Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; ETA-5130 Benefit Appeals Report

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 [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.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before August 27, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to Jack Bright, Office of Workforce Security, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-4516, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 693-3214 (this is not a toll-free number) or by e-mail: bright.jack@dol.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jack Bright, Office of Workforce Security, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-4516, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 693-3214 (this is not a toll-free number) or by e-mail: bright.jack@dol.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background: The ETA-5130, Benefit Appeals Report, contains information on the number of unemployment insurance appeals and the resultant decisions classified by program, appeals level, cases filed and disposed of (workflow), and decisions by level, appellant, and issue. The data on this report are used by the Department of Labor to monitor the benefit appeals process in the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) and to develop any needed plans for remedial action. The data are also needed for workload forecasts and to determine administrative funding. If this information were not available, developing problems might not be discovered early enough to allow for timely solutions and avoidance of time consuming and costly corrective action.

II. Desired Focus of Comments: Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension collection of the ETA-5130 Benefit Appeals Report. Comments are requested to:

• 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 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.

A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed above in the addressee section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration.

Title: Benefit Appeals Report.

OMB Number: 1205-0172.

Agency Number: ETA-5130.

Recordkeeping: 3-year record retention.

Affected Public: State governments.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc: Social Security Act, Section 303(a)(6).

Total Respondents: 53.

Frequency: Monthly.

Total Responses: 636.

Average Time per Response: 1 hour.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 636 hours.

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

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $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.