[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66619-66620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25530]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0867]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Health Eligibility Center 
(HEC) Income Verification (IV) Forms

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 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 January 24, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Janel Keyes, Office of Regulations, Appeals, and Policy (10BRAP), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20420 or email to [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 
2900-0867'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments 
may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise 
and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 1717 H Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20006, (202) 266-4688 or email [email protected]. 
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0867'' in any correspondence.

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, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA'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: Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.
    Title: Health Eligibility Center (HEC) Income Verification (IV) 
Forms, VA Forms 10-301, 10-302, 10-302A, 10-303, and 10-304.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0867.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection.
    Abstract: VHA Directive 1909 provides policy for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Eligibility Center (HEC) Income 
Verification (IV) Program under authority of 38 United States Code 
(U.S.C.) 1722; 38 U.S.C. 5317. Title 38 U.S.C. 1722 established 
eligibility assessment procedures, based on income levels, for 
determining whether nonservice-connected (NSC) Veterans and non-
compensable zero percent service-connected (SC) Veterans, who have no 
other special eligibility, are eligible to receive VA health care at no 
cost. Title 26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code and 38 
U.S.C. 5317 establish authority for VA to verify Veterans' gross 
household income information against records maintained by the Internal 
Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) when 
that information indicates the Veteran is eligible for cost-free VA 
health care.
    This information collection is necessary for HEC's Income 
Verification Division (IVD) to verify the income of Veterans and 
spouses. HEC IVD sends Veterans, and their spouses, individual letters 
to confirm income information reported by IRS and SSA. HEC does not 
change the Veteran's copay status until information supplied by IRS and 
SSA has been independently verified, either by the Veteran or through 
appropriate due process procedures.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: Total hours = 49,758.
    10-301--27,948 hours.
    10-302--5,679 hours.
    10-302a--1,420 hours.
    10-303--42 hours.
    10-304--14,669 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:
    10-301--30 minutes.
    10-302--20 minutes.
    10-302a--15 minutes.

[[Page 66620]]

    10-303--15 minutes.
    10-304--20 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Once annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Total Respondents = 122,789.
    10-301--55,896.
    10-302--17,038.
    10-302a--5,680.
    10-303--167.
    10-304--44,008.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Dorothy Glasgow,
VA PRA Clearance Officer (Alt.), Office of Enterprise and Integration/
Data Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021-25530 Filed 11-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P