COVID-19 Refund Modification

OMB Control No: 2900-0891	ICR Reference No: 202109-2900-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202106-2900-014
Agency/Subagency: VA	Agency Tracking No: VBA-LGY-YA
Title: COVID-19 Refund Modification
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 11/16/2021

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	01/31/2022
Responses	17,200	17,200
Time Burden (Hours)	25,800	25,800
Cost Burden (Dollars)	869,116	869,116

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Abstract: VA anticipates tens of thousands of Veterans will be exiting forbearance in the coming months and will require the COVID-19 Refund Modification to help avoid foreclosure of their homes. VA is temporarily expanding the list of loan modification options available to servicers that do not require VA’s prior approval to include a new loan modification, the COVID-19 Refund Modification, to assist certain COVID-impacted veterans as they exit a COVID-19 forbearance. Under 38 U.S.C. 3720(a)(2), Congress has provided the Secretary with discretion “[n]otwithstanding the provisions of any other law” to set the terms and conditions to which the Secretary will consent to loan modifications. Additionally, while VA has outlined in regulation at 38 CFR 36.4315(a) the terms of loan modifications that do not require prior VA approval, VA may waive a regulatory requirement if VA finds the interest of the Government are not adversely affected and such waiver would relieve undue prejudice to a debtor, holder, or other person without impairing the vest rights of any person affected. 38 CFR 36.4338(a).

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 38 USC 3720(a)(2)

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 50210	09/07/2021
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 63453	11/16/2021
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name COVID - 19 Refund Modification

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	17,200	17,200	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	25,800	25,800	0	0	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	869,116	869,116	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement:

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $351,740

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Yes

Agency Contact: Maribel Aponte 202 266-4688 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(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;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
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.
Certification Date: 11/16/2021

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