[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62527-62530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19633]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program (SNAP) Forms: Applications, Periodic Reporting, and 
Notices

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 collection is a revision 
of the currently approved collection for the applications, periodic 
reporting, and notices burden calculations for the Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 13, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Certification Policy Branch, 
Program Development Division Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place, 5th Floor, Alexandria, 
VA 22314. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the attention of 
the Certification Policy Branch at 703-305-2022 or via email to 
[email protected]. Comments will also be accepted through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://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 (OMB) 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 Muhammad 
Kara by telephone at 703-305-2022.

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: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Forms: 
Applications, Periodic Reporting, and Notices.
    Form Number: N/A.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0064.
    Expiration Date: 2/29/2024.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The information collection addresses the burden estimates 
associated with applications, which are designed at the State level; 
client reporting; and notices sent to SNAP participants or applicants 
(Individuals/Households). Following Federal requirements, State 
agencies are responsible for determining the eligibility of SNAP 
households and issuing benefits to those households entitled to 
benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act), as 
amended. State agencies obtain demographics such as: names, social 
security numbers, and date of births of all household members; 
addresses; and individual or household income information from 
households through the initial application and recertification 
processes as well as through various reports to determine program 
eligibility and benefit levels. SNAP notices sent to individuals or 
households addresses are the primary method State agencies communicate 
with SNAP applicants and current participants. This information must be 
collected from households to ensure that they are eligible for the 
program and that they receive the correct amount of SNAP benefits.
    Additionally, State agencies are limited in the use or disclosure 
of information obtained from SNAP application forms or contained in 
case files of participating SNAP households to certain persons, 
specifically those directly connected with: the administration of SNAP; 
the administration of other Federal or Federally assisted means-tested 
programs; the verification of immigration status of aliens; the Office 
of the Comptroller General of the U.S. for audit and examination 
authorized by any other provisions of law; local, State, or Federal law 
enforcement for the purpose of investigating an alleged violation of 
the Act or SNAP regulations; local, State, or Federal law enforcement 
for the purpose of investigating if a household member is a fleeing 
felon or a parole violator; and agencies of the Federal Government for 
the purposes of collecting the amount of an over issuance from Federal 
pay.
    The Federal procedures for implementing the application and 
certification procedures, as well as third-party disclosure requests, 
in the Act are in Parts 271, 272, and 273 of the Title 7 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR). Part 271 contains general information and 
definitions, Part 272 contains requirements for participating State 
agencies, and Part 273 contains procedures for the certification of 
eligible households.
    In the process of renewing this information collection, FNS 
modified the burden of some of its reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements to reflect current SNAP caseload levels and more recent or 
accurate data sources, where possible. These adjustments represent an 
increase of 14,957,613.94 total annual burden hours. In addition, FNS 
added burden hours to reflect program changes related to two final 
rules, described in more detail below. The burden associated with these 
rules represents an increase of 827,239.41 total annual burden hours. 
Together, these updates represent an increase of 85,968,762.93 total 
annual responses and 15,784,853.36 total annual burden hours for 53 
State agencies, 2,724 Local agencies, and 18,802,000 Individuals/
Households compared to the last to the burden in the currently approved 
information collection.
    On January 5, 2021, FNS published the final rule, ``Employment and 
Training Opportunities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program'' (84 FR 358). This rule requires State agencies to consult 
with their State workforce development boards on the design of their 
employment and training (E&T) programs and to document in their E&T 
State plans the extent to which their E&T programs will be carried out 
in coordination with activities under title I of the Workforce 
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The final rule also made changes 
to E&T components including: replacing job search with supervised job 
search as a component; eliminating job finding clubs; replacing job 
skills assessments with employability assessments; adding 
apprenticeships and subsidized employment as allowable activities; 
requiring a 30-day minimum for provision of job retention services; and 
allowing those activities from the E&T pilots authorized under the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79) that have had the most 
demonstrable impact on the ability of participants to find and retain 
employment that leads to increased

