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 the
Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). The fee must be
approved by the OWCP before any demand for payment can be made by
the representative. This information collection request sets forth
the criteria for the information, which must be presented by the
respondent in order to have the fee approved by the OWCP. The
information collection does not have a particular form or format;
the respondent must present the information in any format which is
convenient and which meets all the required information
criteria.
The previously approved number
of respondents has decreased from 7,697 to 4,035, which is a
difference of 3,662. Consequently, burden hours have also
decreased, which were previously noted as 3,849, now adjusted to
2,018, a difference of 1,831. We attribute the reduction as a
result of the previously approved ICR which included data from the
OWCP Longshore Program. However, in 2019, Longshore implemented a
new form unique to their Program which has been OMB approved
(Reference form LS-4, OMB 1240-0058). There are no planned major
changes to this letter at this time.
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.