[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 33 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8403-8404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3132]



[[Page 8403]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity 
to comment on a proposed revision of an information collection. In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice seeks comments concerning the need to 
continue collecting information from individuals and States in order to 
provide and/or administer disaster assistance through the Federal 
Assistance to Individuals and Households Program (IHP).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 206(a) of the Disaster Mitigation 
Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) consolidated into one section of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the ``Temporary 
Housing Assistance'' and the ``Individual and Family Grant Programs'' 
into a single program called ``Federal Assistance to Individuals and 
Households'' (IHP). To implement this consolidation, intended to 
streamline the provision of assistance to disaster victims, FEMA 
published rule 44 CFR part 206 which became effective on September 30, 
2002. Under this rule applicants are able to request approval of late 
registrations, request continued assistance, and appeal program 
decisions. Similarly, States can partner with FEMA for delivery of 
disaster assistance under the ``Other Needs'' provision of the IHP 
through Administrative Option Agreements and Administration Plans 
addressing the level of managerial and resource support necessary.

Collection of Information

    Title: Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households Program 
(IHP).
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0061.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Abstract: The Federal Assistance to Individual and Household 
Program (IHP) enhances applicants' ability to request approval of late 
applications, request continued assistance, and appeal program 
decisions. Similarly, it allows States to partner with FEMA for 
delivery of disaster assistance under the ``Other Needs'' provision of 
the IHP through Administrative Option Agreements and Administration 
Plans addressing the level of managerial and resource support 
necessary.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households; State, local or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 29,716 hours.

                                                                   Annual Burden Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Number of                                                                Annual        Total annual
Project/activity (survey, form(s), focus group,    respondents      Frequency of    Burden hours per  respondent  (C)      responses       burden hours
                     etc.)                             (A)         responses  (B)                                            (AxB)           (AxBxC)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individuals:
    Request for Approval of Late Registration..            8,000                1  .75 hr.............................            8,000            6,000
                                                                                   (45 min)...........................
    Request for Continued Assistance...........            2,000                1  .50 hr.............................            2,000            1,000
                                                                                   (30 min)...........................
    Appeal of Program Decision (to include                30,000                1  .75 hr.............................           30,000           22,500
     review and use of supplemental guidance.                                      (45 min)...........................
States:
    Review of Administrative Option Agreement                 56                1  3.0 hrs............................               56              168
     for the Other Needs provision of IHP.
    Development of State Administrative Plan                  16                1  3.0 hrs............................               16               48
     for the Other Needs provision of IHP.
                                                ------------------
    Total......................................           40,072                1  40,072.............................  ...............           29,716
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Cost: $173,354.00
    Comments: Written comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether 
the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) evaluate 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) enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(d) 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, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses. Comments should be received within 60 days of 
the date of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel 
B. Anderson, Chief, Records Management Section, Information Resources 
Management Branch, Information Technology Services Division, Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and Response 
Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 500 C Street, SW., Room 
316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Berl Jones, Chief, Individual 
Assistance Program Management Section at (202) 646-3943 for additional 
information. You may contact Ms. Anderson for copies of the proposed 
collection of information at facsimile number (202) 646-3347 or email 
address: [email protected].


[[Page 8404]]


    Dated: February 11, 2005.
George S. Trotter,
Acting Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, 
Information Technology Services Division.
[FR Doc. 05-3132 Filed 2-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-10-P