Emergency approval is granted. VA shall, as soon as practicable, comply with the ordinary PRA process at 5 CFR 1320.12. In that submission to OMB, VA shall modify the form to include "the fact that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number" (5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3)(vi)).
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2021
6 Months From Approved
09/30/2021
66,026
0
16,500
16,236
0
4,125
0
0
0
Pursuant to RIN 2900-AQ48, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has proposed revisions to its regulations that govern VAâs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). This rulemaking would make improvements to PCAFC and update the regulations to comply with section 161 of Public Law 115-182, the VA MISSION Act of 2018, which made changes to PCAFCâs authorizing statute. These proposed changes would allow PCAFC to better address the needs of Veterans of all eras and standardize the current program to focus on eligible veterans with moderate and severe needs.
The background for PCAFC and this information collection resides in Title I of Public Law (Pub. L.) 111-163, Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (hereinafter referred to as âthe Caregivers Actâ), which established section 1720G(a) of title 38 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) âAssistance and Support Services for Caregivers.â Section 1720G required VA to establish a Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) of eligible veterans. The Caregivers Act also required VA to establish a Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) that is available to caregivers of covered Veterans of all eras. VA implemented the PCAFC and the PGCSS through its regulations in part 71 of title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Through PCAFC, VA provides family caregivers of eligible veterans (as defined in 38 CFR 71.15) certain benefits, such as training, respite care, counseling, technical support, beneficiary travel (to attend required caregiver training and for an eligible veteranâs medical appointments), a monthly stipend payment, and access to health care coverage.
In order to administer these benefits to caregivers, it is necessary that the VA receive information about the nature of benefit being sought and the persons who will be serving as primary or secondary family caregivers and receiving benefits. This information is collected with VA Form 10-10CG. The rule, at 38 CFR 71.25, includes a provision constituting a modification to a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521) which requires approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Accordingly, under 44 U.S.C. 3507(d), VA has submitted a copy of the rulemaking to OMB for review.
VA requests emergency processing of revisions to OMB Control Number 2900-0768, associated with final rule AQ48, on the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) Amendments Under the VA MISSION Act of 2018. This collection is essential for the mission of VA and is needed prior to the regular time period prescribed by the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Upon review of the final rule AQ48, OMB has required the addition of another information collection piece â the notification a Veteran provides to PCAFC when they have a change of address. The PCAFC address change notification was not previously included under 2900-0768. At this point, VA cannot reasonably comply with the regular PRA clearance procedures and have this IC approved by Oct. 1, 2020.
VA, especially the Veterans Health Administration, has been focused on COVID-19 response over the last several months. In addition, the use of normal clearance procedures is reasonably likely to prevent or disrupt the collection of information. The implementation of this information collection requires alignment of our information technology resources with the beginning of the new fiscal year, October 1st, in order to avoid improper payments and litigation risk. Further, we believe that implementation of the improved PCAFC will assist caregivers and the Veterans they serve in the COVID-19 environment.
PL:
Pub.L. 111 - 163 1720G
Name of Law: Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010
The MISSION Act of 2018 expanded the pool of Veterans eligible for family caregiver assistance under PCAFC by including military service prior to Sept. 11, 2001. In addition, this IC will now include Veteran change of address notifications submitted to PCAFC, as required under the program.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form VA Form 10-10CG Application for Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Program
60-day FRN_PCAFC-10-10CG_AQ48_published 071520.pdf
Supp Stmnt A_PCAFC-MISSION Act Amend_Form 10-10CG_AQ48_revised July 2020.docx
Notification of Veteran Change of Address