[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 50 (Friday, March 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12153-12154]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6519]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 50 / Friday, March 14, 1997 / 
Notices  

[[Page 12153]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Consumer Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Food Stamp Program Identification Card Requirements

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. This notice announces the Food and 
Consumer Service's (FCS) intention to request OMB review of the 
agency's proposal to continue requiring State agencies, in accordance 
with the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (the Act) and regulations issued 
pursuant to the Act, to issue a Food Stamp Program (FSP) identification 
card to each household certified eligible to receive and use food 
stamps.
    Section 7(a) of the Act requires that food stamp benefits be issued 
only to households which have been duly certified as eligible to 
participate in the Food Stamp Program. Further, under section 7(b) food 
stamp benefits issued to eligible households shall be used by them to 
purchase food in authorized retail food stores. Part 274.10(a) of the 
FSP regulations requires that an eligible household member or 
authorized representative show the household ID card as proof of 
household identity and eligibility to receive food stamp benefits. Part 
278.2(h) of the FSP regulations provides that if a food retailer has 
cause to believe that a person presenting food stamps has no right to 
use the food stamps, the food retailer should request the person to 
show the food stamp ID card of the household to establish the right of 
that person to use the food stamps. Part 278.2(i) of the FSP 
regulations provides that an authorized meal delivery service require 
the recipient of a delivered meal to show the specially marked food 
stamp ID card establishing the recipient's right to use food stamps for 
the service the first time food stamps are offered as payment. 
Thereafter, the delivery service may request that the specially marked 
food stamp ID card be shown at any time the delivery service has cause 
to question the continued eligibility of the person to use food stamps 
for delivered meals.
    Section 11(e) paragraphs (15) and (19) of the Act and Part 
274.10(b) of the regulations require State agencies to issue 
photographic identification cards (photo ID cards) in project areas or 
portions thereof with more than 100,000 participants, and in those 
project areas with less than 100,000 participants that have been 
identified by the Department's Inspector General as needing photo ID 
cards, to reduce the number of unauthorized issuances of benefits. 
Neither the Act or FSP regulations require issuance and use of Photo ID 
cards in project areas where all issuances of benefits are delivered by 
direct mail or an electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system. State 
agencies may request voluntary use of photo ID cards in any project 
area with less than 100,000 participants and not required to use photo 
ID cards. However, State agencies are rapidly implementing EBT systems 
project area by project area and in groups of project areas. This 
effort is continuing to reduce the use of photo ID cards.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 13, 1997.

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 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will also become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
regarding this information collection should be directed to James 
Porter, (703) 305-2385.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Food Stamp Program Identification Card Requirements.
    OMB Number: 0584-0124.
    Form Number: None.
    Expiration Date: 4/30/97.
    Type of Request: Extension of the expiration date of a currently 
approved information collection without any change in the substance or 
in the method of collection.
    Abstract: The FSP regulations require that photo ID cards be 
controlled documents by the use of serial numbers. State agencies are 
required to include on all ID cards, the name of the household member 
who is authorized to receive the household's issuance, a photograph of 
the household member, other appropriate information, and laminate the 
photo ID card at the time of household certification to participate. 
Also, blank serial numbered photo ID cards must be maintained in secure 
storage. Households are required to present their photo ID cards to 
receive benefits and the issuance agents are required to annotate the 
card serial number on the authorization to participate documents. In 
addition, households may be required to present their cards for 
identity when food stamps are presented to an authorized food retailer 
or meal service to purchase food.
    Affected Public: State and local governments, and food stamps 
households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 9,195,545.
    Number of Responses Per Respondent: 25.590.

[[Page 12154]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,012,998.

    Dated: March 4, 1997.
William E. Ludwig,
Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
[FR Doc. 97-6519 Filed 3-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-M