[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5496-5497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2605]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Consumer Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request-Determining Eligibility for Free School Meals and Milk 
of Children From Households Certified for Temporary Assistance for 
Needy Families

AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Food and Consumer Service (FCS) announces its intention to request 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review and approval of a revision 
in the information collections related to making eligibility 
determinations for free and reduced price meals and free milk in 
schools. The revision is the result of a statutory change extending 
automatic eligibility for free meals and free milk to children from 
families under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs.

DATES: To be assured of consideration, comments must be received by 
April 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this information 
collection to: Mr. Terry Hallberg, Chief, Program Analysis and 
Monitoring Branch, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Consumer Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1008, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
    Comments are invited on the following areas: (a) whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have 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; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    All responses to this Notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval, and will become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Terry Hallberg at (703) 305-2600.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: 7 CFR Part 245, Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced 
Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools.
    OMB Number: 0584-0026.
    Expiration Date: 12/31/99.
    Type of Request: Revision of existing collection.
    Abstract: Section 109(g)(1)(B)(i)(I) of the Personal Responsibility 
and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 amended Section 
9(b)(6)(A)(ii) of the National School Lunch Act to extend automatic 
eligibility for free meals and free milk to children from families 
under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, under 
part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, provided the TANF 
standards are comparable to or more restrictive than the State's Aid to 
Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program standards in effect on 
June 1, 1995. Information is needed to meet the statutory requirement 
that the Secretary ensure that TANF is comparable to or more 
restrictive than the AFDC program in effect on June 1, 1995, in order 
for the State to implement automatic eligibility or direct 
certification procedures for children from TANF households. Because 
States have latitude in the way they administer TANF, the Secretary is 
asking States agencies, in cooperation with the agency in each State 
administering TANF, to make the comparison and inform the Secretary of 
their determination. Thereafter, State agencies would only have to 
notify the Secretary when the TANF program in their State is no longer 
comparable to or is no longer more restrictive than the State's AFDC 
Program in effect on June 1, 1995.
    Estimate of Burden: A new reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated at 12 hours per respondent.
    Respondents: State agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 52 respondents (50 States, D.C. 
and Guam). Although several States have two State agencies that 
administer the School Nutrition Programs, only 1 response per State is 
requested.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 624 burden hours.


[[Page 5497]]


    Dated: January 21, 1998.
Yvette S. Jackson,
Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2605 Filed 2-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P