[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46666-46667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22511]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) Handbook; 
Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed revision and extension of the 
Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) Handbook.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section 
of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before November 4, 1996.
    The Department of Labor 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.


[[Page 46667]]


ADDRESSES: Written comments on this notice may be mailed or delivered 
to Charles E. Longus, Jr., Unemployment Insurance Service, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room S-4231, Frances Perkins Building, 200 
Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 219-5340 
ext 16 (this is not a toll-free number), fax number (202) 219-8506.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The UCX law (5 U.S.C. 8521-8523) requires State employment security 
agencies to administer the UCX program in accordance with the same 
terms and conditions of the paying State's unemployment insurance law 
which apply to unemployed claimants who worked in the private sector. 
Each State agency must be able to obtain certain military service 
information from each claimant filing claims for UCX benefits to enable 
them to determine his/her eligibility for benefits. The State agencies 
record or obtain required UCX information on forms developed by the 
Department of Labor, ETA 841, ETA 842 and ETA 843. The use of each of 
these forms is essential to the UCX claims process.
    Information pertaining to the UCX claimant can only be obtained 
from the individuals's military discharge papers, the appropriate 
branch of military service or the Department of Veterans Affairs 
(formerly the Veterans Administration). If the claimant does not have 
this information available, the most feasible and effective way to 
obtain this information is by use of the forms prescribed by the 
Department of Labor for State agency use. Without this information, we 
could not adequately determine the eligibility of ex-servicemembers and 
would not be able to properly administer the program.

II. Current Actions

    This is a request for OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) of an extension to an existing 
collection of information previously approved and assigned OMB control 
No. 1205-0176. A current inventory of 255,000 UCX claims were filed in 
FY 1994 and a proposed inventory of 138,573 UCX claims will be reported 
for FY 1995 reflecting a significant decrease of 116,427 from the 
previous fiscal year resulting in a reduction of -3,009 hours toward 
ETA's Information Collection Budget.
    Fifty-three (53) SESAs fill out these forms. Form ETA 841 is 
completed by SESAs whenever an ex-servicemember files: (1) A ``first 
claim'' (UCX) for unemployment compensation, whereby an assignment of 
Federal military service is recorded; or (2) a request for 
determination of entitlement to UCX benefits, whether or not such 
request results in a ``first claim.'' Form ETA 842 is very rarely used 
under current legislation so our estimate is zero burden. ETA 843 is 
used by SESAs only when it is necessary to obtain additional clarifying 
information from the military pertaining to the UCX claimant or to 
obtain a copy of DD Form 214 that was not issued to the claimant when 
separated from military service. Accordingly, the ETA 843 is used for 
only 5% of the UCX ``first claims.'' This is then sent to any one of 
the four branches of military service (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force), 
the Coast Guard, or the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration 
(they are considered branches of military service for UCX purposes but 
are not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense).
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) 
Handbook.
    OMB Number: 1205-0176.
    Recordkeeping: The Department of Labor (DOL) does not maintain a 
system of records for the UCX program. UCX records are maintained by 
the SESAs acting as agents for the Federal Government in the 
administration of the UCX program. The DOL procedures permit the SESAs, 
upon request, to dispose of UCX records according to State law 
provisions, 3 years after final action (including appeals or court 
action) on the claim, or such records may be transferred in less than 
3-year period if microphotographed in accordance with appropriate 
microphotography standards.
    Affected Public: State governments (State employment security 
agencies).
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: Forms ETA 841, ETA 842 and ETA 843
    Total Respondents: 138,573
    Frequency: As needed
    Total Responses: 138,573
    Average Time per Response: 1.5 min.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3,579 hrs. or chart for multiple 
forms/information collections.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Average          
                                           Total                                    Total     time per    Burden
            Cite/reference              respondents           Frequency           responses   response    (hrs.)
                                                                                               (min.)           
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETA 841...............................     138,573   As needed..................    138,573         1.5    3,464
ETA 842...............................           0   As needed..................          0         0          0
ETA 843...............................       6,929   As needed..................      6,929         1.0      115
                                                                                 -----------            --------
      Totals..........................  ...........  ...........................    145,502  ..........    3,579
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $3,201,036.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 28, 1996.
Mary Ann Wyrsch,
Director, Unemployment Insurance Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22511 Filed 9-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M