[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 11385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03732]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0115]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Supporting Statement 
Regarding Marriage

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 April 26, 2021.

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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#711f101f12085f1a140202181f1614033107105f161e07"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a8c6c9c6cbd186c3cddbdbc1c6cfcddae8dec986cfc7de">[email protected]</span></a>. Please refer to ``OMB Control 
No. 2900-0115'' 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dfb2beadb6bdbab3f1beafb0b1abba9fa9bef1b8b0a9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="127f73607b70777e3c73627d7c66775264733c757d64">[email protected]</span></a>. 
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0115'' 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: 38 U.S.C. 103.
    Title: Supporting Statement Regarding Marriage (VA Form 21P-4171).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0115.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through its 
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), administers an integrated 
program of benefits and services, established by law, for veterans, 
service personnel, and their dependents and/or beneficiaries. Title 38 
U.S.C. 5101(a) provides that a specific claim in the form provided by 
the Secretary must be filed in order for benefits to be paid to any 
individual under the laws administered by the Secretary. VBA utilizes 
VA Form 21P-4171 to collect information from third parties regarding 
claimed common-law marriage between Veterans and spouse/surviving 
spouses. VBA used this the information collected to determine whether 
or not the claimed common-law marriage is valid under the laws of the 
state/territory where the parties resided at the time of marriage or 
the laws of the state/territory where the parties resided when the 
right to benefits accrued, in accordance with 38 CFR 3.1(j) and pay 
monetary benefits.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 800 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 20 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Once.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,400.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Maribel Aponte,
VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Enterprise and Integration, Data 
Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021-03732 Filed 2-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P


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