[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 83 (Monday, May 3, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23431-23432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09205]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

AGENCY: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be 
provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial 
resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, 
and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be 
properly assessed. Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed reinstatement without 
change of the ``Current Population Survey (CPS) Unemployment Insurance 
(UI) Non-Filer Supplement'' to be conducted in February 2022 and May 
2022. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can 
be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the addresses 
section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
Addresses section of this notice on or before July 2, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Erin Good, BLS Clearance Officer, Division 
of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 2 
Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20212. Written comments may 
also be transmitted by email to [email protected].

[[Page 23432]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Good, BLS Clearance Officer, 202-
691-7763 (this is not a toll free number). (See Addresses section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The February and May 2022 CPS Unemployment Insurance (UI) Non-Filer 
Supplement will be conducted at the request of the Department of 
Labor's Chief Evaluation Office. The supplement was last collected in 
May and September of 2018.
    The UI Non-Filer Supplement will gather information on people who 
are unemployed as well as on a subset of those who are not in the labor 
force. Information will be collected about UI participation and reasons 
for not participating. The supplement also contains questions about 
people's job search experience, such as information about jobs for 
which they have applied and whether they would accept a job similar to 
their last job but at lower pay. Additionally, this supplement contains 
questions about the job search process of unemployed individuals and 
the difficulties these seekers have in finding new employment.
    Because this supplement is part of the CPS, the same detailed 
demographic information collected in the CPS will be available on 
respondents to the supplement. Comparisons between UI filers and non-
filers will be possible across characteristics such as sex, race and 
ethnicity, age, and educational attainment.
    UI benefits provide temporary financial assistance to the 
unemployed who meet certain eligibility criteria and can also help 
protect the economy during economic downturns. Unemployment increased 
dramatically in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, making 
updated information of paramount importance. Data gathered in this 
supplement will help measure the effectiveness of current UI programs, 
identify possible shortcomings in existing UI programs, and assist 
policy makers in developing more effective policies.

II. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the 
CPS UI Non-Filer Supplement.
    This collection is needed to provide the Nation with timely 
information about individuals who do not file for UI benefits and their 
reasons for not doing so. In addition, data from the supplement will 
provide a fuller picture about how the unemployed search for jobs and 
the hardships they face when doing so.

III. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility.
     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.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     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 submissions of responses.
    Title of Collection: CPS UI Non-Filer Supplement.
    OMB Number: 1220-0193.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement without change.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Total Respondents: 45,000.
    Frequency: Once.
    Total Responses: 45,000.
    Average Time per Response: 3 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,250 hours.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on April 26, 2021.
Eric Molina,
Acting Chief, Division of Management Systems.
[FR Doc. 2021-09205 Filed 4-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P