[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 49 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12027-12028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6056]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Economic Research Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information

AGENCY: Economic Research Service, USDA.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub L. 
104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR 
Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
Economic Research Service's (ERS) intention to request approval for a 
new information collection from the U.S. population. The study will 
collect information from Food Stamp Program (FSP) participants that 
reside in one of six demonstration sites.

DATES: Written comments must be received by May 19, 2003 to be assured 
of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Requests for additional information regarding this notice 
should be directed to Elizabeth Dagata, Rural Economy Branch, Food and 
Rural Economics Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1800 M St. NW., Washington, DC 20036-5831. Submit 
electronic comments to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Evaluation of Three Models Designed to Increase 
Participation of Eligible Elderly in the Food Stamp Program.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Expiration Date: Two years from date of issuance.
    Type of Request: Approval to collect information from elderly 
individuals who receive food stamps and who reside in one of the 
Elderly Nutrition Demonstration pilot sites.
    Abstract: USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) has the 
responsibility to provide social and economic intelligence on consumer, 
food marketing, and rural issues, including food security status of the 
poor; domestic food assistance programs; low-income assistance 
programs; economic food consumption determinations and trends; consumer 
demand for food quality, safety, and nutrition; food market competition 
and coordination; and food safety regulation. In carrying out this 
overall mission, ERS seeks approval of information gathering activities 
that will provide key information about the impact of the Food Stamp 
Program's (FSP) Elderly Nutrition Demonstration pilots.
    Six states (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Michigan, and 
North Carolina) are implementing separate Elderly Nutrition 
Demonstration pilots, with each State's pilot based on one of three 
demonstration models: (1) A commodities alternative benefit model, in 
which elderly FSP participants can elect to receive a package of 
commodities each month in lieu of traditional FSP benefits; (2) a 
simplified eligibility model, in which the FSP eligibility rules for 
elderly applicants are streamlined; or (3) an application assistance 
model, in which demonstration staff assist elderly FSP applicants with 
completing the food stamp application. Two states (Connecticut and 
North Carolina) are implementing a commodities alternative benefit 
model; one state (Florida) is implementing a simplified eligibility 
model; and three states (Arizona, Maine and Michigan) are implementing 
an application assistance model. USDA is operating these pilot projects 
to explore which demonstration models lead to increased participation 
among elderly individuals in the Food Stamp Program and why.
    Working with ERS, a contractor will be evaluating the six 
demonstration models. Participation data obtained through 
administrative case records will be used to estimate the impact of the 
demonstrations on the number of elderly participants in the Food Stamp 
Program. To identify reasons why elderly individuals may be more likely 
to participate under the demonstrations, the contractor will contact 
elderly Food Stamp Program participants directly.
    In the two states that are implementing the commodities alternative 
benefit demonstration model (Connecticut and North Carolina), a sample 
of elderly food stamp participants will be surveyed. The survey will 
query respondents as to whether or not they chose to participate in the 
commodity alternative benefit demonstration, the reason for that 
choice, and, if they are receiving the commodity alternative benefit, 
what they like and dislike about it. A different sample of respondents 
will be identified every quarter, and interviews will occur between 
three and seven quarters. A small sub-sample of respondents will be 
contacted a second time to acquire more detailed information about 
their experience with the demonstration.
    In addition to the survey conducted in the two commodities 
demonstration sites, focus groups will be conducted in the one state 
implementing the simplified eligibility demonstration model (Florida) 
and in the three states implementing the application assistance 
demonstration model (Arizona, Maine and Michigan). There will be two 
focus groups per state, with each focus group including 10 elderly FSP 
participants. These focus groups will be used to determine what aspects 
of each demonstration were beneficial to the clients.
    Affected Public: Elderly FSP participants residing in the 
demonstration sites.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: A combined total of 167 
individuals in the two commodities alternative benefit demonstration 
sites will be interviewed per quarter, and interviews will be conducted 
for three to seven quarters. The maximum number of interviews conducted 
is 1,169 (= 167 respondents x 7 quarters). In the remaining four

[[Page 12028]]

demonstration sites, a combined total of 80 individuals will 
participate in focus groups (10 participants per focus group x 2 focus 
groups x 4 states).
    Number of Responses per Respondent: Of the individuals 
participating in the initial interview, a total of 36 individuals will 
respond twice (once to the initial interview and once to the follow-up 
interview). The remaining individuals (up to 1,133) will respond only 
once. The 80 individuals participating in the focus groups will respond 
once.
    Estimated Total Responses: Maximum total number of responses: 1,285 
(= 1,169 initial commodities interviews + 36 follow up interviews + 80 
focus group participants).
    Hours per Response: Initial commodities alternative benefit 
interview: 20 minutes per respondent; follow-up commodities alternative 
benefit interview: 20 minutes per respondent; focus group: 1 hour 15 
minutes per respondent.
    Total Reporting Hours: Maximum total reporting hours: 498 hours (= 
1,169 initial commodities interviews * 0.33 hours + 36 follow up 
interviews * 0.33 hours + 80 focus group participants * 1.25 hours).
    Comments: 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 has 
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 are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments should be sent to the 
address stated in the preamble. All responses to this notice will be 
summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will also become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: February 25, 2003.
Susan Offut,
Administrator, Economic Research Service, USDA.
[FR Doc. 03-6056 Filed 3-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P