[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56240-56243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22011]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Food Program and Reporting System (FPRS)

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), 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 this proposed information collection. This is a revision of a 
currently approved collection for the Food Programs Reporting System 
(FPRS). The purpose of FPRS is to enable data gathering for the 
reporting of data related to Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) programs, 
including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). FPRS is 
the primary collection point for FNS program performance statistics and 
financial data from State agencies, Indian Tribal Organizations and 
U.S. Territories running and operating the nutrition assistance 
programs. FNS is announcing a revision to the reporting requirements in 
the SNAP Employment and Training program, specifically FNS-583, SNAP 
Employment and Training Program Activity Report, due to changes in 
rulemaking from the final rule titled, ``Employment and Training 
Opportunities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,'' RIN 
0584-AE68 published January 5, 2021. This notice also announces the 
proposed revision of the FNS-366B, Program Activity Statement, to 
revise the currently collected data on initial and recertification 
applications. FNS is not requesting any other updates in this request.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 7, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted via fax to Moira Johnston at 703-
305-2515 or via email to [email protected]. Comments will also be 
accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov, and follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments electronically.
    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 Moira 
Johnston at 703-305-2515.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.
    Title: Food Programs Reporting System.
    Form Number: FNS-583, SNAP Employment and Training Program Activity 
Report and the FNS-366B, Program Activity Statement.
    OMB Number: 0584-0594.
    Expiration Date: 07/31/2023.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract:

FNS-583 Revision

    The SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program, established by the 
Food Security Act of 1985, helps able-bodied SNAP recipients find work 
or gain the skills, training, and experience that leads to employment. 
In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(9), State agencies are required to 
submit quarterly E&T Program Activity Reports containing monthly 
figures for participation in the program no later than 45 days after 
the end of each Federal fiscal quarter FNS uses Form FNS-583 to provide 
the format for this data. State agencies report this data using the 
online Food Program Reporting System (FPRS, OMB Control Number: 0584-
0594; Expiration Date: 07/31/2023). The purpose of the E&T Program 
Activity Report (FNS-583) submitted and maintained in FPRS is to 
collect standard and consistent information on all States and 
Territories Work Registrants, E&T Participation, Able-Bodied Adults 
Without Dependents (ABAWD), Program Activities, Components funded 
through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Office of 
Employment and Training (OET). The data collected through the FNS-583 
is used by FNS to help with management decisions, supports policy 
initiatives, and provides insight into where OET can best offer 
Technical Assistance to States, thus supporting planning within the 
agency. The current data elements collected as part of the FNS-583 in 
accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(9), ask State agencies to report on:
     Newly work registered E&T participants;
     Number of ABAWD applicants and recipients participating in 
qualifying components;
     The number of all applicants and recipients participating 
in components;
     The number of ABAWDS subject to the 3-month time limit (in 
accordance with 273.24(b)) who are exempt under the State agency's 
discretionary exemptions under 273.24(g).
    Merging OMB-Approved Burden for the FNS-583 from OMB Control 
Number: 0584-0653 to OMB Control Number: 0584-0594: FNS intends to 
update the FNS-583 form to reflect changes made as a direct result of 
the final rule titled, ``Employment and Training Opportunities in 
SNAP,'' RIN 0584-AE68, published January 5, 2021, (86 FR 358). The 
information collection burden associated with FNS final rule, 7 CFR 
parts 271 and 273, ``Employment and Training Opportunities in the 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,'' was approved under OMB 
Control Number: 0584-0653; Expiration

[[Page 56241]]

Date: March 31, 2024. The OMB term of clearance for this Information 
Collection Request (ICR) was that FNS would merge the burden hours for 
additional data elements on the FNS-583 (currently approved under OMB 
Control Number: 0584-0653) into the information collection for Food 
Programs Reporting System (FPRS).
    In the final rule, the Department added the requirement for 
reporting four (4) additional data elements related to mandatory E&T 
participants to 7 CFR 273.7(c)(11). ``The Department is committed to 
ensuring that State agencies are providing mandatory E&T participants 
with opportunities to gain skills and appropriate services that help 
them be successful. Therefore, the Department proposed adding 
additional reporting elements to this fourth quarter report focused on 
mandatory E&T participants: The unduplicated number of SNAP applicants 
and participants required to participate in an E&T program during the 
fiscal year, and, of those, the number who actually began to 
participate in an E&T program.'' State agencies running FNS' mandatory 
programs are required to report these additional data elements on the 
Federal Fiscal Year fourth quarter report of the FNS-583 to FNS using 
the FPRS database.
    The four (4) mandatory data elements include:
    1. The number of SNAP applicants and participants required to 
participate in E&T by the State agency.
    2. Of those required to participate, the number who begin 
participation in an E&T program.
    3. Of those required to participate, the number who begin 
participation in an E&T component.
    4. The number of mandatory E&T participants who were determined 
ineligible for failure to comply with E&T requirements.
    This information collection request merges the 17 States who will 
submit 1 (one) response annually for an estimated total of 17 annual 
responses and 68 estimated annual burden hours associated with CFR 
273.7(c)(11) reporting additional FNS 583 data elements currently 
approved under OMB Control Number: 0584-0653 information collection 
associated with a final rulemaking into the FPRS OMB Control Number: 
0584-0594, which will now account for these additional elements to the 
revised FNS-583.

