[Federal Register: March 17, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 53)]
[Notices]               
[Page 14648-14649]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17mr00-144]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0178]

 
Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
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 a currently approved collection and allow 60 days for public comment 
in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the 
information needed to determine a claimant's continuing eligibility for 
education benefits.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before May 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20S52), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20420. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0178'' in any 
correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 273-7079 
or FAX (202) 275-5947.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C., 3501-3520), 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: Monthly Certification of On-the-Job and Apprenticeship 
Training, VA Form 22-6553d. (NOTE: A reference to VA Form 22-6553d also 
includes VA Form 22-6553d-1 unless otherwise specified. VA Form 22-
6553d-1 contains the same information as VA Form 22-6553d.)
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0178.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The form is used by trainees and employers to report the 
number of hours worked in on-the-job training programs and 
apprenticeships, and to report terminations of training in such 
programs. VA uses the information to determine whether a trainee's 
education benefits are to be continued, changed or terminated, and the 
effective date of such action. VA is authorized to pay education 
benefits to veterans and other eligible persons pursuing approved 
programs not leading to a standard college degree under Title 38, 
U.S.C., Chapters 32 and 35, Title 10, U.S.C., Chapter 1606, and Public 
Law 96-342, Section 903. Benefits are authorized

[[Page 14649]]

monthly based upon the number of hours worked by the trainee and 
verified by the training establishment. Unscheduled terminations result 
in termination of the award of benefits. Reduction of hours worked to 
less than a full-time work schedule results in reduction of benefits. 
The form is completed by the trainee and the training establishment to 
report to VA the number of hours worked and/or to report the date of 
termination.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit, not-for-profit institutions, and State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 15,975 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 10 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Monthly.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,650.
    Number of Responses Annually: 95,850

    Dated: February 16, 2000.

    By direction of the Secretary.
 Donald L. Neilson,
 Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 00-6645 Filed 3-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P