[Federal Register: December 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 240)]
[Notices]               
[Page 69724-69725]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15de03-78]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

 
Proposed Extension of the Information Collection Request 
Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Unemployment 
Insurance (UI) Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) Program

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995(PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format; 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized; 
collection instruments are clearly understood; and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.

DATES: Submit comments on or before February 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Kari M. Baumann, Office of Workforce 
Security, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of 
Labor, Room S-4522, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kari M. Baumann, telephone: 202-693-
3286 (this is not a toll-free number); fax: 202-693-3975; e-mail: baumann.kari@dol.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Since 1987, all State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) except in the U.S. 
Virgin Islands have been required by regulation at 20 CFR Part 602 to 
operate BAM programs to assess the accuracy of their UI benefit 
payments in three programs: State UI, Unemployment Compensation for 
Federal Employees (UCFE), and Unemployment Compensation for Ex-
servicemembers (UCX).
    The Benefit Accuracy Measurement seeks to reduce waste, fraud, and 
abuse in the UI system. By investigating small representative weekly 
samples of both paid and denied UI claims, it enables each state to 
estimate reliably the number and dollar value of proper and improper 
payments and denials of UI benefits; the rates of occurrence of these 
proper and improper payments and denials; and the error types, error 
causes, and the parties that are responsible for the errors within its 
system.
    The BAM program consists of two comprehensive reviews of a 
statewide probability sample of UI payments and denials to determine 
the precise nature of improper payments. States use the same population 
edit and sample selection software programs to select the weekly 
samples. This software uses a systematic random sampling algorithm. The 
survey population excludes supplemental payments, waiting weeks, and 
extended benefits.
    Paid Claims Accuracy. Each week a random sample is selected of both 
intrastate and interstate original payments (including combined wage 
claims) made for a week of UI benefits under the State UI, UCX or UCFE 
programs. A sample of 360 cases per year is pulled in the ten states 
with the

[[Page 69725]]

smallest UI program workloads and 480 cases per year in the other 
states. State BAM staff audit each selected claim, examining all 
aspects of a claimant's eligibility to receive UI benefits during the 
sampled week. In an investigation, staff verify wages used to establish 
monetary entitlements, the claimant's reason for being unemployed, 
efforts to find work during the week, and any other factors which would 
have affected the claimant's entitlement to a UI benefit payment during 
the sampled week or the amount of the benefit paid. The findings are 
then numerically coded and entered into an automated database that is 
maintained on a computer located in each state.
    Denied Claims Accuracy. On a weekly basis, states select systematic 
random samples from three separate sampling frames constructed from the 
universes of UI claims for which eligibility was denied for monetary, 
separation and nonseparation reasons. All states sample a minimum of 
150 cases of each denial type in each calendar year. State BAM staff 
review agency records and contact claimants, employer(s), and all other 
relevant parties to verify information in agency records or obtain 
additional information pertinent to the determination that denies UI 
benefit eligibility. Unlike the investigation of paid claims, in which 
all prior determinations affecting claimant eligibility for the 
compensated week selected for the sample are evaluated, the 
investigation of denied claims is limited to the issue upon which the 
denial determination is based. The findings are then numerically coded 
and entered into an automated database that is maintained on a computer 
located in each state. Like the investigation of paid claims, states 
have the flexibility to conduct the investigation of denied claims by 
in-person interview, telephone, mail, e-mail or fax, as they deem 
appropriate.
    The Department relies heavily on BAM data for information on 
states' UI operations (e.g., the percent of claims taken by telephone 
and other remote methods) and performance. These data are reported 
annually in a data summary report and as part of the UI PERFORMS Annual 
Report. Further, BAM data are used as part of a overpayment detection 
measure under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Employment and Training Administration is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed extension of the collection of the UI BAM 
program data (OMB control number 1205-0245) now authorized through 
March 31, 2004. The Department is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    [sbull] Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    [sbull] Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    [sbull] Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.
    A copy of the information collection handbook (ETA Handbook 395) 
can be obtained by contacting the employee listed above in the contact 
section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Unemployment Insurance Benefit Accuracy Measurement Program.
    OMB Number: 1205-0245.
    Recordkeeping: States are required to follow their state laws 
regarding public record retention in retaining BAM paid and denied 
claims records.
    Affected Public: Individuals; businesses; other for-profit/not-for-
profit institutions; farms; Federal, State, local or tribal 
governments.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Respondents and Responses: 188,984 per year (52 SWAs/3,634 
per state; includes claimants, employers, third parties, and SWA BAM 
program staff).
    Estimated Time Per Case: Paid claims: claimant--0.5 hours; 
employers--0.85 hours; work search contacts--0.55 hours; third 
parties--0.05 hours; and SWA BAM staff--8.27 hours. Denied claims: 
claimant--0.5 hours; employers and third parties--0.5 hours; and SWA 
BAM staff--6.66 hours (average).
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 423,243 annually (8,139 hours per 
state).
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $12,544,372.73 annually 
(approximately $241,237.94 per state).
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: December 9, 2003.
Cheryl Atkinson,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security.
[FR Doc. 03-30856 Filed 12-12-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-30-P