Revisions to the FNS-583 Not Determined by Rulemaking

    The final rule requires that individuals participating in SNAP 
Employment and Training (E&T) must be provided with case management 
services, in addition to one or more E&T component, in accordance to 
237.7(e)(1). As such, in addition to the four (4) mandatory data 
elements required due to rulemaking, FNS has an additional optional 
reporting case management reporting not determined by rulemaking.
    The one (1) optional data elements include:
    1. The number of E&T participants who received case management 
services.
    While offering case management is required, the Department does not 
currently require States to report on the number of individuals that 
receive case management services on the FNS-583. However, many State 
agencies track the provision of case management services and may wish 
to report on those activities in their 4th quarter FNS-583 report. The 
Department requests to include in this revision of the FNS-583 a 
section that would to allow States the option to report the number of 
individuals that receive case management services.
    The reporting of case management data is voluntary, but is intended 
to assist FNS in monitoring State's implementation of the mandatory 
case management offering and increase State's accountability.
    This information collection revision for OMB Control Number: 0584-
0594 includes an additional 1.25 hours for the addition of the 
voluntary case management data field to the FNS-583.
    Affected Public: State, Local and Tribal Governments. Respondent 
group includes State agencies administering the SNAP E&T program in 50 
States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: The total estimated number of 
respondents annually for the reporting burden of the FNS-583 is 53 
State agencies.
    FNS estimates that currently, about 17 respondents of the 53 State 
agencies would be subject to the new data elements required for 
mandatory States. In addition, about 15 respondents of the 53 State 
agencies may choose to report on the new optional elements of case 
management services, although this is not a requirement by rulemaking. 
This is a total of 32 States agencies who will respond to the new 
changes associated with the revision of form FNS-583.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: The 53 States 
agencies are required to submit data on the FNS-583 for 4 reports per 
year (quarterly). As both the new reporting elements for mandatory 
States and the optional case management reporting only affects the 4th 
quarter of the 583, the estimated number of responses per respondent is 
1 for both the additional data entries and the optional case management 
reporting. On average, for all 53 State agencies, the estimated number 
of responses per respondent is 4.6 responses annually.
    Total Annual Responses: The total annual responses is 244. This 
number includes the 212 burden hours currently approved for the 
quarterly FNS-583 report as well as the estimated newly estimated 17 
total annual responses from mandatory States on the new data elements 
due to the final rulemaking plus the newly estimated 15 responses on 
optional case management reporting not associated with any rulemaking 
and at the discretion of the FNS; therefore, 32 of the 244 total annual 
responses are new.
    Estimated Time per Response: There will be an additional 4 hours 
for the 17 State agency respondents of mandatory States reporting 
additional data elements. The optional reporting of case management 
will take about 5 minutes (0.0835 hours) per response estimated for 15 
State agency respondents.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: The burden to be 
added to OMB Control Number: 0584-0594 is 69.25 hours. This total 
includes 68 hours from the new 4 data elements from mandatory States 
(currently approved under OMB Control Number 0584-0653, to be merged 
into OMB Control Number: 0584-0594) plus the 1.25 hours from reporting 
the optional case management (newly requested burden under OMB Control 
Number: 0584-0594). The currently approved reporting burden hours is 
20,776 for the FNS 583 under OMB Control Number: 0584-0594 (expiration 
7/31/2023). The updated total FNS-583 burden is 20,845.25 hours. The 
new total FPRS burden includes the previously approved burden of 
104,610.5 total hours plus the additional 69.25 hours from the merge 
from OMB Control Number: 0584-0653 and the newly requested data 
element, resulting in 104,679 as the Overall Grand Total Burden 
Estimates for FPRS.
    See the table below for estimated total annual burden for each type 
of respondent.

[[Page 56242]]



