[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 45363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20767]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0399]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Student Beneficiary 
Report--REPS (Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors)

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Veteran's 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.

DATES:  Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before November 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Nancy Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email 
to [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-
0399'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may 
be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Harvey-Pryor at (202) 461-
5870.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, 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.
    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 402; Executive Order 12436.
    Title: Student Beneficiary Report--REPS (Restored Entitlement 
Program for Survivors) (VA Forms 21P-8938 & 21P-8938-1).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0399.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Abstract: Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) 
benefits are payable to certain surviving spouses and children of 
veterans who died in service prior to August 13, 1981 or who died as a 
result of a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated prior 
to August 13, 1981. Child beneficiaries over age 18 and under age 23 
must be enrolled full-time in an approved post-secondary school.
    Executive Order 12436 ``Payment of Certain Benefits to Survivors of 
Persons Who Died In or As A Result of Military Service'' (found at 42 
U.S.C. 402 (Note)) directs VA administer the provisions of Public Law 
97-377 Section 156. VA codified this authority at 38 CFR 3.812.
    VBA uses VA Forms 21-8938 and 21-8938-1 to verify that a surviving 
child who is receiving REPS benefits based on schoolchild status is in 
fact enrolled full-time in an approved school and is otherwise eligible 
for continued benefits. VA Form 21-8938 is generated by VA's central 
computer system each March and sent to all student beneficiaries. If 
the completed form is not received by the end of May, the beneficiary 
is sent a system-generated due process letter with another VA Form 21-
8938. VBA uses VA Form 21-8938-1 if another copy of the form is needed 
by a respondent.
    The VA Form number is being changed to ``21P-8941'' to reflect 
Pension and Fiduciary Service's responsibility for the form.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,767 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 20 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,300.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Cynthia Harvey-Pryor,
Department Clearance Officer, Office of Quality, Privacy and Risk, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2017-20767 Filed 9-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P