Notice of Matching Program

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Notice of Matching Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of matching program.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs

(VA) intends to conduct a recurring computer matching program. This

will match personnel records of the Department of Defense (DOD) with VA

records of benefit recipients under the Montgomery GI Bill.

The goal of these matches is to identify the eligibility status of

veterans, servicemembers, and reservists who have applied for or who

are receiving education benefit payments under the Montgomery GI Bill.

The purpose of the match is to enable VA to verify that individuals

meet the conditions of military service and eligibility criteria for

payment of benefits determined by VA under the Montgomery GI Bill--

Active Duty (MGIB) and the Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve (MGIB-

SR).

DATES: This match will commence on December 1, 1997. At the expiration

of 18 months after the commencing date the departments may renew the

agreement for another 12 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John L. Fox (224), Assistant Director for Procedures and Systems,

Education Service, Veterans Benefit Administration, Department of

Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202)

273-7182.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Further Information regarding the matching

program is provided below. This information is required by paragraph 6c

of the ``Guidelines on the Conduct of Matching Programs'' issued by the

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) (54 FR 25818), as amended by OMB

Circular A-130, 61 FR 6435 (1996). A copy of this has been provided to

both Houses of Congress and the Office of Management and Budget. The

matching program is subject to their review.

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a. Names of participating agencies: Department of Defense and

Department of Veterans Affairs.

b. Purpose of the match: The purpose of the match is to enable VA

to determine whether an applicant is eligible for payment of benefits

under the MGIB or the MGIB-SR and to verify continued compliance with

the requirements of both programs.

c. Authority: The authority to conduct this match is found in 38

U.S.C. 3684A(a)(1).

d. Categories of records and individuals covered: The records

covered include eligibility records extracted from DOD personnel files

and benefit records that VA establishes for all individuals who have

applied for and/or are receiving, or have received education benefit

payments under the Montgomery GI Bill. These benefit records are

contained in a VA system of records identified as 58VA21/22 entitled:

Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records--VA, last

published in the Federal Register at 60 FR 20156.

e. Inclusive dates of the matching program: The match will begin on

December 1, 1997 or 40 days after the OMB review period, whichever is

later and continue in effect for 18 months.

f. Address for receipt of public inquiries or comments: Interested

individuals may submit written comments to the Director, Office of

Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810

Vermont Avenue, NW., Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments will be

available for public inspection at the above address in the Office of

Regulations Management, Room 1158, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Approved: October 23, 1997.

Hershel W. Gober,

Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

[FR Doc. 97-28712 Filed 10-29-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8320-01-M