[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 172 (Thursday, September 5, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72713-72714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19939]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0891]


Agency Information Collection Activity: COVID-19 Refund 
Modification

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: 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.

DATES:  Comments must be received on or before November 4, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be submitted through www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Program-Specific information: Nancy J. Kessinger, 202-632-8924, 
[email protected].
    VA PRA information: Maribel Aponte, 202-461-8900, 
[email protected].

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.
    Title: COVID-19 Refund Modification.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0891.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VA is keeping this information collection open for 
resubmissions regarding the loan modification options available to 
servicers that do not require VA's prior approval to include the COVID-
19 Refund Modification, to assist certain COVID-impacted veterans as 
they exit a COVID-19 forbearance. Under 38 U.S.C. 3720(a)(2), Congress 
has provided the Secretary with discretion ``[n]otwithstanding the 
provisions of any other law'' to set the terms and conditions to which 
the Secretary will consent to loan modifications. Additionally, while 
VA has outlined in regulation at 38 CFR 36.4315(a) the terms of loan 
modifications that do not require prior VA approval, VA may waive a 
regulatory requirement if VA finds the interest of the Government are 
not adversely affected and such waiver would relieve undue prejudice to 
a debtor, holder, or other person without impairing the vest rights of 
any person affected. 38 CFR 36.4338(a).
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,588.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 90 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,059.

[[Page 72714]]

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

Maribel Aponte,
VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Enterprise and Integration/Data 
Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2024-19939 Filed 9-4-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P