98-33666. Information Collection Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for Review under the Paperwork Reduction Act

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 244 (Monday, December 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 70414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33666]



[[Page 70414]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Information Collection Submitted to the Office of Management and 
Budget for Review under the Paperwork Reduction Act

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Reinstatement.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) 
has submitted the proposed information collection request for the 
Application for Assistance/Services under the Financial Assistance and 
Social Services Program, OMB NO. 1076-0017 for reinstatement under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). On June 5, 1998, the 
BIA published a Notice in the Federal Register (Volume 63, No. 108, 
page 30771) requesting comments on the proposed information collection. 
One public comment was received during the 60 day comment period. The 
respondent recommended that the application form be divided into two 
separate forms, enlarging the print, and that Self-Governance Tribes be 
provided flexibility to develop their own forms. In response to the 
suggestions, the BIA stated that prior to 1992, there were two separate 
application forms. Based on the recommendations of a majority of tribes 
for brevity and ease of application, the forms were combined. The print 
is small because of the volume of information requested, but has been 
determined readable by users and caseworkers alike. Therefore, one 
comment was not sufficient to change the format. In response to the 
recommendation that the Self-Governance Tribes not be required to use 
the form, the BIA agrees that there is no statutory requirement for the 
Self-Governance Tribes to use the form. However, if the Tribes choose a 
different form, it should collect comparable data so that the 
information can be used for reporting and budget preparation purposes.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the collection of 
information may be obtained by contacting Larry Blair, Office of Tribal 
Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, 1849 C 
Street NW, MS-4603-MIB, Washington, D.C. 20240. Telephone: (202) 208-
2479.

DATES: OMB is required to respond to this request within 60 days after 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register, but may respond 
after 30 days; therefore, your comments should be submitted to OMB by 
January 20, 1999 (to assure maximum consideration).

ADDRESSES: Your comments and suggestions on the requirements should be 
made directly to the attention of: Desk Officer for the Department of 
the Interior, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 
Management and Budget, Room 10102, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, 
D.C. 20503. Telephone: [phone]. Please provide a copy to Mr. 
Larry Blair, Office of Tribal Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, MS-4603-MIB, Washington, 
D.C. 20240. Telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The information collection is in compliance with 25 CFR Part 20, 
for the purpose of applying for annual welfare assistance funds which 
includes general assistance, child welfare assistance, and 
miscellaneous assistance to determine eligibility for services and 
funding. In addition, the BIA uses this data to measure program 
performance and for gathering data to prepare the annual program budget 
justification.

II. Request for Comments

    We specifically request your comments be submitted to OMB at the 
address provided above with a copy to the BIA within 30 days concerning 
the following:
    1. Whether the collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the BIA, including whether the 
information will have practical utility;
    2. The accuracy of the BIA's estimate of the burden of the 
information collection, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    3. The quality, utility and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and,
    4. How to minimize the burden of the information collection on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated 
electronic, mechanical or other forms of information technology.

III. Data

    Title of the Collection of Information: Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Application for Financial Assistance and 
Social Services Program.

OMB Number: 1076-0017.

    Affected Entities: Members of Indian tribes and their members who 
are living on a reservation or near-reservation.
    Frequency of Response: Annual.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 200,000 applicants.
    Estimated Time per Application: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50,000 hours.

    Dated: December 7, 1998.
Kevin Gover,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-33666 Filed 12-18-98; 8:45 am]
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