2019-25432. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Form ACF-196, TANF Financial Reporting Form for States

AGENCY:

Office of Family Assistance; Administration for Children and Families; HHS.

ACTION:

Request for public comment.

SUMMARY:

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting to renew approval of the ACF-196 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Financial Reporting Form. The ACF-196 is the form used by states to estimate funding needs and request grant awards under the TANF program. In addition, the form is used to report data in substantiation of state claims and to certify the availability of the legislatively mandated state match. ACF will use the financial data provided by states to estimate quarterly funding needs, calculate award amounts, and assess compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements relating to administrative costs and state matching requirements. No changes are proposed to the form.

DATES:

Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by emailing [e-mail]. Alternatively, copies can also be obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE), 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. All requests, emailed or written, should be identified by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description: This information collection is authorized under Section 411(a)(3) of the Social Security Act. This request is for renewal of approval to the ACF-196 form for periodic financial reporting under the TANF program. States participating in the TANF program are required by statute to report financial data on a quarterly basis. This form meets the legal standard and provides essential data on the use of federal funds. Failure to collect the data would seriously compromise ACF's ability to monitor program expenditures, estimate funding needs, and to prepare budget submissions required by Congress. Financial reporting under the TANF program is governed by 45 CFR part 265.

Respondents: TANF Agencies.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Total number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Annual burden hours
ACF-196	51	4	10	2,040

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,040.

Comments: The Department specifically requests comments 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; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this publication.

Authority: U.S.C. Section 402 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602).

Mary B. Jones,

ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.