[Federal Register: May 18, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 96)]
[Notices]
[Page 28918]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18my06-117]
[[Page 28918]]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
[OMB Control No. 2900-0017]
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 this notice. This notice solicits comments on the
information needed to ensure that fiduciary's are properly
administering VA beneficiaries' compensation and pension payments.
DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection
of information should be received on or before July 17, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to
Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M35),
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC
20420 or e-mail: nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please refer to ``OMB Control
No. 2900-0017'' 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. 3501-3521), 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:
a. Annual-Final Report and Account, VA Form 21-4706.
b. Federal Fiduciary's Account, VA Form 21-4706b.
c. Court Appointed Fiduciary's Account, VA Form 21-4706c.
d. Account Book, VA Form 21-4718.
e. Certificate of Balance on Deposit and Authorization to Disclose
Financial Records (Pursuant to Title 38, U.S.C., Chapter 55 and Title
12, U.S.C., Chapter 35), VA Form 27-4718a.
OMB Control Number: 2900-0017.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Abstract: VA maintain supervision of the distribution and use of VA
benefits paid to fiduciaries on behalf of VA claimants who are
incompetent, a minor, or under legal disability. The forms are used to
verify beneficiaries' deposit remaining at a financial institution
against a fiduciary's accounting. The following forms will be used to
ensure claimants' benefits payments are administered properly.
a. VA Forms 21-4706, 4706b and 4706c are used by estate to
determine proper usage of benefits paid to fiduciaries. The 21-4706 and
21-4706b are both necessary to conform to requirement of various state
courts.
b. VA Form 21-4718 is provided to VA fiduciaries to submit
accountings to either State courts or the VA. It is not a reporting
form per se, but a vehicle to assist the fiduciary in accurately
maintaining records of monies received and spent.
c. VA Form 21-4718a--Fiduciaries are required to obtain
certifications that the balances remaining on deposit in financial
institutions as shown on accountings are correct. Certifying official
at a financial institution completing the form must affix the
institution's official seal or stamp. The data collected is used to
appoint an appropriate fiduciary for a VA beneficiary and to prevent
fiduciaries from supplying false certification, embezzling funds, and
possibly prevent and/or identify fraud, waste and abuse of government
funds paid to fiduciaries on behalf of VA beneficiaries.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Estimated Annual Burden: 29,566.
a. Annual-Final Report and Account, VA Form 21-4706--1,100.
b. Federal Fiduciary's Account, VA Form 21-4706b--6,300.
c. Court Appointed Fiduciary's Account, VA Form 21-4706c--2,000.
d. Account Book, VA Form 21-4718--20,000.
e. Certificate of Balance on Deposit and Authorization to Disclose
Financial Records, VA Form 27-4718a--165.
Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent:
a. Annual-Final Report and Account, VA Form 21-4706--30 minutes.
b. Federal Fiduciary's Accounts, VA Form 21-4706b--27 minutes.
c. Court Appointed Fiduciary's Account, VA Form 21-4706c--30
minutes.
d. Account Book, VA Form 21-4718--2\1/2\ hours.
e. Certificate of Balance on Deposit and Authorization to Disclose
Financial Records, VA Form 27-4718a--3 minutes.
Frequency of Response: Annually.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 31,512.
a. Annual-Final Report and Account, VA Form 21-4706--2,200.
b. Federal Fiduciary's Accounts, VA Form 21-4706b--14,000.
c. Court Appointed Fiduciary's Account, VA Form 21-4706c--4,000.
d. Account Book, VA Form 21-4718--8,000.
e. Certificate of Balance on Deposit and Authorization to Disclose
Financial Records, VA Form 27-4718a--3,312.
Dated: May 4, 2006.
By direction of the Secretary.
Denise McLamb,
Program Analyst, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. E6-7541 Filed 5-17-06; 8:45 am]
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