Agency Information Collection Activity: Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Improvements and Amendments Under the VA MISSION Act of 2018, 42983-42984 [2020-15247]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 136 (Wednesday, July 15, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42983-42984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15247]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0768]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Program of Comprehensive 
Assistance for Family Caregivers Improvements and Amendments Under the 
VA MISSION Act of 2018

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed 
collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish 
notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of 
information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved 
collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the 
notice.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before September 14, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Brian McCarthy, Office of Regulatory and Administrative Affairs 
(10B4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20420 or email to [email protected]. Please refer 
to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0768'' in any correspondence. During the 
comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian McCarthy at (202) 615-9241.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must 
obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each 
collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for 
comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Authority: Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.
    Title: Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers 
Improvements and Amendments Under the VA MISSION Act of 2018, VA Form 
10-10CG.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0768.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Pursuant to RIN 2900-AQ48, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA) has proposed revisions to its regulations that govern VA's 
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). That 
rulemaking would make improvements to PCAFC and update the regulations 
to comply with section 161 of Public Law 115-182, the John S. McCain 
III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal 
Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 
2018, or the VA MISSION Act of 2018, which made changes to PCAFC's 
authorizing statute. The proposed changes would allow PCAFC to better 
address the needs of veterans of all eras and standardize the current 
program to focus on eligible veterans with moderate and severe needs.
    This proposed rule--
     Would expand PCAFC to eligible veterans of all service 
eras, as specified.
     Would define new terms and revise existing terms used 
throughout the regulation. Some of the new and revised terms would have 
a substantial impact

[[Page 42984]]

on eligibility requirements for PCAFC (e.g., in need of personal care 
services; need for supervision, protection, or instruction; and serious 
injury), and the benefits available under PCAFC (e.g., financial 
planning services, legal services, and monthly stipend rate).
     Would establish an annual reassessment to determine 
continued eligibility for PCAFC.
     Would revise the stipend payment calculation for Primary 
Family Caregivers.
     Would establish a transition plan for legacy participants 
and legacy applicants who may or may not meet the new eligibility 
criteria and whose Primary Family Caregivers could have their stipend 
amount impacted by changes to the stipend payment calculation.
     Would add financial planning and legal services as new 
benefits available to Primary Family Caregivers.
     Would revise the process for revocation and discharge from 
PCAFC.
     Would reference VA's ability to collect overpayments made 
under PCAFC.
    The background for PCAFC and this information collection resides in 
Title I of Public Law (Pub. L.) 111-163, Caregivers and Veterans 
Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (hereinafter referred to as ``the 
Caregivers Act''), which established section 1720G(a) of title 38 of 
the United States Code (U.S.C.) ``Assistance and Support Services for 
Caregivers.'' Section 1720G required VA to establish a Program of 
Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) of eligible 
veterans. The Caregivers Act also required VA to establish a Program of 
General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) that is available to 
caregivers of covered veterans of all eras. VA implemented the PCAFC 
and the PGCSS through its regulations in part 71 of title 38 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Through PCAFC, VA provides family 
caregivers of eligible veterans (as defined in 38 CFR 71.15) certain 
benefits, such as training, respite care, counseling, technical 
support, beneficiary travel (to attend required caregiver training and 
for an eligible veteran's medical appointments), a monthly stipend 
payment, and access to health care coverage (if qualified) through the 
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (CHAMPVA). 38 U.S.C. 1720G(a)(3), 38 CFR 71.40.
    In order to administer these benefits to caregivers, it is 
necessary that VA receive information about the nature of the benefit 
being sought and the persons who will be serving as primary or 
secondary family caregivers and receiving benefits. This information is 
collected with VA Form 10-10CG, which is currently approved under 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 2900-0768. 
Additional information will be collected by VA when a participating 
veteran provides required notice of a change of address and will be 
added to OMB Control Number 2900-0768.

VA Form 10-10CG

    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 15,694 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 15 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Once annually.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 62,776.

Veteran Change of Address Notification

    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 542 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 10 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 3,250.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Danny S. Green,
PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Quality, Performance and Risk (OQPR), 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020-15247 Filed 7-14-20; 8:45 am]
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