Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) - AR96

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Form VA Form 10-10CG Application for Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Program Form and Instruction	Modified
SSA_2900-0768_PCAFC_AR96(P)_updated Dec 2024.docx Supporting Statement A	2024-12-06

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
272874	Requests for Discharge	New
272873	Requests for Reassessment	New
197562	Application for Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Program Form and Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2900-0768	ICR Reference No: 202412-2900-006
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202309-2900-005
Agency/Subagency: VA	Agency Tracking No: 2900-0768
Title: Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) - AR96
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 12/06/2024

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	01/31/2027	01/31/2027
Responses	145,181	110,671
Time Burden (Hours)	35,451	27,668
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: Public Law (P.L.) 111-163, Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 amended title 38 United States Code Chapter 17 by adding a new section, 1720G, “Assistance and Support Services for Caregivers.” Section 1720G required the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and Support Services. Under the law, Primary Family Caregivers may be eligible to receive a stipend, access to health care coverage, mental health counseling, comprehensive caregiver education and training, and expanded respite services. Caregivers also may be eligible for travel benefits when they accompany the Veteran for care or attending training. In order to administer these benefits to caregivers, it is necessary that VA receive information about the nature of benefit being sought and the persons who will be serving as caregivers and receiving benefits. This information is collected with VA Form 10-10CG. The AR96 regulation, in proposed 38 CFR 71.25(a), would require veterans, servicemembers and caregivers to submit a new joint application to participate in PCAFC and receive benefits. VA is proposing changes to PCAFC eligibility requirements. These changes are expected to result in an influx of new applications in the initial year of implementation, including from applicants who have previously applied and been denied. The number of applications submitted to VA is expected to fall back to more typical numbers after the initial influx. In addition, requests for certain types of discharges will now be included in this information collection. Veterans or their Family Caregivers may request discharge from PCAFC. Such requests may be submitted in writing or verbally, to include the date such discharge should take effect. If such request for discharge is due to cases of domestic violence (DV) or intimate partner violence (IPV) by the Veteran against the Family Caregiver, the provision of a protective order, police report, or documentation by a treating provider of disclosure of DV or IPV may be provided to support the provision of extended benefits to the Family Caregiver upon the discharge. AR96(P) also sets forth a process for eligible Veterans and Primary Family Caregivers to request reassessment for continued eligibility. While a written request is not required, if a written request is received, such written request may support an earlier effective date for any increased benefits for which the Family Caregiver may be eligible based on the reassessment.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 111 - 163 1720G Name of Law: Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
2900-AR96	Proposed rulemaking	89 FR 97404	12/06/2024

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 3

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Application for Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Program	VA Form 10-10CG	Application for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
Requests for Discharge
Requests for Reassessment

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ICR Summary 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	145,181	110,671	0	34,510	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	35,451	27,668	0	7,783	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The anticipated annual number of responses and burden hours have increased based upon an anticipated increase in caregiver applications and the addition of collections for certain types of discharges and requests for reassessments for continued PCAFC eligibility.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $1,769,004

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]? Yes

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: 12/06/2024

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