The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA), through its Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA),
administers an integrated program of benefits and services
established by law for veterans, service personnel, and their
dependents and/or beneficiaries. Information is requested by this
form under the authority of 38 U.S.C. §1503(a)(8) regarding
exceptions to countable income for needs-based benefits,
specifically an amount equal to amounts paid by a claimant or
beneficiary for unreimbursed medical expenses. In RIN 2900-AO73, VA
proposes to amend its pension regulations to maintain the integrity
of its needs-based pension program. VA has authority under 38
U.S.C. 501(a) to prescribe all rules and regulations which are
necessary or appropriate to carry out the laws administered by VA.
VA would amend its information collections in conjunction with RIN
2900-AO73. This rulemaking is largely in response to a Government
Accountability Office (GAO) report, GAO-12-50, Veterans’ Pension
Benefits: Improvements Needed to Ensure Only Qualified Veterans and
Survivors Receive Benefits. VA Form 21P-8416 is used by claimants
and beneficiaries to report unreimbursed medical expenses for the
purpose of reducing their countable income associated with
needs-based benefit programs such as VA Pension and Parents’
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Unreimbursed medical
expenses are deducted from otherwise countable income to determine
eligibility for income-based benefits and the rate
payable.
US Code:
38 USC 1503(a)(8) Name of Law: Determinations with respect to
annual income
The reduction in the number of
estimated annual respondents was published in the Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking 2900-AO73 (80 FR 3839 through 386, on January
23, 2015).
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.