[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40645-40646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16758]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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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 Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed collection: Overpayment Recovery 
Questionnaire (OWCP-20). A copy of the proposed information collection 
request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the 
ADDRESSES section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before September 10, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Ms Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Ave. NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 693-0701, 
fax (202) 693-2447, Email [email protected]. Please use only one 
method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Background

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is the agency 
responsible for administration of the Federal Employees' Compensation 
Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq., the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA), 
30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and the Energy Employees Occupational Illness 
Compensation Program Act of 2000 (EEOICPA), 42 U.S.C. 7384 et seq. This 
information collection is used by OWCP examiners to ascertain the 
financial condition of the beneficiary to determine if the overpayment 
or any part can be recovered; to identify the possible concealment or 
improper transfer of assets; and to identify and consider present and 
potential income and current assets for enforced collection 
proceedings. The questionnaire provides a means for the beneficiary to 
explain why he/she is without fault in an overpayment matter. If this 
information were not collected BLBA, EEOICPA and FECA would have little 
basis to determine appropriate collection proceedings. This information 
collection is currently approved for use through November 30, 2012.

II. Review Focus

    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.

III. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks the approval of the extension of this 
currently approved information collection in order to determine whether 
or not the recovery of any Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA), Energy 
Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) or 
Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) overpayment may be waived, 
compromised, terminated, or collected in full.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Title: Overpayment Recovery Questionnaire.

[[Page 40646]]

    OMB Number: 1240-0051.
    Agency Number: OWCP-20.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Total Respondents: 3,088.
    Total Responses: 3,088.
    Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3,088.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $1,482.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice 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: July 3, 2012.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2012-16758 Filed 7-9-12; 8:45 am]
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