Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Request for a Certificate of Eligibility for VA Home Loan Benefit

AGENCY:

Loan Guaranty Service, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Loan Guaranty Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before May 24, 2019.

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. 2900-0086” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Danny S. Green, Enterprise Records Service (005R1B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 811 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, (202) 421-1354 or email Danny.Green2@va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0086” 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: Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.

Title: Request for a Certificate of Eligibility for VA Home Loan Benefit, VA Form 26-1880.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0086.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 26-1880 is used by VA to determine an applicant's eligibility for Loan Guaranty benefits, and the amount of entitlement available. Each completed form is normally accompanied by proof of military service and is submitted by the applicant to the appropriate VA office. If eligible, VA will issue the applicant a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to be used in applying for Loan Guaranty benefits.

This form is also used in restoration of entitlement cases. Generally, if an applicant has used all or part of his or her entitlement, it may be restored if (1) the property has been sold and the loan has been paid in full or (2) a qualified veteran-transferee agrees to assume the balance on the loan and agrees to substitute his or her entitlement for the same amount of entitlement originally used by the applicant to get the loan. The buyer must also meet the occupancy and income and credit requirements of the law. Restoration is not automatic; an applicant must apply for it by completing VA Form 26-1880.

The Secretary is required by 38 U.S.C. 3702 (a), (b), and (c) to determine the applicant's eligibility for Loan Guaranty benefits, compute the amount of entitlement, and document the certificate with the amount and type of guaranty used and the amount, if any, remaining.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 80,250 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 15 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One-time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 321,000.