Individuals filing for compensation
benefits with the Office of Workers Compensation Programs (OWCP)
may be represented by an attorney or other representative. The
representative is entitled to request a fee for services under 20
CFR 10.700-703 (Federal Employees Compensation Act) and 20 CFR
702.132 (Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act). The fee
must be approved by the OWCP before any demand for payment can be
made by the representative. Under the FECA, the representative is
required to submit for review any fees resulting from representing
the claimant in filing for benefits. The program does not make
payment, but reviews the fee request to ensure that it is
consistent with services provided, and with customary local charges
for similar services. Fee requests received have been used to
approve attorneys fees, allowing the attorney to pursue payment of
an appropriate amount from the claimant. If the fee requested is
considered excessive, in view of the criteria outlined in the
regulations, the fee approved would be reduced
accordingly.
There has been a decrease in
the Longshore burden hours because of a decrease in Longshore
lost-time injuries reported and fee requests submitted. The
increase in costs burden result from increase in postage
costs.
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:
(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;
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.