[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62665-62666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-27728]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0406]


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

[[Page 62666]]

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 information needed by lenders to determine whether 
any benefits related debts exist in the veteran-borrower's name prior 
to the closing of any VA-guaranteed loans on an automatic basis.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before January 5, 2004.

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 mailto:[email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 
2900-0406'' 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: Verification of VA Benefit-Related Indebtedness, VA Form 26-
8937.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0406.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Lenders authorized to make VA-guaranteed home or 
manufactured loans on the automatic basis have been required to 
determine through VA whether any benefits related debts exist in the 
veteran-borrower's name prior to the closing of any automatic loan. 
Lenders may not close any proposed automatic loan until they have 
evidence from VA that there is no debt, or if a debt exists, or the 
veteran has agreed on an acceptable repayment plan, or payments under a 
plan already in effect are current. The form restricts information 
requested to only that need for the debt check and eliminates unlimited 
versions of lender-designed forms. It provides information advising the 
lender whether or not the veteran is exempt from paying the funding 
fee, which must be collected on all VA home loans unless the veteran is 
receiving service-connected disability compensation. This benefits the 
lender by streamlining the procedure to verify the veteran's receipt of 
compensation. VA Form 26-8937 is designed to assist lenders and VA in 
the completion of debt checks in a uniform manner.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 6,250 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 5 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One-time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75,000.

    Dated: October 23, 2003.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Jacqueline Parks,
IT Specialist, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 03-27728 Filed 11-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P