[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 31, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30922-30923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10741]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 24, 2005.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) Whether the 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 burden 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 through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Food Stamp Redemption Certificate.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0085.
    Summary of Collection: The Food Stamp Act of 1977, requires the 
Department of Agriculture to issue regulations that provide for the 
redemption of coupons accepted by retail food stores through approved 
wholesale food concerns or through insured financial institutions. The 
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will provide authorized retail stores 
and wholesale food concerns with redemption certificates. The 
Redemption Certificate and Wholesaler Redemption Certificate (RCs) are 
used by all authorized wholesalers or retailers when depositing food 
stamp coupons, and are processed by financial institutions when they 
are presented for credit or for cash. The issuance of food stamp 
benefits through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system is 
replacing the issuance of food coupons.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Food and Nutrition Service 
(FNS) will collect information on the verification of the amount of 
coupons forwarded to the bank for redemption. RCs are distributed to 
each authorized retailer or wholesaler by FNS for completion. FNS uses 
the deposit information from the RC to monitor (1) deposits by retailer 
and wholesale food concerns, and (2) for store monitoring and 
compliance purposes.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 9,503.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

[[Page 30923]]

    Total Burden Hours: 70.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Food Stamp Program Pre-Screening Tool.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0519.
    Summary of Collection: Consistent with Section 5 of the Food Stamp 
Act of 1977, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has initiated this 
program to enable potential Food Stamp Program applicants to assess 
their eligibility and the order of magnitude of the potential benefit 
they may qualify for. This Pre-Screening Tool also enables citizen 
advocacy groups to help constituents assess their benefit eligibility. 
This will also help the Food Stamp Program fulfill its role as a means-
tested program in accordance with Section 5 of the Food Stamp Act and 
Part 273 of the Food Stamp Program regulations.
    Need and Use of the Information: This Food Stamp Program Pre-
Screening Tool will be accessible to the public as an online Web-based 
system. The user will be prompted to enter household size, income, 
expenses and resource information, and the tool will calculate and 
provide the user with an estimated range of benefits that the household 
may be eligible to receive. This information will help FNS determine 
the degree and type of system usage as well as potential areas for 
further study. The survey component will help FNS to determine the 
degree of usage, the need for modifying the tool and potential areas of 
further study.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; State, 
local, or tribal government; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 264,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 48,183.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-10741 Filed 5-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P