input on a proposed Information Collection Request (ICR). This request involves gathering data to assess whether a child is eligible for annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act, dependent on the financial support from a railroad employee. The Office of Management and Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs will review these collection efforts to ensure efficiency and appropriateness. The notice invites comments, offering a window for public engagement and feedback within 30 days following its publication.
General Summary
The document outlines the intent to evaluate and adjust how information regarding child support and dependency is collected for annuity eligibility under the Railroad Retirement Act. Specifically, it focuses on financial dependencies such as those involving natural, adopted, and stepchildren of railroad employees. The aim is to refine Form G-139, which aids in determining the adequacy of financial support provided to said dependents. The key adjustment mentioned involves a minor change to example dates within the form, signaling potential broader revisions focused on clarity or accuracy.
Significant Issues and Concerns
The document uses technical language, referencing specific sections of the Social Security Act and the Railroad Retirement Act. Such legal jargon may limit comprehension for those unfamiliar with these laws, potentially reducing public engagement. Moreover, the document fails to provide a burden estimate from the ICR, which leaves the potential impact on respondents unclear. Despite a stated goal of minimizing respondent burden through automated collection techniques, there is no detailed explanation of these technologies in practice, which could have provided valuable insights to the public.
Another concern is the mention of "minor editorial changes" to Form G-139, which seems vague. Without clearer context or examples beyond updating a date, stakeholders may find it challenging to assess the importance or relevance of these changes.
Public Impact
Broadly, this document might not significantly affect the general public unless they directly deal with the Railroad Retirement Board or have interest in railroad employment benefits. However, it signals ongoing regulatory refinement efforts which might indirectly affect related public services. For those directly involved, particularly railroad employees and their families, the ICR may bring changes to how eligibility for annuities, based on child dependency, is determined.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For railroad employees with dependents, this notice implies that their child's eligibility for additional benefits could be subject to more precise eligibility checks. Such individuals, alongside their families, might be prompted to prepare additional documentation or clarify their children's dependence status, potentially causing administrative burdens. On the other hand, increased clarity might streamline future application processes, resulting in fewer delays or misunderstandings.
Entities like the RRB aim for efficiency, and by modernizing data collection methods using technology, could alleviate some procedural burdens. However, the lack of clarity on these measures in the document means stakeholders are left without understanding the upcoming changes to commonly encountered processes.
Feedback mechanisms such as this comment period are crucial; despite potential readability challenges, they empower stakeholders to shape governmental processes affecting their lives. Interested parties should consider voicing their concerns or support to influence these ongoing changes proactively.
Issues
• The document uses technical and legal jargon, which may be difficult for the general public to understand, such as references to specific sections of the Social Security Act and use of terms like 'dependency impacts,' which could benefit from clearer explanations.
• The burden estimate for the Information Collection Request (ICR) is not provided in the document text, making it unclear what the expected impact is on respondents.
• There is no specific discussion of potential wasteful spending or measures to ensure cost-effectiveness in the process of collecting this information.
• The document mentions proposed changes but does not clarify what the 'minor editorial changes' to Form G-139 entail, aside from changing an example date, leaving room for ambiguity.
• The document does not provide any specifics on how automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology could be used to minimize the burden on respondents, despite mentioning it as a goal.