[[Page 62528]]

income and reduced reliance on public assistance to become allowable 
E&T activities. As noted in the final rule, FNS is merging some of the 
burden associated with this rule with this collection by adding new 
reporting burden line items. The burden associated with this program 
change is listed below:
    1. Review and modify list of available E&T Services (7 CFR 
273.14(b)(5)): Under this requirement, 53 State agencies will each 
review and modify one list of available E&T opportunities annually. 
Thus, the information collection activities associated with this 
requirement results in 53 responses for State agencies. FNS estimates 
that it will take State agencies approximately 24 hours per response, 
resulting in 1,272 burden hours. This program change to the burden 
reflects an increase of 53 total annual responses and 1,272 total 
annual burden hours for State agencies.
    2. Provide list of available Employment and Training (E&T) services 
(7 CFR 273.14(b)(5)): Under this requirement, 53 State agencies will 
each send, on average, 103,698.11 lists advising SNAP households not 
otherwise exempt from the general work requirements in writing of 
available employment and training (E&T) opportunities at the time of 
recertification if these individuals are members of households that 
contain at least one adult, with no elderly or disabled individuals, 
and with no earned income at their last certification or required 
report. Thus, the information collection activities associated with 
this requirement result in 5,496,000 responses for State agencies. FNS 
estimates that it takes States approximately one minute (0.0200 hours) 
per response, resulting in 109,920 burden hours. This program change to 
the burden reflects an increase of 5,496,000 total annual responses and 
109,920 total annual burden hours for State agencies. FNS also 
estimates that 5,496,000 individuals will each receive and read one 
list of available E&T services. Thus, the information collection 
activities associated with this requirement results in 5,496,000 
responses for individuals. FNS estimates that it takes individuals 
approximately one minute (0.0200 hours) per response, resulting in 
109,920 burden hours. This adjustment to the burden reflects an 
increase of 5,496,000 total annual responses and 109,920 total annual 
burden hours for households. FNS notes that while the household burden 
associated with this requirement is outlined in the final rule 
published January 5, 2021, FNS has not previously delineated the State 
agency burden associated with this requirement. In this information 
collection renewal, FNS chose to delineate the State agency burden 
associated with this requirement to reflect the process of State 
agencies sending the list of available E&T services and associated 
burden more accurately.
    3. Inform Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) of the 
ABAWD work requirement (7 CFR 273.7(c)(1)(ii) & (iii) & 273.24(b)(8)): 
Under this requirement, 53 State agencies will each send, on average, 
50,943.40 notices informing able-bodied adults without dependents 
(ABAWD) about the ABAWD work requirement and time limit. Thus, the 
information collection activities associated with this requirement 
result in 2,700,000 responses for State agencies. FNS estimates that it 
will take each State agency approximately 5 minutes (0.0830 hours) per 
response, resulting in 224,100 burden hours. This program change to the 
burden reflects an increase of 2,700,000 total annual responses and 
224,100 total annual burden hours for State agencies. FNS also 
estimates that 2,700,000 individuals subject to the ABAWD work 
requirement and time limit will each read one notice. Thus, the 
information collection activities associated with this requirement 
results in 2,700,000 responses for households. FNS estimates that it 
takes households approximately 5 minutes (0.0830 hours) per response, 
resulting in 224,100 burden hours. This program change to the burden 
reflects an increase of 2,700,000 total annual responses and 224,100 
total annual burden hours for households.
    4. Inform Employment and Training (E&T) Participants of Provider 
Determination (7 CFR 273.7(c)(18)(i)): Under this requirement, 53 State 
agencies will each send, on average, 867.92 notifications to E&T 
participants who receive a provider determination by an E&T provider. 
Thus, the information collection activities associated with this 
requirement result in 46,000 responses for State agencies. FNS 
estimates it will take State agencies approximately 5 minutes (0.0830 
hours) per response, resulting in 3,818 burden hours. This program 
change to the burden reflects an increase of 46,000 total responses and 
3,818 burden hours for State agencies. FNS also estimates that 46,000 
E&T participants will each read one provider determination. Thus, the 
information collection activities associated with this requirement 
result in 46,000 responses for households. FNS estimates that it takes 
households approximately 5 minutes (0.0830 hours) per response, 
resulting in 3,818 burden hours. This adjustment to the burden reflects 
an increase of 46,000 total annual responses and 3,818 total annual 
burden hours for households.
    On October 3, 2022, FNS published the interim final rule, 
``Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirement for Interstate 
Data Matching to Prevent Duplicate Issuances'' (87 FR 59633). This rule 
requires State agencies to provide information to the National Agency 
Clearinghouse (NAC) regarding individuals receiving SNAP benefits in 
their States to ensure they are not already receiving benefits in 
another State. It also requires State agencies to take appropriate 
action with respect to each indication from the NAC that an individual 
may already be receiving SNAP benefits from another State agency. FNS 
is merging most of the burden associated with this rule with this 
collection by updating existing verification and noticing burden 
estimates for both State agencies and individuals/households. The 
estimates below are solely related to the program changes related to 
the rule, but FNS notes that it also made adjustments to the following 
line items related to SNAP caseload levels and participation. These 
adjustments are delineated further in the burden table, but for 
purposes of this notice, FNS is focusing on the program changes 
specifically. The burden associated with this program change is listed 
below:
    1. Verification: Questionable Information (7 CFR 273.2(f)(1)&(2)): 
Under this requirement, 53 State agencies will each send, on average, 
4,611.57 notifications to households who have questionable and/or 
unclear information following a positive NAC match. Thus, the 
information collection activities associated with this requirement 
result in 244,413.10 responses for State agencies. FNS estimates that 
it takes States approximately 6 minutes (0.1002 hours) per response, 
resulting in 24,490.19 burden hours. This program change to the burden 
reflects an increase of 244,413.10 total annual responses and 24,490.19 
total annual burden hours for States agencies. FNS also estimates that 
244,413.10 households will each read one notification. Thus, the 
information collection activities associated with this requirement 
result in 244,413.10 responses for households. FNS estimates that it 
takes households approximately 4 minute (0.0668 hours) per response, 
resulting in 16,326.79 burden hours. This program change to the burden 
reflects an increase of

