Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Application for Continuation of Death Benefit for Student (LS-266). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before August 20, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, Email bell.hazel@dol.gov. Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. The Act provides for continuation of death benefits for a child or certain other surviving dependents after the age of 18 (to age 23) if the dependent qualifies as a student as defined in Section 2 (18) of the Act. Regulation 20 CFR 702.121 addresses the use of forms for the reporting of required information. The LS-266 is submitted by the parent or guardian of the dependent for whom continuation of benefits is sought. The statements contained on the form must be verified by an official of the educational institution. The information is used by the Department of Labor to determine whether a continuation of the benefits is justified. This information collection is currently approved for use through December 31, 2004.

II. Review Focus

The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

The Department of Labor seeks the approval of the extension of this information collection in order to ensure that eligible dependents may continue to receive benefits to which they are entitled.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Title: Application for Continuation of Death Benefits for Student.

OMB Number: 1215-0073.

Agency Number: LS-266.

Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit.

Total Respondents: 43.

Total Annual responses: 43.

Time per Response: 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 22.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.