[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 124 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29475-29477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13574]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Repayment 
Demand and Program Disqualification

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 proposed information collections. This collection is a revision of 
currently approved information collection requirements associated with 
initiating collection actions against households who have received an 
overissuance in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 28, 2017 
to be assured consideration.

ADDRESSES: 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 shall 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 that were 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 use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to: Jane Duffield, Chief, State Administration 
Branch, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 822, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may 
also be submitted via email to [email protected], or through the 
federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov, and 
follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically.
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Room 822, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Requests for additional information 
or copies of this information collection should be directed to Ralph 
Badette at 703-457-7717.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Repayment Demand 
and Program Disqualification.
    OMB Number: 0584-0492.
    Form Number: None.
    Expiration Date: August 31, 2017.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Section 13(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 2022(b)), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program (SNAP) regulations at 7 CFR 273.18 require State agencies to 
initiate collection action against households that have been overissued 
benefits. To initiate collection action, State agencies must provide an 
affected household with written notification informing the household of 
the claim and demanding repayment. This process is automated in most 
State agencies. Note that for overissuance claims, this information 
collection only covers the activities associated with initiating 
collection. The burden associated with reporting collections and other 
claims management information on the FNS-209 form is covered under 
currently approved under the Food Program Reporting System OMB number 
0584-0594, expiration date 6/30/2019. The burden associated with 
referring delinquent claims and receiving collections through the 
Treasury Offset Program is covered under currently approved OMB number 
0584-0446, expiration date 9/30/2019.
    SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.16(e)(3) require State agencies to 
investigate any case of suspected fraud and, where applicable, make an 
intentional Program violation (IPV) determination either 
administratively or judicially. Notifications and activities involved 
in the IPV process include:
     The State agency providing written notification informing 
an individual

[[Page 29476]]

suspected of committing an IPV of an impending administrative 
disqualification hearing or court action;
     An individual opting to accept the disqualification and 
waiving the right to an administrative disqualification hearing or 
court action by signing either a waiver to an administrative 
disqualification hearing or a disqualification consent agreement in 
cases of deferred adjudication and returning it to the State agency; 
and
     Once a determination is made regarding an IPV, the State 
agency sending notification to the affected individual of the action 
taken on the administrative disqualification hearing or court decision.
    SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.16 require State agencies to use 
disqualified recipient data to ascertain the correct penalty for IPVs, 
based on prior disqualifications. State agencies determine this by 
accessing and reviewing records located in the Electronic Disqualified 
Recipient System (eDRS). eDRS is an automated system developed by FNS 
that contains records of disqualifications in every State. State 
agencies are also responsible for updating the system, as required at 7 
CFR 237.16, which includes reporting disqualifications in eDRS as they 
occur and updating eDRS when records are no longer accurate, relevant, 
or complete.

Summary of Estimated Burden

    The burden consists of two major components: The initiation of 
overissuance collection and actions associated with IPV determinations. 
The estimated total annual burden for this collection is 203, 079.82 
hours (139,052.851 SA reporting hours + 32,372.096 SA recordkeeping 
hours + 31,654.835 household reporting hours). The net aggregate change 
to this collection is a decrease of 4,753.18 total burden hours from 
the currently approved burden of 207,833 hours. The estimated total 
annual responses for this collection is 3,046,653.32 responses 
(1,083,671.320 SA reporting total annual response + 971,260.00 SA 
recordkeeping total annual records + 991,722.00 household reporting 
total annual responses). The burden hours associated with overissuance 
collection initiation have increased due to an increase in the amount 
of claims established in fiscal year (FY) 2015. The burden hours 
associated with IPV activity have decreased slightly as a result of a 
decreased number of SNAP households that States initiated IPV activity 
against in FY2015.
    Affected Public: State, Local and Tribal government (SA); 
Individual/Households (I/H).
    Respondent Type: SNAP participants.

SA Reporting Burden

    Estimated Number of Respondents: 53.
    Estimate Total Number of Responses per Respondent: 38,772.289.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 2, 054,931.32.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.08342.
    Estimated Total Annual Reporting Burden: 203, 079.82.

