[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 237 (Monday, December 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73477-73478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23910]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Proposed Projects

    Title: TANF Time Limits Interview Guides for Site Visits.
    OMB No.: New Collection.
    Description: The imposition of federally imposed time limits on the 
receipt of cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance to Needy 
Families (TANF) program was a central part of welfare reform. The Task 
Order on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Separate State 
Programs, Time Limits and Participation Requirements seeks to 
understand how states have implemented TANF time limits and what 
effects they have had on families receiving TANF. It provides an update 
to a previous TANF time limits study now that most states now have had 
several years of experience with the 60-month time limit under varying 
economic conditions. The project draws on qualitative research 
conducted through eight site visits as well as quantitative reserach 
using state administrative records.
    The site visits will include interviews with state TANF 
administrators, local TANF office managers, and TANF caseworkers. The 
interviews will be used to understand what decisions state 
administrators made in designing time limit policies and how local 
managers and line workers implement these decisions on a daily basis. 
The interview guides will focus on the following topics: The basic time 
limit policies in each state, how information is communicated to 
families reaching time limits, what the process is for cases 
approaching time limits, under what circumstances families can continue 
to receive TANF benefits beyond the time limits, and whether there is 
any follow-up with families that have reached time limits.
    The quantitative research will draw on administrative records that 
states routinely report to ACF. However, in some cases, it may be 
necessary to conduct follow-up calls to state TANF officials to ask 
questions about the data. In addition, in states that only report data 
on subs samples of TANF families to ACF, it may be necessary to request 
additional information that is maintained in reports that states 
produce for their own internal management purposes.
    Respondents: The respondents for the site visits will include state 
TANF administrators, local TANF office administrators, and caseworkers 
in eight states. An average of two local welfare offices will be 
visited in each state. The states will be selected based on the 
following criteria: (1) States with large TANF caseloads; (2) states 
with smaller TANF caseloads where a substantial number of families have 
reached time limits; and (3) states that make extensive use of 
segregated funds or separate state programs. In addition, the study 
will focus on states where little prior research has been conducted.
    The respondents for the questions on administrative records will 
include state TANF officials who are knowledgeable about administrative 
data. It is estimated that calls will be made to 25 states.
    The annual burden estimates are detailed below, and the substantive 
content of each survey will be detailed in the supporting statement 
attached to the forthcoming 30-day notice.

                                             Annual Burden Estimates
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                                                    Number of
           Instrument               Number of    responses  per     Average burden hours  per      Total burden
                                   respondents     respondent                response                  hours
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Interview guide for state                     8               1  90 minutes or 1.5 hrs..........              12
 administrators.
Interview guide for local                    16               1  60 minutes or 1 hr.............              16
 office managers.
Interview guide for case                     64               1  60 minutes or 1 hr.............              64
 workers.
Questions on state                           25               1  60 minutes or 1 hour...........              25
 administrative data.
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[[Page 73478]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 117.
    In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and 
Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the 
information collection described above. Copies of the proposed 
collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded 
by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of 
Administration, Office of Information Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, 
SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. E-mail 
address: [email protected]. All requests should be identified 
by the title of the information collection.
    The Department specifically requests comments on: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection 
of information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 
Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted 
within 60 days of this publication.

    Dated: December 5, 2005.
Robert Sargis,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-23910 Filed 12-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M