Verification of VA Benefits (VA Form 26-8937)

OMB Control No: 2900-0406	ICR Reference No: 202203-2900-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202102-2900-014
Agency/Subagency: VA	Agency Tracking No: VBA-LGY-YA
Title: Verification of VA Benefits (VA Form 26-8937)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 05/16/2022

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	11/30/2022
Responses	5,500	120,000
Time Burden (Hours)	440	10,000
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: VA Form 26-8937 is used by lenders authorized to close VA-guaranteed loans on the automatic basis pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3702(d) for submission to VA prior to loan closing as a means of obtaining information on any existing benefit-related indebtedness of veteran home loan applicant.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 38 USC 5314(c) Name of Law: Special Provisions Relating to Benefits    US Code: 38 USC 3702(d) Name of Law: Housing and Small Business Loan

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:
	87 FR 14100	03/11/2022
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	87 FR 29783	05/16/2022
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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

IC Title Form No. Form Name Verification of VA Benefits 26-8937 VERIFICATION OF VA BENEFITS

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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	5,500	120,000	0	-114,500	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	440	10,000	0	-9,560	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	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: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: The reduction in burden is due to the streamlined processes and enhanced Certificate of Eligibility automation.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $62,507

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.     Yes

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.     Yes

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? No

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: 05/16/2022

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