[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 199 (Friday, October 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 53347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26136]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 199 / Friday, October 11, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 53347]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Consumer Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Form FCS-209, Status of Claims Against Households

AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on proposed information collections. Requirements in sections 5, 11, 
and 13 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (the Act) are the basis for the 
information collected on Form FCS-209, Status of Claims Against 
Households. The Act requires that State agencies submit reports and 
other information which the Secretary deems necessary to determine 
compliance with the Act and its implementing regulations. The Act 
provides that when coupons are overissued to households due to 
Inadvertent Household Error (IHE), Intentional Program Violation (IPV) 
or Administrative Error, State agencies are required to determine the 
amount of overissuances and establish claims against the households to 
collect the overissued amounts. The Act authorizes the Secretary to 
settle and adjust established claims by compromise or denial of all or 
part of any such claim arising under the Act or regulations issued 
pursuant to the Act.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 10, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: 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 has practical utility; 
(b) 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; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the 
burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, 
including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to: James I. Porter, Assistant Branch 
Chief, State Administration Branch, Food Stamp Program, Food and 
Consumer Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Requests for additional information or copies 
of the information collection form and instructions should be directed 
to James Porter, (703) 305-2385.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Status of Claims Against Households.
    OMB Number: 0584-0069.
    Form Number: FCS-209.
    Expiration Date: 9/30/96.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of this previously 
approved collection of information.
    Abstract: 7 CFR 273.18(i) of the Food Stamp Program regulations 
requires that State agencies submit quarterly Form FCS-209, Status of 
Claims Against Households, reports. The required information provided 
on this report must be obtained from an accountable system of 
established claims, repayment demand letters, satisfied and compromised 
claim amounts, and outstanding claims. The regulations make a 
distinction between nonfraud claims caused by State agency 
miscalculation or error and those caused by inadvertent household 
error. The fraud category of Form FCS-209 includes those cases in which 
the household committed intentional misrepresentation in order to 
obtain benefits. States may retain a percentage of fraud and 
intentional misrepresentation collections as an incentive to pursue 
action on those cases. In addition, States may also retain a percentage 
of collections in regard to inadvertent household error. The FCS-209 
accommodates the reporting of amounts collected, calculation of amounts 
to be retained by the State and calculation of amounts due the Federal 
Government through an offset against the State's administrative funds 
as a method of payment.
    Affected Public: State governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 53.
    Estimated Time per Response: 3.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 742 hours.

    Dated: October 4, 1996.
William E. Ludwig,
Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
[FR Doc. 96-26136 Filed 10-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-U