[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 173 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46761-46762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22588]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census


Survey of Income and Program Participation--Wave 4 of the 1996 
Panel

ACTION: Proposed Agency Information Collection Activity; Comment 
Request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 4, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Michael McMahon, c/o U.S. Census Bureau, DSD--
Room 3319-3, Washington, DC 20233-8400, or telephone 301/457-3819.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) is a 
household-based survey designed as a continuous series of national 
panels, each lasting four years. Respondents are interviewed once every 
four months, in monthly rotations. Approximately 37,000 households are 
in the current panel.
    The SIPP represents a source of information for a wide variety of 
topics and allows information for separate topics to be integrated to 
form a single, unified data base so that the interaction between tax, 
transfer, and other government and private policies can be examined. 
Government domestic policy formulators depend heavily upon SIPP 
information concerning the distribution of income received directly as 
money or indirectly as in-kind benefits, and the effect of tax and 
transfer programs on this distribution. They also need improved and 
expanded data on the income and general economic and financial 
situation of the U.S. population.
    The SIPP has provided these kinds of data on a continuing basis 
since late 1983, permitting levels of economic

[[Page 46762]]

well-being and changes in these levels to be measured over time.
    The survey is molded around a central ``core'' of labor force and 
income questions that will remain fixed throughout the life of a panel. 
The core is supplemented with questions designed to answer specific 
needs such as obtaining information on the ownership and contributions 
made to IRA, Keogh, and 401K plans; examining patterns in respondent 
work schedules and their possible impact on child care arrangements; 
and developing data on various characteristics of persons with 
disabilities. These supplemental questions are included with the core 
and are referred to as ``topical modules.''
    The topical modules for the 1996 Panel Wave 4 are the following: 
(1) Annual Income and Retirement Accounts; (2) Taxes; (3) Work 
Schedule; (4) Child Care; and (5) Disability. Wave 4 interviews will be 
conducted from April 1997 through July 1997.

II. Method of Collection

    The SIPP is designed as a continuing series of national panels of 
interviewed households that are introduced every 4 years, with each 
panel having a duration of about 4 years in the survey. All household 
members 15 years old or older are interviewed using regular proxy-
respondent rules. They are interviewed a total of 12 times (12 waves) 
at 4-month intervals, making the SIPP a longitudinal survey. Sample 
persons (all household members present at the time of the first 
interview) who move within the country and reasonably close to a SIPP 
Primary Sampling Unit (PSU) will be followed and interviewed at their 
new address. Persons 15 years old or older who enter the household 
after Wave 1 will be interviewed; however, if these persons move, they 
are not followed unless they happen to move along with a Wave 1 sample 
person.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0813.
    Form Number: SIPP-16003 Reminder Card; SIPP/CAPI Automated 
Instrument.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 77,700.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes per person.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 117,800.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $28,000,000.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Section 182.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 29, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-22588 Filed 9-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P