[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1586-1587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-587]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Form FNS-209, Status of Claims Against Households

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. Sections 11, 13, and 16 of the 
Food Stamp Act of 1977 (the Act) are the bases for the information 
collected on Form FNS-209, Status of Claims Against Households. Section 
11 of the Act requires that State agencies submit reports and other 
information that are necessary to determine compliance with the Act and 
its implementing regulations. Section 13 of the Act requires State 
agencies to establish claims and collect overpayments to households. 
Section 16 of the Act authorizes State agencies to retain a portion of 
what is collected. The FNS-209 is used as the mechanism for State 
agencies to report the claim establishment, collection and retention 
amounts.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 13, 2000 
to be assured consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Barbara Hallman, Chief, State 
Administration Branch, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park 
Center Drive, Alexandria, VA, 22302.
    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 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 comments will be summarized and included in the request for 
Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection. 
All comments will become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Wilusz, (703) 305-2391.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Status of Claims Against Households.
    OMB Number: 0584-0069.
    Form Number: FNS-209.
    Expiration Date: December 31, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection with 
no change in burden hours.
    Abstract: The Food Stamp Program regulations at 7 CFR 273.18 
require that State agencies establish, collect and efficiently manage 
food stamp recipient claims. Section 273.18(i) requires State agencies 
to submit at the end of every quarter the completed Form FNS-209, 
Status of Claims Against Households. The information required for the 
FNS-209 report is obtained from a State accounting system responsible 
for establishing claims, sending demand letters, collecting claims, and 
managing other claim activity. In general, State agencies must report 
the following information on the FNS-209: the current outstanding 
aggregate claim balance; claims established; collections; any balance 
and collection adjustments;

[[Page 1587]]

and the amount to be retained for collecting non-agency error claims. 
The burden associated with establishing claims (demand letters) and the 
Treasury Offset Program, both of which are also used to complete the 
FNS-209, are already approved under OMB burden numbers 0584-0492 and 
0584-0446 respectively.
    The estimated annual burden is 742 hours. This is the same as the 
currently approved burden. This estimate includes the time it takes 
each State agency to accumulate and tabulate the data necessary to 
complete the report four times per year.
    Affected Public: State governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 53.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 3.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 742 hours.

    Dated: January 3, 2000.
Samuel Chambers, Jr.,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 00-587 Filed 1-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-U