Note to Reviewer

Note to Reviewer of 1210-0135

On May 20, 2009, OMB approved the Application under OMB Control Number 1210-0135 under the emergency procedures for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) and 5 CFR 1320.13. OMB’s approval of the revision currently is scheduled to expire on November 30, 2009.

In its May 20, 2009, Notice of Action approving the ICR, OMB included a term of clearance requiring the Department to describe how it uses all of the data collected to carry out program objectives. EBSA has used the data in the applications to meet its responsibilities to review denials of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) premium subsidy. Since the programs inception in May, EBSA has received over 8,600 applications and have overturned more than 5,350 denials. These determinations have allowed individuals to receive the 65% premium reduction assistance for COBRA benefits as authorized under AARA. The Application also assists EBSA in meeting it program objective to efficiently collect information from the relevant parties to ensure that the 15-day review deadline is met.