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###### Department of Veterans Affairs

          - [OMB Control No. 2900-0115]

# AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

# ACTION:

Notice.

# 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                         *nancy.kessinger@va.gov.*                         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                         *maribel.aponte@va.gov.*                         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]

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