VA Form 21-601 is used to gather
information that is necessary to determine entitlement to accrued
benefits, amounts of VA benefits due and unpaid to a deceased
beneficiary at the time of death. Benefits are paid to survivors
based on the order of preference shown in 38 U.S.C. 5121; however,
when there are no eligible survivors, benefits may be paid as
reimbursement to the person or persons who bore the expenses of the
beneficiary's last illness and burial. Without this information, VA
would be unable to properly authorize benefits.
US Code:
38
USC 5121 Name of Law: Payment of certain accrued benefits upon
death of a beneficiary
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.