[Federal Register: May 4, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 84)]
[Notices]
[Page 20503]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04my09-89]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Secretary
Submission for OMB Emergency Review: Comment Request
April 29, 2009.
The Department of Labor has submitted the following information
collection request (ICR), utilizing emergency review procedures, to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44
U.S.C. Chapter 35) and 5 CFR 1320.13. OMB approval has been requested
by May 15, 2009. A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting
documentation; including among other things a description of the likely
respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden
may be obtained from the RegInfo.gov Web site at http://
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain or by contacting Darrin King on 202-
693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number)/e-mail: DOL_PRA_
PUBLIC@dol.gov. Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk
Officer for the Department of Labor--EBSA, Office of Management and
Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: 202-395-7316/Fax:
202-395-6974 (these are not toll-free numbers), E-mail: OIRA_
submission@omb.eop.gov. Comments and questions about the ICR listed
below should be received 5 days prior to the requested OMB approval
date.
The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submissions of responses.
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration.
Title of Collection: Application to the Department of Labor for
Expedited Review of Denial of COBRA Premium Assistance.
OMB Control Number: New.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 95,000.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 95,000.
Total Net Estimated Annual Costs Burden (other than hourly costs):
$52,000.
Description: Section 3001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides ``Assistance Eligible Individuals'' with
the right to pay reduced COBRA premiums for up to 9 months. To be
considered an ``Assistance Eligible Individual'' and receive premium
reduction an individual must: (1) Be eligible for, and elect, COBRA
continuation coverage, (2) have experienced an involuntary termination
of employment which led to the COBRA election opportunity, (3) have
experienced the involuntary termination during the period beginning
September 1, 2008, and ending December 31, 2009. Individuals who
experienced an involuntary termination of employment at any time
between September 1, 2008, and February 16, 2009, and were offered, but
did not elect, COBRA coverage or who elected COBRA and subsequently
dropped it may have the right to an additional 60-day election period.
If individuals request treatment as an assistance eligible
individual and are denied such treatment because of their ineligibility
for COBRA continuation coverage, ARRA section 3001(a)(5) requires the
Secretary of Labor to provide for expedited review of the denial upon
application to the Secretary in the form and manner the Secretary
provides. The Secretary of Labor is required to act in consultation
with the Secretary of the Treasury and must make a determination within
15 business days after receipt of an individual's application for
review.
The ``Application to the Department of Labor for Expedited Review
of Denial of COBRA Premium Reduction'' (the ``Application'') is the
form that will be used by individuals to file their expedited review
appeals. Such individuals must complete all information requested on
the Application in order to file their review requests with the
Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). An
Application may be denied if sufficient information is not provided.
The ICR relates to the Application.
Why are we requesting Emergency Processing? If the Department were
to comply with standard PRA clearance procedures, it would not be able
to implement its expedited review program on a timely basis as required
by ARRA section 3001(a)(5).
Darrin A. King,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-10142 Filed 5-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-P