[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 89 (Monday, May 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 26563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11416]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Food Stamp Program Identification Card Requirements

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 notice announces the intent 
of the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to continue requiring State 
agencies to issue a Food Stamp Program (FSP) identification (ID) card 
to each certified household in the Food Stamp Program.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 7, 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, Virginia, 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: Food Stamp Program Identification Card Requirements.
    OMB Number: 0584-0124.
    Form Number: None.
    Expiration Date: October 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection with 
a reduction in burden hours.
    Abstract: FSP ID cards are used during recertification and for the 
issuance of benefits. Specifically, the ID cards will be used by:
     Issuance agents to identify households for monthly 
issuance;
     Retailers to identify household when benefits are used; 
and
     Households to provide as proof of eligibility and when 
being issued monthly allotments.
    The issuance of FSP ID cards by State agencies is authorized by 
section 7 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (the Act) (7 U.S.C. 2016). 
Section 11 of the Act (7 U.S.C. 2020) further specifies that these are 
to be photographic (photo) ID cards in both large project areas and in 
those areas identified by the Department as needing photo ID cards to 
reduce the number of unauthorized issuances.
    FSP regulations at 7 CFR 274. 10(a) require that State agencies 
issue a FSP ID card to each household certified to participate in the 
FSP. The household must present its ID card as proof of eligibility to 
receive and use benefits. In addition, 7 CFR 274.10(b) requires State 
agencies to issue photo ID cards in project areas or portions thereof 
with more than 100,000 participants, and in smaller areas that have 
been identified by the Department's Inspector General as needing photo 
IDs to decrease the number of unauthorized issuances. Project areas 
where all issuance of benefits are through either direct mail or an 
electronic benefit transfer system (EBT) are exempt from the photo ID 
requirement.
    FSP regulations require that the photo ID card be a controlled 
document with a serial number protected by lamination. The fact that it 
is a controlled document with a serial number ensures integrity in the 
issuance of new cards. Because the issuance agent is required by 7 CFR 
274.10(c)(2)(i) to annotate this serial number on the authorization or 
issuance document, the State agency can identify the household that 
received a particular issuance during the reconciliation process. In 
addition, the photograph is required because it clearly identifies the 
bearer of the card to the issuance agent or retailer. Lastly, the 
lamination of the photo ID makes it more difficult to forge or alter 
the card. The Department believes that all of these features are 
essential to ensure the integrity of the FSP ID process and the FSP in 
general.

Estimated Burden

    We are reducing the estimated burden from 61,480 hours to 20,629 
hours to reflect declining FSP participation as well as the growing 
number of States currently using EBT to issue benefits. Total issuance 
has decreased over 19 percent from fiscal year 1997 to fiscal year 
1999. As a result, fewer ID cards (both regular and photo) need to be 
issued. In addition, the growth of EBT also lowers the burden by 
reducing the number of photo ID cards. Photo ID cards are not required 
in an EBT environment since there are no coupons for households to pick 
up from issuance agents. EBT has increased from 15 percent of total 
issuance in fiscal year 1996 to about 71 percent of total issuance in 
January 2000.
    Affected Public: State and local government, and food stamp 
households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 338,535.
    Number of Responses per Respondent: 12.
    Total Number of Annual Responses: 4,062,420.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.005 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 20,629 hours.

    Dated: April 28, 2000.
Samuel Chambers, Jr.,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 00-11416 Filed 5-5-00; 8:45 am]
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