Agency Information Collection Activity: Authorization To Disclose Personal Information to a Third Party

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, 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 reinstatement of a previously 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 9, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0736” 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), 810 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006, (202) 266-4688 or email maribel.aponte@va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0736” 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, 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: 5 U.S.C. 552a and 38 U.S.C. 5701, 38 CFR 1.526(a) and 1.576(b).

Title: Authorization to Disclose Personal Information to a Third Party (VA Form 21-0845).

OMB Control Number: 2900-0736.

Type of Review: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 21-0845 is used to release information in its custody or control in the following circumstances: where the individual identifies the information and consents to its use; for the purpose for which it was collected or a consistent purpose ( i.e., a purpose which the individual might have reasonably expected). By law, VA must have a claimants or beneficiary's written permission (an “authorization”) to use or give out claim or benefit information for any purpose that is not contained in VA's System of Records, 58VA21/22/28 Compensation, Pension, Education and Veterans Readiness and Employment Records. The claimant or beneficiary may revoke the authorization at any time, except if VA has already acted based on the claimant's permission.

No changes have been made to this form. The respondent burden has increased due to the estimated number of receivables averaged over the past year.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 9,472 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 113,660.