[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 203 (Friday, October 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53200-53201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26466]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Form FNS-135, Affidavit of Return or Exchange of Food 
Coupons

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 a proposed revision of a currently approved information collection 
contained in form FNS-135, Affidavit of Return or Exchange of Food 
Coupons.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 18, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this information 
collection to: Jeffrey N. Cohen, Branch Chief, Electronic Benefit 
Transfer Branch, Benefit Redemption Division, Food and Nutrition 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 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 responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey N. Cohen, (703) 305-2523.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Affidavit of Return or Exchange of Food Coupons.
    OMB Number: 0584-0052.
    Form Number: FNS-135.
    Expiration Date: 11/30/2001.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Section 7(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, 
(7

[[Page 53201]]

U.S.C.2016(d)) requires that State agencies determine and monitor food 
stamp coupon inventories. The Food Stamp Program regulations at 7 CFR 
274.6(f) require that State agencies replace improperly manufactured or 
mutilated coupons after the recipient requesting replacement completes 
an FNS-135, Affidavit of Return or Exchange of Food Coupons. The form 
must also be used when coupons are returned for other reasons such as 
the return of found coupons. The forms document the return of coupons 
and provides an audit trail for their processing within State agency 
offices. The proposed revision reflects the fact that the expected 
number of respondents should be less than in previous years because the 
number of food stamp coupons has declined over the past several years 
with the implementation of electronic benefit delivery systems.
    Affected Public: State and local government employees and 
recipients.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated Time per Response: .25 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 7,500 hours annually.

    Dated; October 10, 2001.
George A. Braley,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-26466 Filed 10-18-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P