Initiation of Overissuance Collection CFR 273.18 (a)(2)

    For activities related to initiating collection on an overissuance, 
the estimated annual burden for State agency reporting is decreased by 
4,406.557 hours (117,932.518-122,339.075 = 4,406.557).
    IPV Determinations CFR 273.16(i)(2)(i)
    The State agencies' annual reporting burden for activities related 
to IPV hearing and disqualification notices decreased by 679.513 hours 
(7,752.488-7,072.975 = 679.513), and activities associated with 
accessing and updating eDRS increased by 1251.95 hours (4,788.225-
3,536.275 = 1251.95).

SA Recordkeeping Burden

    Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: 53.
    Estimated Total Records per Recordkeeper: 16,688.98.
    Estimated Total Annual Records: 971,260.
    Estimated Average # of Hours per Response: 0.03333.
    Estimated Total Recordkeeping Hours: 32,372.096.

Initiation of Overissuance Collection CFR 272.1(f)

    For activities related to initiating collection on an overissuance, 
we are increasing the estimated annual burden for State agency 
recordkeeping by 6,550.414 hours (29,480.918-22,930.504 = 6,550.414).

IPV Determinations CFR 272.1(f)

    States' annual recordkeeping burden for the IPV related activities 
decreased by -504.52 burden hours (2,891.178-3,395.699 = -504.52).

I/H Reporting Burden

    Estimated Number of Respondents: 917,566.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.0.
    Total Number of Annual Responses: 991,722.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.03192.
    Estimated Total Annual Reporting Burden: 31,654.835.

Initiation of Overissuance Collection CFR 273.18(a)(2).

    For activities related to initiating collection on an overissuance, 
we are increasing the household reporting burden by 7,652 hours 
(29,480.918-22,930.504 = 6,550.414).

IPV Hearing Notices and Disqualifications CFR 273.16(e)(9)

    The household annual reporting burden for the activities related to 
IPV disqualifications has also decreased by -420 hours (707.281-836.297 
= -129.016).
    Grand Total Burden Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden: 203, 079.782 
and the total annual responses 3,046,653.320.

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                                                                                                                  Estimated
                                                                    Estimated                     Total annual   avg. number   Estimated                      Due to
                 Title                        CFR section of          number     Responses per      responses      of hours   total hours    Previously      program     Due to an      Total
                                                regulations        respondents     respondent     (Col. D x E)       per        (Col. F x     approved        change     adjustment   difference
                                                                                                                   response        G)
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                                                                                          STATE AGENCY
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                                                                                        Reporting Burden
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Demand Letter for Overissuance.........  273.18(a)(2)............           53        17,312.57     884,516.000      0.13333  117,932.518     122,339.075        0.000   -4,406.557   -4,406.557
Notice for Hearing or Prosecution......  273.16(e)(3)............           53           825.34      40,230.000      0.13333    5,363.866       5,832.540        0.000     -468.674     -468.674
Action Taken on Hearing or Court         273.16(e)(9)............           53           800.70      46,514.000      0.16667    7,752.488       7,072.975        0.000      679.513      679.513
 Decision: For IPV Findings.
Action Taken on Hearing or Court         273.16(e)(9)............           53            24.64       1,541.000      0.08333      128.412         108.829        0.000       19.583       19.583
 Decision: For No IPV Findings.
Electronic Disqualified Recipient        273.16(i)(2)(i).........           53           800.70      57,461.000      0.08333    4,788.225       3,536.275        0.000    1,251.950    1,251.950
 System Breakout: For eDRS Reporting.

