Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC

Agency Information Collection Activity: Intent To File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before February 17, 2026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VBA invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC (VA Form 21-0966).

OMB Control Number: 2900-0826. https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRASearch. (Once at this link, you can enter the OMB Control Number to find the historical versions of this Information Collection).

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 21-0966 is used to gather the necessary information to determine an effective date for an award granted in association with a complete claim filed within one year of such form. VA also uses it as a request for application and responds by mailing the claimant a letter of receipt, along with the appropriate VA form or application for VA benefits. Without this information, determination of entitlement would not be possible.

No changes have been made to this form. The respondent burden has increased due to the estimated number of receivables averaged over the past year.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 58,439 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 701,272 per year.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.