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244,413.10 total annual responses and 16,326.79 total annual burden 
hours for households.
    2. Notice of Adverse Action (7 CFR 273.13(a)): Under this 
requirement, 53 State agencies will be required to issue a combined 
notice for a match on an individual during the certification period 
prior to a change in SNAP benefit allotment to a participant as a 
result of a match found through the NAC. Thus, the information 
collection activities associated with this requirement results in 
409,709.52 responses for State agencies. FNS estimates that it takes 
States approximately 3 minutes (0.0501 hours) per response, resulting 
in 20,526.45 annual burden hours. This program change to the burden 
reflects an increase of 409,709.52 total annual responses and 20,526.45 
total annual burden hours for States agencies. FNS also estimates that 
409,709.52 households will each receive a combined notice of match 
results and notice of adverse action as a result of a positive NAC 
match received during the certification period. Thus, the information 
collection activities associated with this requirement result in 
409,709.52 responses for households. FNS estimates that it takes 
households approximately 5 minutes (0.0835 hours) per response, 
resulting in 34,210.75 burden hours. This program change to the burden 
reflects an increase of 409,709.52 total annual responses and 34,210.75 
total annual burden hours for households.
    3. Notice of Match Results (7 CFR 237.12(c)(3)(iii)): Under this 
requirement, 53 State agencies will be required to issue a notice of 
match results, as necessary, to a household following a positive NAC 
match on an applicant, recertifying individual, or a newly added 
household member. Thus, the information collection activities 
associated with this requirement results in 409,709.52 responses for 
State agencies. FNS estimates that it takes States approximately 3 
minutes (0.0501 hours) per response, resulting in 20,526.45 annual 
burden hours. This program change reflects an increase of 409,709.52 
total annual responses and 20,526.45 total annual burden hours for 
States agencies. FNS also estimates that 409,709.52 households will 
each receive a notice of match results. Thus, the information 
collection activities associated with this requirement results in 
409,709.52 responses for households. FNS estimates that it takes 
households approximately 5 minutes (0.0835 hours) per response, 
resulting in 34,210.75 burden hours. This program change to the burden 
reflects an increase of 409,709.52 total annual responses and 34,210.75 
total annual burden hours for households.
    Inclusive of all burden adjustments and program changes made as 
part of this renewal, FNS is requesting an overall burden of 
1,023,763,956 total annual responses and 139,973,104 total annual 
burden hours. These burden estimates include 866,533,635 total annual 
responses and 135,372,295 total annual burden hours for reporting by 
State agencies and Individuals/Households. The estimates also include 
157,228,413 total annual responses and 4,599,855 total annual burden 
hours for recordkeeping by Local agencies. Finally, the estimates 
include 1,908 total annual responses and 954 total annual burden hours 
for third- party disclosures by State agencies.
    The currently approved burden for this information collection is 
937,795,193 total annual responses and 124,188,251 total annual burden 
hours. Thus, when compared to the burden in the currently approved 
information collection, the adjustments and program changes in this 
renewal represent an increase of 15,784,853.36, rounded to 15,784,853, 
total annual responses and 1,023,763,955.93, rounded to 1,023,763,956, 
total annual burden hours.
    A breakdown of the burden estimates per type of affected public is 
provided below.

