E6-4637. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 27, 2006.

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: Status of Claims Against Households.

OMB Control Number: 0584-0069.

Summary of Collection: Section 11, 13, and 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended (the Act) and appropriate Food Stamp Program Regulation are the bases for the information collected on FNS-209. Regulations at 7 CFR 273.18(m)(5) requires State agencies to submit at the end of every quarter the completed FNS-209, Status of Claims Against Households. The information required for the FNS-209 report is obtained from a State accountable system responsible for establishing claims, sending demand letters, collecting claims, and managing other claim activity.

Need and Use of the Information: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will collect information on the outstanding aggregate claim balance; claims established; collections; any balance and collection adjustments; and the amount to be retained for collecting non-agency error claims. The information will be used by State agencies to ascertain aggregate claim balance and collections for determining overall performance, the collection amounts to return to FNS, and claim retention amounts. FNS will receive collections and report collection activity to Treasury.

Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 53.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly.

Total Burden Hours: 742.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.