[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17355-17356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9416]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Food Stamp Program Form FCS-278-B, Food Stamp 
Redemption Certificate and Form FCS-278-4, Wholesaler Redemption 
Certificate

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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 collection. The Food Stamp Act of 1977 requires 
that FNS will provide all authorized retail food stores and wholesale 
food concerns with redemption certificates. The redemption certificates 
are to be used by retailers and wholesale firms to present food coupons 
to insured financial institutions for credit or for cash. Requirements 
in the Food Stamp Regulations are the basis for the information 
collected on Form FCS-278B, Food Stamp Redemption Certificate and Form 
FCS-287-4, Wholesaler Redemption Certificate.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 8, 1998.

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: Suzanne M. Fecteau, Chief, 
Redemption Management Branch, Food Stamp Program, Food and Nutrition 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22302-1594. All responses to this notice will be 
summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments 
will also become matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information 
collection form and instructions should be directed to Suzanne M. 
Fecteau, (703) 305-2418.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Food Stamp Redemption Certificate.
    OMB Number: 0584-0085.
    Expiration Date: 09/30/98.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection for 
which approval expires on September 30, 1998.
    Abstract: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, formerly known as the Food and Consumer 
Service (FCS), is the Federal Agency responsible for the Food Stamp 
Program. Section 10 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, (the 
Act) (7 U.S.C. 2019), requires that FNS provide for the redemption 
through financial institutions, of food coupons accepted by approved 
retail food stores and wholesale food concerns from program 
participants. Sections 278.3 and 278.4 of the Food Stamp Program 
regulations govern the participation of authorized wholesale food 
concerns and retail stores in the food coupon redemption process. Form 
FCS-278B, Food Stamp Redemption Certificate and Form FCS-278-4, 
Wholesaler Redemption Certificate (RCs) are required to be used by all 
authorized wholesalers or retailers, and are processed by financial 
institutions when they are represented for credit or for cash. Without 
the RCs, no vehicle would exist for financial institutions, Federal 
Reserve Banks, and the FNS to track deposits of food coupons.
    The burden associated with this form is derived from the number of 
RCs processed annually, based on information available in our STARS 
(Store Tracking Redemption System) database. As of December 1997, the 
number of program respondents was 184,300 retailers and wholesalers and 
5,850 banks participating in the Food Stamp Program. The number of 
completed RC responses by authorized retailers was 20,750,000 annually, 
with total annual burden hours calculated to be 415,000 hours. We 
estimate that it takes an average of 1.2 minutes (or .020 hours) for a 
retailer to complete the information on the RC and for the financial 
institution to handle and process the document. In fiscal year 1999, we 
estimate that the number of program respondents will be 176,928 
respondents with 5,850 banks continuing to participate in the Food 
Stamp Program--a reduction of 7,372 (or 4 percent) respondents. We also

[[Page 17356]]

estimate that the number of completed RC responses by authorized 
retailers to be 19,297,500 annually--providing for a reduction of 
1,452,500 (or seven percent) annual responses, and a total annual 
burden hours calculated to be 385,950 hours. The estimated reduction of 
respondents and annual burden hours is based on a projected decrease in 
the number of authorized retailers participating in the Food Stamp 
Program, and a decrease in the number of RCs processed as a result of 
fewer authorized retailers accepting paper food coupons due to the 
increased use of the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system.
    As a result of the Agency name change, the forms will be changed to 
reflect the new Agency name when our inventory records indicate that 
stock on hand is low and needs replenishment.
    Affected Public: Businesses, wholesale food concerns, or other-not-
for-profit financial institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 176,928.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 109.06979.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 19,297,500.
    Estimate of Burden: Estimated to average .020 hours per response.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 385,950 hours.

    Dated: March 26, 1998.
Yvette S. Jackson,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9416 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-M