[[Page 29477]]

 
Electronic Disqualified Recipient        272.1(f)(3).............           53            96.08       6,895.320      0.16667    1,149.243         848.684        0.000      300.559      300.559
 System Breakout: For Editing and
 Resubmission.
Electronic Disqualified Recipient        273.16(i)(4)............           53           800.70      46,514.000      0.04167    1,938.099       1,768.222        0.000      169.877      169.877
 System Breakout: For Penalty Checks
 using Mainframe.
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    Total State Agency Reporting Burden  ........................           53       20,660.730   1,083,671.320      0.12832  139,052.851   19,167,239.00        0.000   -2,453.749   -2,453.749
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                                                                                                                  Estimated
                                                                   Estimated                                         avg.      Estimated                      Due to
                 Title                                               number       Records per    Annual records   number of      total       Previously      program     Due to an      Total
                                                                 recordkeepers    recordkeeper                    hours per      annual       approved        change     adjustment   difference
                                                                                                                   records      records
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                                                                                          Recordkeeping
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Recordkeeping Breakout: For initiating  272.1(f)...............            53         16,688.98     884,516.000      0.03333   29,480.918      22,930.504        0.000    6,550.414    6,550.414
 Collection Action.
Recordkeeping Breakout: For IPVs......  272.1(f)...............            53          1,626.04      86,744.000      0.03333    2,891.178       3,395.699        0.000     -504.521     -504.521
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    Total State Agency Recordkeeping    .......................            53        18,315.021     971,260.000      0.03333   32,372.096      26,326.203        0.000    6,045.893    6,045.893
     Burden.
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                                                                                                                  Estimated
                                                                    Estimated                                    avg. number                                  Due to
                                              CFR section of          number     Responses per    Total annual     of hours    Estimated     Previously      program     Due to an      Total
                                                regulations        respondents     respondent       responses        per      total hours     approved        change     adjustment   difference
                                                                                                                   pesponse
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Total state agency burden..............  ........................           53       38,772.289    2,054,931.32      0.08342  171,424.947   19,193,565.20        0.000    3,592.144    3,592.144
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                                                                                                                  Estimated
                                                                    Estimated                     Total annual   avg. number   Estimated                      Due to
                 Title                                                number     Responses per      responses      of hours   total hours    Previously      program     Due to an      Total
                                                                   respondents     respondent     (Col. D x E)       per        (Col. F x     approved        change     adjustment   difference
                                                                                                                   response        G)
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                                                                                            HOUSEHOLD
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                                                                                        Reporting Burden
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Demand Letter for Overissuance........  273.18(a)(2).............   917,566.00             1.00     884,516.000      0.03333   29,480.918      22,930.504        0.000    6,550.414    6,550.414
Notice for Hearing or Prosecution.....  273.16(e)(3).............    43,743.00             1.00      40,230.000     0.016667      670.513         861.532        0.000     -191.019     -191.019
Administrative Disqualification         273.16(i)(2).............    18,112.00             1.00      20,320.000      0.03333      677.266         711.062        0.000      -33.796      -33.796
 Hearing Waiver.
Disqualification Consent Agreement....  273.16(i)(2).............     6,849.00             1.00       2,913.000      0.03333       97.090         275.706        0.000     -178.616     -178.616
Action Taken on Hearing or Court        273.16(e)(9).............    42,437.00             1.00      42,437.000     0.016667      707.281         836.297        0.000     -129.016     -129.016
 Decision: For IPV Findings.
Action Taken on Hearing or Court        273.16(e)(9).............     1,306.00             1.00       1,306.000     0.016667       21.767          25.266        0.000       -3.499       -3.499
 Decision: For No IPV Findings.
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    Total Household Reporting Burden..  .........................      917,566          1.08082     991,722.000      0.03192   31,654.835      25,640.367        0.000    6,014.468    6,014.468
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                                                                                        SUMMARY OF BURDEN
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State Agency Level....................  .........................           53  ...............   2,054,931.320  ...........  171,424.947   19,193,565.20        0.000    3,592.144    3,592.144
Household.............................  .........................      917,566  ...............     991,722.000  ...........   31,654.835      25,640.367        0.000    6,014.468    6,014.468
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    Total Burden This Collection......  .........................      917,619          3.32017   3,046,653.320      0.06666  203,079.782   19,219,205.57        0.000    9,606.612    9,606.612
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    Dated: June 15, 2017.
Jessica Shahin,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-13574 Filed 6-28-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-30-P