[Federal Register: March 19, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 53)]
[Notices]
[Page 12512-12513]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19mr02-42]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Waivers Under Section 6(o) of the Food Stamp Act
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment
on proposed information collections. Section 6(o) of the Food Stamp Act
of 1977, as amended by Section 824 of the Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, establishes a time limit
for the receipt of food stamp benefits for certain able-bodied adults
who are not working. The provision authorizes the Secretary of
Agriculture, upon a State agency's request, to waive the provision for
any group of individuals if the Secretary determines ``that the area in
which the individuals reside has an unemployment rate of over 10
percent, or does not have a sufficient number of jobs to provide
employment for the individuals.'' As required in the statute, in order
to receive a waiver the State agency must submit sufficient supporting
information so that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
can make the required determination as to the area's unemployment rate
or sufficiency of available jobs. This collection of information is
therefore necessary in order to obtain waivers of the food stamp time
limit.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 20, 2002.
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 used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who
respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Patrick
Waldron, Chief, Certification Policy Branch, Program Development
Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be
faxed to the attention of Mr. Waldron at (703) 305-2486. The Internet
address is: Patrick.Waldron@FNS.USDA.GOV. 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, Alexandria, Virginia, 22302,
Room 812.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All comments will be a matter of public
record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information
should be directed to Mr. Waldron at (703) 305-2495.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Waiver Guidance for Food Stamp Time Limits.
OMB Number: 0584-0479.
Form Number: Not a form.
Expiration Date: 2/28/02.
Type of Request: Reinstatement with a change of a previously
approved collection for which approval has expired.
Abstract: Section 824 of the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Pub. L.104-193, 110
Stat. 2323 amended Section 6(o) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
2015(o)) to establish a time limit for the receipt of food stamp
benefits for certain able-bodied adults who are not working. The
provision authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, upon a State
agency's request, to waive the provision for any group of individuals
if the Secretary determines ``that the area in which the individuals
reside has an unemployment rate of over 10 percent; or (ii) does not
have a sufficient number of jobs to provide employment for the
individuals.'' As
[[Page 12513]]
required in the statute, in order to receive a waiver the State agency
must submit sufficient supporting information so that USDA can make the
required determination as to the area's unemployment rate or
sufficiency of available jobs. This collection of information is
therefore necessary in order to obtain waivers of the food stamp time
limit. During the last three years, the Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS) has received on average 74 requests for waivers from an average
of 40 State agencies. Each request submitted by a State agency to
exempt individuals residing in specified areas is considered by FNS to
be a separate request, since the requested exemptions may be based on
different criteria, are submitted at different times, and require
separate analysis. For the above reasons a significant number of State
agencies may submit multiple requests. Since these waivers must be
renewed on an annual basis and new ones may be submitted to reflect
changing labor market conditions, FNS anticipates receipt of
approximately the same number of waiver requests every year.
Affected Public: State and Local governments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 40.
Estimated Number of Responses: 74.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.85.
Estimated Time per Response: 20 hours.
Estimated Total Burden: 1480 hours.
Dated: March 4, 2002.
George Braley,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 02-6590 Filed 3-18-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-U
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