[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 101 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25898-25899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13008]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration


Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), Program Operating Forms

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed one year extension of previous 
approval by OMB of the attached DUA Program Operating Forms (ETA 81, 
ETA 81A, ETA 82, ETA 83 and ETA 84). A copy of the proposed information 
collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office 
listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before July 22, 1996.
    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    <bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    <bullet> Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    <bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarify of the 
information to be collected; and

[[Page 25899]]

    <bullet> Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

ADDRESSEE: Mary Ann Wyrsch, Director, Unemployment Insurance Service, 
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room 
S4231, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone 
number (202) 219-7831 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Public Law 100-707 (Sections 410 and 423) provide for benefit 
assistance to ``any individual unemployed as a result of a major 
disaster.'' SESA's, through agreements between the States and the 
Secretary of Labor, act as agents of the Secretary for the purpose of 
providing assistance to applicants in the various States who are 
unemployed as a result of a major disaster. The forms in Chapters III 
through VII of the Disaster Unemployment Assistance Handbook are used 
in connection with the provision of this benefit assistance. 
(Previously cleared for use thru OMB by ETA under OMB No. 1205-0051.)
    Form ETA 81 is an application form which is required to be 
completed by every applicant for Disaster Unemployment Assistance 
(DUA); DUA Form ETA 81A is a supplemental form to be completed by self-
employed (or self employed prior to the disaster) applicants only; Form 
ETA 82 is used by the State agency in making a determination of each 
applicant's entitlement to DUA and to notify the applicant of the 
determination; Section A of Form ETA 83 is completed by the applicant 
each time (weekly or bi-weekly) he/she continues to request assistance 
to ensure continued entitlement, and Section B is completed by the 
State agency to notify the applicant of his/her current eligibility 
status; and Form ETA 84 is used by the State agency to notify overdrawn 
participants in the DUA program of the weeks and the cause of 
overpayment. These forms are prescribed by the Secretary under 20 CFR 
625.8 and 625.9 and are all necessary to the operation of the program.

II. Current Actions

    The forms (described above) are used by SESA's in operating the 
program and are not reports per se. The continuation of this existing 
use of these forms by SESA's is essential to the operation of the DUA 
program. Because time is of the essence in making benefit payments due 
as a result of a major disaster, application data relating to the 
disaster are requested by State agencies through a number of 
appropriate forms. As previously indicated, if data were requested less 
frequently, determinations as to eligibility would be much more 
erratic, and the overall monitoring of the program as required by the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, in 
order to insure adequate administration--yet expeditious 
administration--would be greatly impaired. Effective accounting of 
disaster unemployment assistance benefits and other emergency 
expenditures would also be hampered.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Program Operating 
Forms.
    OMB Number: 1205-0051.
    Agency Number(s): ETA 81, ETA 81A, ETA 82, ETA 83, and ETA 84.
    Affected Public: Individuals/State Government.

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                                                                                                                        Average time                    
                 Cite/reference                        Total                   Frequency                    Total       per response    Burden in hours 
                                                    respondents                                           responses        (hours)                      
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ETA 81..........................................          11,000  Annually...........................          11,000           \1/3\              3,666
ETA 81A.........................................           3,800  Annually...........................           3,800           \1/4\                950
ETA 82..........................................          11,000  Annually...........................          11,000           \1/4\              2,750
ETA 83..........................................          11,000  Annually...........................          66,000           \1/4\             16,500
ETA 84..........................................             235  Annually...........................             235           \1/2\                117
                                                 ----------------                                     ----------------                ------------------
    Totals......................................          11,000  ...................................          92,035  ..............             23,983
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.00.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $148,922.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: May 15, 1996.
Mary Ann Wyrsch,
Director, Unemployment Insurance Service, Employment and Training 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 96-13008 Filed 5-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M