97-6519. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Food Stamp Program Identification Card Requirements  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 50 (Friday, March 14, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 12153-12154]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-6519]
    
    
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    Notices
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    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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    Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 50 / Friday, March 14, 1997 / 
    Notices
    
    [[Page 12153]]
    
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    Food and Consumer Service
    
    
    Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
    Comment Request; Food Stamp Program Identification Card Requirements
    
    AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, 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 proposed information collections. This notice announces the Food and 
    Consumer Service's (FCS) intention to request OMB review of the 
    agency's proposal to continue requiring State agencies, in accordance 
    with the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (the Act) and regulations issued 
    pursuant to the Act, to issue a Food Stamp Program (FSP) identification 
    card to each household certified eligible to receive and use food 
    stamps.
        Section 7(a) of the Act requires that food stamp benefits be issued 
    only to households which have been duly certified as eligible to 
    participate in the Food Stamp Program. Further, under section 7(b) food 
    stamp benefits issued to eligible households shall be used by them to 
    purchase food in authorized retail food stores. Part 274.10(a) of the 
    FSP regulations requires that an eligible household member or 
    authorized representative show the household ID card as proof of 
    household identity and eligibility to receive food stamp benefits. Part 
    278.2(h) of the FSP regulations provides that if a food retailer has 
    cause to believe that a person presenting food stamps has no right to 
    use the food stamps, the food retailer should request the person to 
    show the food stamp ID card of the household to establish the right of 
    that person to use the food stamps. Part 278.2(i) of the FSP 
    regulations provides that an authorized meal delivery service require 
    the recipient of a delivered meal to show the specially marked food 
    stamp ID card establishing the recipient's right to use food stamps for 
    the service the first time food stamps are offered as payment. 
    Thereafter, the delivery service may request that the specially marked 
    food stamp ID card be shown at any time the delivery service has cause 
    to question the continued eligibility of the person to use food stamps 
    for delivered meals.
        Section 11(e) paragraphs (15) and (19) of the Act and Part 
    274.10(b) of the regulations require State agencies to issue 
    photographic identification cards (photo ID cards) in project areas or 
    portions thereof with more than 100,000 participants, and in those 
    project areas with less than 100,000 participants that have been 
    identified by the Department's Inspector General as needing photo ID 
    cards, to reduce the number of unauthorized issuances of benefits. 
    Neither the Act or FSP regulations require issuance and use of Photo ID 
    cards in project areas where all issuances of benefits are delivered by 
    direct mail or an electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system. State 
    agencies may request voluntary use of photo ID cards in any project 
    area with less than 100,000 participants and not required to use photo 
    ID cards. However, State agencies are rapidly implementing EBT systems 
    project area by project area and in groups of project areas. This 
    effort is continuing to reduce the use of photo ID cards.
    
    DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 13, 1997.
    
    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 has 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 are to respond, 
    including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
    other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
    technology. Comments may be sent to James I. Porter, Assistant Branch 
    Chief, State Administration Branch, Food Stamp Program, Food and 
    Consumer Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center 
    Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
        All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
    request for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
    comments will also become a matter of public record.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
    regarding this information collection should be directed to James 
    Porter, (703) 305-2385.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
        Title: Food Stamp Program Identification Card Requirements.
        OMB Number: 0584-0124.
        Form Number: None.
        Expiration Date: 4/30/97.
        Type of Request: Extension of the expiration date of a currently 
    approved information collection without any change in the substance or 
    in the method of collection.
        Abstract: The FSP regulations require that photo ID cards be 
    controlled documents by the use of serial numbers. State agencies are 
    required to include on all ID cards, the name of the household member 
    who is authorized to receive the household's issuance, a photograph of 
    the household member, other appropriate information, and laminate the 
    photo ID card at the time of household certification to participate. 
    Also, blank serial numbered photo ID cards must be maintained in secure 
    storage. Households are required to present their photo ID cards to 
    receive benefits and the issuance agents are required to annotate the 
    card serial number on the authorization to participate documents. In 
    addition, households may be required to present their cards for 
    identity when food stamps are presented to an authorized food retailer 
    or meal service to purchase food.
        Affected Public: State and local governments, and food stamps 
    households.
        Estimated Number of Respondents: 9,195,545.
        Number of Responses Per Respondent: 25.590.
    
    [[Page 12154]]
    
        Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,012,998.
    
        Dated: March 4, 1997.
    William E. Ludwig,
    Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
    [FR Doc. 97-6519 Filed 3-13-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-30-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
03/14/1997
Department:
Food and Consumer Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
97-6519
Dates:
Written comments must be submitted on or before May 13, 1997.
Pages:
12153-12154 (2 pages)
PDF File:
97-6519.pdf