                                                       Reporting Burden Estimates for the FNS-583
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                                                                                                                   Total
                                                                                    Estimated      Responses       annual    Estimated avg.   Estimated
                                 Respondent       Form          CFR citation          number     annually per    responses      number of    total hours
                                                                                    respondent    respondent     (col. b x      hours per     (col. d x
                                                                                                                     c)         response          e)
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                                                                    Reporting Burden
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Currently Approved Reporting  State Agency     FNS 583...  ......................           53               4          212              98    20,776.00
 Burden for the FNS-583 in     Administrative
 OMB Control Number 0584-      Staff.
 0594 (expiration 7/31/2023).
** Currently Approved         State Agency                 7 CFR 273.7(c)(11)....           17               1           17               4        68.00
 Additional Data Request--     Administrative
 Mandatory Reporting (Burden   Staff Running
 to be merged from OMB         Mandatory
 Control Number 0584-0653 to   Programs.
 OMB Control Number 0584-
 0594).
NEW Optional Reporting of     State Agency                 TBD...................           15               1           15          0.0835         1.25
 Case Management (NEW burden   Administrative
 to be added to OMB Control    Staff.
 Number 0584-0594).
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    Total Burden to be added to OMB Control    ..........  ......................           32               1           32          4.0835        69.25
     Number 0584-0594.
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Grand Total Burden Estimates for FNS   ..........  ......................           53     4.603773585          244      85.4313627    20,845.25
         583.
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* Note: There are only 53 State agencies, FNS is not counting duplicative States who conduct additional activities; we are only counting the activities/
  responses and the burden times associated with these activities.
** Note: Only 17 of the 53 States agencies are expected to respond to the activities in form FNS 583 requirements in 7 CFR 273.7 (c) (11) burden
  activities approved OMB Control Number: 0584-0653 associated with the final rulemaking for E&T SNAP. All other burden approved in OMB Control Number:
  0584-0653 collection will remain. The burden for FNS 583 will be merged into the FPRS OMB Control Number: 0584-0594 Expiration Date: 07/31/2023.


                                        Total Revised Reporting Burden Estimates for OMB Control Number 0584-0594
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                                                        Estimated                              Total annual      Estimated avg.
           Respondent              Instrument/form       number       Responses annually per     responses     number of hours per     Estimated total
                                                       respondents          respondent         (col. b x c)         response         hours (col. d x e)
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                                                         Reporting Burden
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Currently Approved Burden in in OMB Control Number           12,708         3.71081208687441          47,157         2.16392052081               102,044
 0584-0594.
Total Burden to be added to OMB Control Number 0584-             32                        1              32             2.1640625                 69.25
 0594.
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  Overall Grand Total for OMB Control Number 0584-           12,708                     3.69          47,189     2.163920617092967            102,113.25
                        0594
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  Total Revised Reporting Burden Estimates for OMB Control Number 0584-
                                  0653
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Estimated     Total annual
                                            total hours      responses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently Approved Reporting Burden in         2,071,908      15,500,709
 OMB Control Number: 0584-0653
 (expiration 7/31/2023).................
Total Burden to be removed from OMB                  -68             -17
 Control Number 0594-0653 and merged
 into OMB Control Number: 0584-0594.....
                                         -------------------------------
    Updated Grand Total Burden Estimates       2,071,840      15,500,692
     remaining in OMB Control Number:
     0584-0653..........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

FNS-366B Revision

    The FNS-366B, Program Activity Statement, is FNS' primary means of 
collecting data on the integrity and certification activities of State 
SNAP agencies. The Certification section of the FNS-366B is used to 
track the number of initial and recertification applications approved 
or denied by the State agency in the specified reporting quarter, as 
well as the number of applications that were approved beyond processing 
requirements. Collection of this data is required by Federal 
regulations authorized by the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act). 
Under 7 CFR 272.2(c)(1)(ii) of SNAP regulations, State agencies are 
required to periodically

[[Page 56243]]

report to FNS using the Program Activity Statement (FNS-366B) on a 
quarterly basis.
    After a recent policy review, FNS determined updates to the FNS-
366B were needed to revise currently collected metrics related to SNAP 
recertification policy. Households that file a recertification 
application within 30 days of the end of their certification period are 
entitled to expedited service, if eligible. While the FNS-366B 
currently collects aggregate data on expedited applications on its 
current form, the form does not differentiate between expedited initial 
applications and expedited recertification applications. FNS is 
proposing to update the form to make this distinction. The form 
revision acknowledges the distinction in the policy. With the form 
changes, FNS will be able to collect disaggregated data on expedited 
applications, which will help inform the monitoring and tracking of 
timeliness compliance and identify opportunities for additional 
technical assistance.
    Currently, State agencies are instructed to enter line 6 on the 
FNS-366B ``Expedited Service.'' FNS proposes to update the form by 
breaking down this data point into two separate data points, as 
follows:
     Line 6, ``Expedited Service'', will be replaced by Line 
6a--``Expedited Service--Initial Applications.''
     FNS will also add Line 6b--``Expedited Service--
Recertifications.''
     FNS has updated the FNS-366B instructions to reflect this 
proposed change.
    The reporting burden of 3,180 burden hours, 53 respondents, and 212 
total responses for the current version of the FNS-366B form is covered 
under OMB number 0584-0594, expiration date 07/31/2023. The 
recordkeeping burden of 1,124 hours for the FNS-366B form is currently 
covered under OMB number 0584-0083, expiration date 08/31/2023. We do 
not anticipate the changes to the FNS-366B will impact the current 
reporting or recordkeeping burden which will remain the same.

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                                                                             Estimated     Frequency of
        Respondent               Form No.                  CFR               number of     response per    Total annual   Estimated hrs.   Annual burden
                                                                            respondents     respondent       response      per response        hrs.
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State Agencies...........  FNS-366B: Program     7 CFR 272.2............            53.0             4.0           212.0            15.0         3,180.0
                            and Budget Summary
                            Statement: Program
                            Activity Statement.
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Cynthia Long,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22011 Filed 10-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P