05-23357. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Title: Methodology for Determining If an Increase in a State's Child Poverty Rate Is the Result of TANF.

OMB No.: 0970-0186.

Description: In accordance with Section 413(i) of the Social Security Act and 45 CFR part 284, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) intends to reinstate the following information collection requirements. For instances when Census Bureau data show that a State's child poverty rate increased by 5 percent or more from one year to the next, a State may submit independent estimates of its child poverty rate. If HHS determines that the State's independent estimates are not more reliable than the Census Bureau estimates, HHS will require the State to submit an assessment of the impact of the TANF program(s) in the State on the child poverty rate. If HHS determines from the assessment and other information that the child poverty rate in the State increased as a result of the TANF program(s) in the State, HHS will then require the State to submit a corrective action plan.

Respondents: The respondents are the 50 States and District of Columbia; when reliable Census Bureau data become available for the Territories, additional respondents might include Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument or requirement	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total burden hours
Optional Submission of Data on Child Poverty from an Independent Source	54	1	8	432
Assessment of the Impact of TANF on the Increase in Child Poverty	54	1	120	6,480
Corrective Action Plan	54	1	160	8,640

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,552.

Additional Information: Copies of the proposed collection may be obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Administration, Office of Information Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20477, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. All requests should be identified by the title of the information collection. E-mail address: [e-mail].

OMB Comment: OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of information between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. Therefore, a comment is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent directly to the following: Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project, Attn: Desk Officer for ACF, E-mail address: [e-mail].

Dated: November 21, 2005.

Robert Sargis,

Reports Clearance Officer.