[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 203 (Friday, October 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 64383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25750]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0406]


Proposed Information Collection (Verification of VA Benefits) 
Activity: 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 
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 December 18, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at 
www.Regulations.gov or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits 
Administration (20M35), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email to [email protected]. 
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0406'' in any correspondence. 
During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through at 
FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 632-8924 
or Fax (202) 632-8925.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3521), 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 Benefits, 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 an automatic basis are 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 
cannot close any proposed automatic loan until evidence is received 
from VA stating 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. VA Form 26-8937 is used to assist 
lenders and VA in the completion of debt checks in a uniform manner. 
The form restricts information requested to only that is needed for the 
debt check and to eliminate unlimited versions of lender-designed 
forms. The form also informs 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.
    Affected Public: Individuals of households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 10,000 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One-time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 120,000.

    Dated: October 15, 2012.

    By direction of the Secretary.

William F. Russo,
Deputy Director, Office of Regulations Policy and Management, Office of 
the General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-25750 Filed 10-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P