Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents (VA Form 21-686c)

OMB Control No: 2900-0043	ICR Reference No: 202504-2900-004
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202111-2900-008
Agency/Subagency: VA	Agency Tracking No: VBA-COMP-KM
Title: Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents (VA Form 21-686c)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 08/20/2025
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 07/18/2025
Terms of Clearance: OMB is approving this information collection request for a period of three years during which time the agency will request approval to extend or revise the collection if the agency seeks to continue the information collection activity beyond the period approved under this action.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	08/31/2028	36 Months From Approved	08/31/2025
Responses	535,538	0	369,162
Time Burden (Hours)	267,769	0	184,581
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: VA Form 21-686c is used to gather the necessary information to determine eligibility for additional benefits for dependents. Without this information, entitlement to these benefits could not be determined.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 38 USC 1115 Name of Law: Additional Compensation for Dependents    US Code: 38 USC 501(a) Name of Law: Rules and Regulations

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:
	90 FR 20216	05/12/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 34081	07/18/2025
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 Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents (VA Form 21-686c) VA Form 21-686c Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	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	535,538	369,162	0	166,376	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	267,769	184,581	0	83,188	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The respondent burden has increased due to the estimated number of receivables averaged over the past year.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $13,633,775

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: Dorothy Glasgow 240 205-5190 [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: 07/18/2025

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