2013-06953. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 21, 2013.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden 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 through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Food and Nutrition Service

Title: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Forms: Applications, Periodic Reporting, and Notices.

OMB Control Number: 0584-0064.

Summary of Collection: The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act), as amended, specifies national eligibility standards and imposes certain administrative requirements on State agencies in administering the program. Information must be collected from households to assure that they are eligible for the program and that they receive the correct amount of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Information collected is limited to that necessary for the administration and enforcement of the SNAP Program. The Federal procedures for implementing the application and certification procedures in the Act are in Parts 271, 272, and 273 of the Title 7 of the Code of Federal Register.

Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information to determine the eligibility of households for the SNAP program and to determine the correct benefit levels for eligible households. If information is not collected to certify households in accordance with the Act or changing the frequency of information or reporting requirements as they relate to the application, certification, and continue eligibility of households would result in a direct violation of the Act and its implementing regulations. Further, benefits could be overissued or underissued for a long period of time if necessary information is not collected or actions are not taken timely.

Description of Respondents: State, Local, and Tribal Government; Individuals or household.

Number of Respondents: 14,910,993.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; Monthly; Quarterly.

Total Burden Hours: 24,897,947.

Food and Nutrition Service

Title: Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.

OMB Control Number: 0584-0541.

Summary of Collection: The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) authorized by Section 4402 of Public Law 107-711, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, 7 U.S.C. 3007, the Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246, reauthorized the SFMNP through Fiscal Year 2012. The purposes of the SFMNP are to provide resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs from farmer's markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs to low-income seniors; to increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the expansion of domestic farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA program; and to develop or aid in the development of new and additional farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs. The SFMNP is designed to be administered in a manner consistent with the administration of the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program whenever possible.

Need and Use of the Information: SFMNP financial and program information is collected on the FNS-683-A, “Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Annual Financial and Program Data Report” and is submitted annually to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) by participating SFMNP State agencies. The information is used to reconcile and close out grants in accordance with the requirements of § 3016.23(b) and § 3016.41(a)(1). FNS will also collect information to assess how each State agency operates and to ensure the accountability of State agencies, local agencies, and authorized farmers/farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs in administering the SFMNP.

Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government; Farms; Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 905,669.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Report: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 474,273.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.