Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0270]

Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans

Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) 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. This notice

solicits comments for information needed to help veteran-borrowers who

are seriously delinquent on guaranteed or insured VA home loans.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection

of information should be received on or before November 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to

Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20S52),

Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

20420. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0270'' in any

correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 273-7079

or FAX (202) 275-5947.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44

U.S.C., 3501-3520), 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.

Title and Form Number: Financial Counseling Statement, VA Form 26-

8844.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0270.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The form is part of VA's supplemental servicing program

for helping veteran-borrowers who are seriously delinquent on

guaranteed or

[[Page 51121]]

insured VA home loans. In VA's supplemental servicing effort, financial

counseling is performed in appropriate cases to afford veteran-

borrowers the maximum assistance possible to retain their homes during

periods of temporary financial difficulty. The information collected is

used by VA to make recommendations to the borrower in an effort to help

the borrower cure the default status of the loan.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 3,750 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 45 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000.

Dated: August 24, 1998.

By direction of the Secretary.

Donald L. Neilson,

Director, Information Management Service.

[FR Doc. 98-25553 Filed 9-23-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8320-01-P