View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package
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Please note that the OMB number and expiration date may not have been determined when this Information Collection Request and associated Information Collection forms were submitted to OMB. The approved OMB number and expiration date may be found by clicking on the Notice of Action link below.
View ICR - OIRA Conclusion
OMB Control No:
2900-0495
ICR Reference No:
202502-2900-009
Status:
Active
Previous ICR Reference No:
202203-2900-017
Agency/Subagency:
VA
Agency Tracking No:
VBA-P&F-YA
Title:
Marital Status Questionnaire (VA Form 21P-0537)
Type of Information Collection:
Extension without change of a currently approved collection
Common Form ICR:
No
Type of Review Request:
Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action:
Approved without change
Conclusion Date:
12/01/2025
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)
Date Received in OIRA:
08/28/2025
Terms of Clearance:
OMB is approving this information collection request for a period of three years during which time the agency will request approval to extend or revise the collection if the agency seeks to continue the information collection activity beyond the period approved under this action.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
Expiration Date
12/31/2028
36 Months From Approved
11/30/2025
Responses
2,756
0
2,756
Time Burden (Hours)
230
0
230
Cost Burden (Dollars)
0
0
0
Abstract:
VA Form 21P-0537 is used to verify a surviving spouse’s current marital status to verify his or her continuing entitlement to DIC benefits. The form letter is automatically generated and mailed to DIC beneficiaries. Agency action depends on the information provided by the beneficiary. If the information provided supports the beneficiary’s continued entitlement to benefits, no action is taken. If the information provided by the beneficiary does not support continued entitlement to benefits, VA will take action to terminate benefit payments, based on the facts found.
Authorizing Statute(s):
US Code:
38 USC 103
Name of Law: Special Provisions Relating to Marriages
PL:
Pub.L. 116 - 315 2009
Name of Law: Eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses who remarry after age
US Code:
38 USC 101(3)
Name of Law: Definition of Surviving Spouse
Citations for New Statutory Requirements:
None
Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:
Stage of Rulemaking:
Federal Register Citation:
Date:
Not associated with rulemaking
Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:
Federal Register Citation:
Citation Date:
90 FR 27071
06/25/2025
30-day Notice:
Federal Register Citation:
Citation Date:
90 FR 42066
08/28/2025
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR?
No
Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR:
1
IC Title
Form No.
Form Name
Marital Status Questionnaire
21P-0537
Marital Status Questionnaire
ICR Summary of Burden
Total Approved
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
2,756
2,756
0
0
0
0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)
230
230
0
0
0
0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)
0
0
0
0
0
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:
Annual Cost to Federal Government:
$31,042
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
Agency Contact:
Dorothy Glasgow 240 205-5190 dorothy.glasgow@va.gov
Common Form ICR:
No
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:
08/28/2025
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