Government Pays for Sonic Brain Attacks: Havana Syndrome Claims Bureaucratized
Published Date: 1/27/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Commerce is asking for public feedback on a form used to see who qualifies for one-time payments under the HAVANA Act, which helps people hurt by strange brain injuries while working for the Department since 2016. They want to keep collecting this info and need approval by March 30, 2026. This won’t cost anyone extra but helps make sure the process stays smooth and fair.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Form stays to determine HAVANA Act payments
The Department of Commerce will keep using an eligibility questionnaire (Form CD-350, OMB Control No. 0690-0037) to determine who may get a one-time lump-sum payment under the HAVANA Act. It covers current and former Department employees and their dependents who, on or after January 1, 2016, were injured by a qualifying brain injury while they were Department employees.
Applying takes about one hour and small cost
Filling out the eligibility form is estimated to take about 1 hour per claim (30 minutes for the claimant and 30 minutes for a physician). The Department estimates 20 respondents, a total annual burden of 20 hours, and an estimated total annual cost to the public of $2,350.
Multiple ways to submit the form
You can submit the eligibility questionnaire electronically, by email, mail, fax, or by interview. The Department is accepting public comment on the collection before it submits the extension request to OMB.
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