[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38515-38516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18961]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Consumer Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Form FCS-135, Affidavit of Return or Exchange of Food 
Coupons

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 that the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) review and approve the agency's proposal to 
continue requiring the use of Form FCS-135, Affidavit of Return or 
Exchange of Food Coupons, for another three years. Section 4(c) of the 
Food Stamp Act of 1977 (the Act) provides that the Secretary issue 
regulations deemed necessary or appropriate for the effective and 
efficient administration of the Food Stamp Program (FSP). Requirements 
in section 7 of the Act authorize the Secretary to prescribe procedures 
for food stamp benefit issuance, use, and accountability. Section 13 of 
the Act authorizes the Secretary to delegate to the State agencies the 
responsibility for establishment and collection of overissuance claims 
against households.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 16, 
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

[[Page 38516]]

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Affidavit of Returned or Exchange of Food Coupons.
    OMB Number: 0584-0052.
    Form Number: FCS-135.
    Expiration Date: 11/30/97.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Pursuant to the Act, Part 274.6(f) of the FSP regulations 
provides that delivered Authorization To Participate (ATP) cards and 
food stamp coupons that are improperly manufactured or partially 
mutilated may be returned for replacement. If identifiable, such 
returned ATP cards and food stamp coupons shall be exchanged. Loose or 
intact books of food stamp coupons may be returned by participants and 
other individuals for a variety of circumstances: Because the coupons 
were found; death of a participant; overissuance; termination of 
participation; payment of a claim; etc. Part 273.18(j) of the FSP 
regulations provides that if coupon books collected from households as 
payment for claims are returned intact and in usable form, the coupon 
books may be returned to inventory. Coupon return activity, who made 
the return and the amount, why, and the exchange of coupons, if 
appropriate, are documented on Form FCS-135, Affidavit of Return or 
Exchange of Food Coupons. A copy of the completed form is retained by 
the servicing office, a copy is provided as a receipt for the returned 
and exchanged coupons, and a copy is used to transmit unusable food 
stamp coupons to the destruction point.
    Affected Public: State and local governments, individuals and FSP 
participants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,861.
    Number of Responses Per Respondent: 7.26.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 11,642.

    July 10, 1997.
William E. Ludwig,
Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
[FR Doc. 97-18961 Filed 7-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P