[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62164-62165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29864]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 16, 1999 / 
Notices

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 9, 1999.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the 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 burden 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 through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, D.C. 20503 and to 
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, 
D.C. 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of 
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by 
calling (202) 720-6746.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Food Stamp Application Process.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0064.
    Summary of Collection: The Food Stamp Act of 1977 (the Act) 
establishes a program whereby needy households may apply for and 
receive food stamp benefits. It specifies national eligibility 
standards and imposes certain administrative requirements on State 
agencies in administering the program. Information must be collected 
from households to assure that they are eligible for the program and 
that they receive the correct amount of food stamp benefits. 
Information collected is limited to that necessary for the 
administration and enforcement of the Food Stamp Program. The Act 
requires an adult representative to sign a statement, under penalty of 
perjury, that the information provided on the application is true and 
correct to the best of his/her knowledge, including information 
regarding the citizenship or alien status of each member. The Food and 
Nutrition Service (FNS) will use an application to collect information.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information to 
determine the eligibility of households for the Food Stamp Program and 
to determine the correct benefit levels for eligible households. The 
social security number will be used to check the identity of household 
members, to prevent duplicate participation, to make mass food stamp 
changes, and to verify information. If information is not collected to 
certify households in accordance with the Act or changing the frequency 
of information or reporting requirements as they relate to the 
application, certification, and continued eligibility of households 
would result in a direct violation of the Act. Further, benefits could 
be over issued or under issued for a long period of time if necessary 
information is not collected or actions are not taken timely.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 18,071,800.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: On occasion; 
Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 16,275,901.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Worksheet for Food Stamp Program Quality Control Reviews, 
FNS-380.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0074.
    Summary of Collection: State agencies are required to perform 
Quality Control reviews for the Food Stamp Program. Section 16 of the 
Food Stamp Act of 1977 provides the legislative basis for the operation 
of the Food Stamp quality control system. Section 11(a) of the Food 
Stamp Act of 1977 provides the legislative basis for the recordkeeping 
requirements. The Food Stamp worksheet provides a systematic means of 
aiding the State agency's quality control reviewer in analyzing the 
household case record; planning and carrying out the field 
investigation; and gathering, comparing, analyzing and evaluating the 
review data. The Face Sheet of the form is used to record identifying 
information about the household and indicate the review findings. The 
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will collect information using Form 
FNS-380, Worksheet for Food Stamp Program Quality Control Review.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information to 
document and evaluate each step of the field investigation to determine 
eligibility and payment amounts under FNS approved State agency 
practices.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; 
Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 53.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: On occasion; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 503,914.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Annual Report NET Program 7 CFR Part 227.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0062.
    Summary of Collection: Section 19(g)(2) of the Child Nutrition Act 
of 1966, as amended, requires that ``State Educational agencies shall 
provide reports on expenditures of Federal funds, program 
participation, program cost, and related matters, in such form and at 
such times as the Secretary may prescribe.'' Section 227.30(f)(3) of 
the Nutrition Education and Training (NET) program regulations further 
require State agencies to submit to the Food and

[[Page 62165]]

Nutrition Service (FNS) an annual performance report of expenditures of 
funds received under this program. FNS will collect information using 
form FNS-42, Annual Report of the Nutrition and Education Training 
Program.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information to 
monitor and analyze the use of funds in accordance with the legislative 
mandate. If the information is not collected, FNS would be unable to 
respond to Congressional and public inquiries about use of funds in 
each fiscal year of program operation.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 56.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 896.
Nancy B. Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-29864 Filed 11-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M