[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 48665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20763]



[[Page 48665]]

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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 the notice. This notice solicits comments on the 
information needed to carry out a Congressional mandate that VA 
maintain supervision of the distribution and use of VA benefits paid to 
a fiduciary on behalf of a beneficiary who is incompetent, a minor, or 
under legal disability and to verify beneficiaries' deposits remaining 
at a financial institution against a fiduciary's accounting.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before October 14, 2003.

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 or e-mail: [email protected]. 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., 3501-3520), 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.
    Titles and Form Numbers
    a. Court Appointed Fiduciary's Account (Letter Size), VA Form 21-
4706.
    b. Federal Fiduciary for Amounts, 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:
    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. The form is completed 
by a certifying official at a financial institution who must affix the 
institution's official seal or stamp. Analysts review the information 
provided on the form when they are auditing accounting to determine the 
veracity of the information supplied by fiduciaries' accounting. The 
analysts compare the financial institution's information on the form 
against the fiduciary's accounting. The purpose is to prevent 
fiduciaries from supplying false certification, embezzling funds, and 
to possibly prevent and/or identify fraud, waste and abuse of 
government funds paid to fiduciaries on behalf of VA beneficiaries.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households, businesses or other 
for-profit, not-for-profit institutions, and State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Estimated Annual Burden
    a. VA Form 21-4706--500 hours.
    b. VA Form 21-4706b--4,500 hours.
    c. VA Form 21-4706c--1,500 hours.
    d. VA Form 21-4718--12,500 hours.
    e. VA Form 21-4718a--1,250 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent
    a. VA Form 21-4706--30 minutes.
    b. VA Form 21-4706b--27 minutes.
    c. VA Form 21-4706c--30 minutes.
    d. VA Form 21-4718--2\1/2\ hours.
    e. VA Form 21-4718a--3 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents
    a. VA Form 21-4706--1,000.
    b. VA Form 21-4706b--10,000.
    c. VA Form 21-4706c--3,000.
    d. VA Form 21-4718--5,000.
    e. VA Form 21-4718a--25,000.

    Dated: July 29, 2003.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Jacqueline Parks,
IT Specialist, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 03-20763 Filed 8-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-M