Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Form CM-972 Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S DOL	Form	Modified	Available
SS 1240-0011 CM-972 2026.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2026-06-16	Available
DOL-OWCP-2, Office of Workers' Compensation, Black Lung Benefits Claim File.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2017-02-22	Available

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
13877	Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor	Form	Modified	Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S DOL

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1240-0011	ICR Reference No: 202603-1240-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202401-1240-007
Agency/Subagency: DOL/OWCP	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 09/29/2026

table that charts list comparision

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	10/31/2026
Responses	820	590
Time Burden (Hours)	574	413
Cost Burden (Dollars)	340	204

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Abstract: The purpose of the CM-972 is to collect pertinent data to determine if the representative's services and the amounts charged can be paid under the Black Lung Benefits Act.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 30 USC 901 Name of Law: Black Lung Benefits Act
   US Code: 30 USC 932 Name of Law: Black Lung Benefits Act
   US Code: 30 USC 936 Name of Law: Black Lung Benefits Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 18487	04/10/2026
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 61458	09/29/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor	CM-972	Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S DOL

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ICR Summary of Burden

table that charts list of burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	820	590	0	0	230	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	574	413	0	0	161	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	340	204	0	0	136	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: EXPLANATION OF CHANGE TOTALS Respondents: The number of respondents increased from 590 to 820. The number of respondents increased due to an increased number of attorney fee awards issued. The following also increased due to an increase in number of forms received/responses and increase in postage rates. Responses: Responses have increased from 590 to 820. Burden Hours: Burden hours have increased from 413 to 574. Costs: Annual burden costs have increased from $204.00 to $340.00.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $19,992

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 09/29/2026

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