Notice2026-18503
Proposed Revision of Information Collection: Rehabilitation Plan and Award.
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 10, 2026
Issuing agencies
Labor DepartmentWorkers' Compensation Programs Office
Abstract
The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance request for comment to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request 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. Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is soliciting comments on the information collection for the OWCP-16, Rehabilitation Plan and Award.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57659-57660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18503]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
[OMB Control No. 1240-0045]
Proposed Revision of Information Collection: Rehabilitation Plan
and Award.
AGENCY: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance
request for comment to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of information
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request
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.
Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is
soliciting comments on the information collection for the OWCP-16,
Rehabilitation Plan and Award.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before November 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments as follows. Please note that late,
untimely filed comments will not be considered.
Electronic Submissions: Submit electronic comments in the following
way:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Comments submitted
electronically, including attachments, to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>
will be posted to the docket, with no changes. Because your comment
will be made public, you are responsible for ensuring that your comment
does not include any confidential information that you or a third party
may not wish to be posted, such as your or anyone else's Social
Security number or confidential business information.
<bullet> If your comment includes confidential information that you
do not wish to be made available to the public, submit the comment as a
written/paper submission.
Written/Paper Submissions: Submit written/paper submissions in the
following way:
<bullet> Mail/Hand Delivery: Mail or visit the U.S. Department of
Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 200 Constitution Ave.
NW, Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210.
<bullet> OWCP will post your comment as well as any attachments,
except for information submitted and marked as confidential, in the
docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anjanette Suggs, Office of Workers'
Compensation Programs, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2655534141550847484c4748435252436642494a08414950"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="81f2f4e6e6f2afe0efebe0efe4f5f5e4c1e5eeedafe6eef7">[email protected]</span></a> (email); (202) 354-
9660.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is the agency
responsible for administration of the Longshore and Harbor Workers'
Compensation Act (LHWCA), and the Federal Employees' Compensation Act
(FECA). 33 U.S.C. 939 (LHWCA) and 5 U.S.C. 8104 and 8111 (FECA)
authorize OWCP to pay for approved vocational rehabilitation services
to eligible workers with work-related disabilities. In order to decide
whether to approve a rehabilitation plan, OWCP must receive a copy of
the plan, supporting vocational testing materials and the estimated
cost to implement the plan, broken down to show the fees, supplies,
tuition and worker maintenance payments that are contemplated. OWCP
also must receive the signatures of the
[[Page 57660]]
worker and the rehabilitation counselor to show that the worker agrees
to follow the proposed plan, and that the proposed plan is appropriate.
Form OWCP-16 is the standard format for the collection of this
information. The regulations implementing these statutes allow for the
collection of information needed for OWCP to determine if a
rehabilitation plan should be approved and payment of any related
expenses should be authorized. (LHWCA, 20 CFR 702.506 and 702.507;
FECA, 20 CFR 10.518, 10.519).
See: Longshore References:
<bullet> <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/dlhwc/lhwca">https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/dlhwc/lhwca</a>.
<bullet> <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-VI/subchapter-A/part-702/subpart-E/section-702.506">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-VI/subchapter-A/part-702/subpart-E/section-702.506</a>.
See: FECA References:
<bullet> <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/regs/statutes/feca">https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/regs/statutes/feca</a>.
<bullet> <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10</a>.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
OWCP is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection related to Rehabilitation Plan and Award. OWCP is
particularly interested in comments that:
<bullet> Evaluate whether the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,
including whether the information has practical utility;
<bullet> Evaluate the accuracy of OWCP/DFEC/DLHWC's estimate of the
burden related to the information collection, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used in the estimate;
<bullet> Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and
<bullet> Minimize the burden of the information collection 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
submission of responses.
Documents related to this information collection request are
available at <a href="https://regulations.gov">https://regulations.gov</a>. Questions about the information
collection requirements may be directed to the person listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION section of this notice.
III. Current Actions
This information collection request concerns the Rehabilitation
Plan and Award, Form OWCP-16. OWCP has updated the data with respect to
the number of respondents, responses, burden hours, and burden costs
supporting this information collection request from the previous
information collection request.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs OWCP.
OMB Number: 1240-0045.
Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
Number of Respondents: 1,430.
Frequency: On Occasion.
Number of Responses: 1,430.
Annual Burden Hours: 715.
Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $0.00.
OWCP: 1240-0045: Rehabilitation Plan and Award.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized in
the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the
proposed information collection request; they will become a matter of
public record and will be available at <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov">https://www.reginfo.gov</a>.
Anjanette Suggs,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2026-18503 Filed 9-9-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CH-P
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