VA Form 21-686c is used to obtain current information about marital status and dependent child(ren). The information is needed to determine the correct rate of payment for veterans and beneficiaries who may be entitled to an additional allowance for dependents or to remove dependents.
Substantive and non-substantive changes have been added to VA Form 21-686c. They include the following:
• A new title
• Non-substantive changes, to include:
o New standardization data points; to include optical character recognition and section headings
o A notice that provides information about evidence that is needed to support a claim for additional benefits for a dependent or to remove a
dependent
• An ‘Addendum’ that allows additional space to add more children
• Substantive changes were added to clarify a more defined space to remove a spouse or child(ren) due to divorce, death, marriage of a
dependent child, or a schoolchild no longer attending school, and
• Due to the addition of removals to this application, VA has determined that the burden estimate has been increased from 15 to 30 minutes.
US Code:
38 USC 501(a)
Name of Law: Rules and Regulations
US Code:
38 USC 1115
Name of Law: Additional Compensation for Dependents
The burden increase is due to adding sections to the form for the removal of a dependent. The time to complete the form has increased from 15 minutes to 30 to accommodate this change.
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.