Reporting Burden for State Agencies

    Estimated Total Number of Respondents: 53.
    Estimated Frequency of Responses per Respondents: 8,285,674.69.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.13.
    Estimated Total Annual Reporting Burden: 58,835,613.04.

Reporting Burden for Individual/Households

    Estimated Total Number of Respondents: 18,802,000.
    Estimated Frequency of Responses per Respondents: 22.73.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.18.
    Estimated Total Annual Reporting Burden: 76,536,682.18.

Recordkeeping Burden for Local Agencies

    Estimated Total Number of Recordkeepers: 2,724.
    Estimated Frequency of Responses per Recordkeeper: 57,719.68.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 157,228,413.
    Estimated Time per Record: 0.03.
    Estimated Total Annual Recordkeeping Burden: 4,599,854.90.

Third Party Disclosure for State Agencies

    Estimated Total Number of Respondents: 53.
    Estimated Frequency of Responses per Respondents: 36.00.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.50.
    Estimated Total Annual Reporting Burden: 954.00.

Total Burden Estimate

    Estimated Overall Total Number of Respondents: 18,804,777.
    Estimated Overall Frequency of Responses per Respondents: 54.44.
    Estimated Overall Total Annual Responses: 1,023,763,955.93.
    Estimated Overall Time per Response: 0.14.
    Estimated Overall Grand Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping 
Burden: 139,973,104.13.

                                                        FNS SNAP Forms ICR Total Burden Estimate
                                                               [OMB Control No. 0584-0064]
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                                                                                       Estimated                          Estimated
                                                                       Estimated       responses     Estimated total   average number   Estimated total
                          Affected public                              number of     annually per    annual responses   of hours per         hours
                                                                      respondent      respondent                          response
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Reporting Burden:
    State/Local/Tribal Governments................................              53    8,285,674.69     439,140,758.62            0.13      58,835,613.04
    Households....................................................      18,802,000           22.73     427,392,876.32            0.18      76,536,682.18
    Total Estimated Reporting Burden..............................      18,802,053           46.09     866,533,634.93            0.16     135,372,295.23
Recordkeeping Burden:
    State/Local/Tribal Governments................................           2,724       57,719.68        157,228,413            0.03       4,599,854.90
    Total Estimated Recordkeeping Burden..........................           2,724       57,719.68        157,228,413            0.03       4,599,854.90
Third-Party Disclosures:
    State/Local/Tribal Governments................................              53           36.00           1,908.00            0.50             954.00

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    Total Estimated Third-Party Disclosures Burden................              53           36.00           1,908.00            0.50             954.00
                                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Burden for 0584-0064................................      18,804,777           54.44   1,023,763,955.93            0.14     139,973,104.13
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Tameka Owens,
Assistant Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-19633 Filed 9-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P