[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1585-1586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-551]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Food Stamp Program: Agency Information Collection Activities: 
Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Disaster Food Stamp Assistance

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition 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 information collection is 
based on the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act and Section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as 
amended, which provide the Secretary of Agriculture with the authority 
to develop an emergency food stamp program to address the needs of 
families temporarily in need of food assistance after a disaster. The 
information collection under this notice is required for the 
establishment and operation of emergency food stamp assistance 
programs.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 13, 2000.

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 shall 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; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
respond, including through the use of appropriate

[[Page 1586]]

automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be 
sent to Margaret Batko, Assistant Branch Chief, Certification Policy 
Branch, Program Development Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 
22302. Comments may also be faxed to the attention of Ms. Batko at 
(703) 305-2486. The internet address is: [email protected]. 
All written comments will be open for public inspection at the office 
of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours (8:30 
a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22302, Room 720.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will be a matter of public 
record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Ms. Batko at (703) 305-2516.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Emergency Food Stamp Assistance for Victims of Disasters.
    OMB Number: 0584-0336.
    Form Number: Not a form.
    Expiration Date: 1/31/2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act and Section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 
1977, as amended, the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to 
develop an emergency food stamp program to address the temporary food 
needs of families following a disaster. The information collection 
under this notice is required to be provided by households in order to 
determine eligibility for emergency food stamp benefits as the result 
of a disaster.
    The number of disasters that occur annually and the average number 
of households affected by disasters cannot be accurately predicted. In 
reviewing the number of disasters for the last four fiscal years, we 
found that although the number of disasters remained relatively 
constant, most disasters covered small geographic areas and affected 
small populations resulting in a decreased reporting burden. In 1996, 
there were six disasters with the number of disaster-affected 
households ranging from 143 to 186,488. In 1997 there were six 
disasters and the number of disaster-affected households ranged from 
108 to 2,361. In 1998, there were eight disasters and the number of 
disaster-affected households ranged from 15 to 4,254. In 1999, there 
were three disasters, and the number of disaster-affected households 
ranged from 495 to 2,610. Based on this data we calculated an estimated 
burden of 26,401 hours. We wish to emphasize that although this 
estimate of burden hours represents a significant decline from our 
prior estimate of 48,114 hours, the number and magnitude of disasters 
cannot be accurately estimated, and that although the annual number of 
affected households (respondents) averaged 63,362 per year over the 
last four years, in 1992 and 1994, there were single disasters with 
206,735 and 242,834 applicant households, respectively. We anticipate 
that disasters of this magnitude will occur in the future.
    Affected Public: Food Stamp recipients; State and local 
governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 63,362.
    Estimated Time per Response: 25 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 26,401 hours.

    Dated: November 23, 1999.
George A. Braley,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 00-551 Filed 1-10-00; 8:45 am]
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