2020-13501. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Data Reporting for Work Participation (OMB #0970-0338)

AGENCY:

Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION:

Request for public comment.

SUMMARY:

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting a 3-year extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Data Reporting for Work Participation (formerly titled the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 TANF Final Rule; OMB #0970-0338). Information collections include the TANF data verification procedures, the TANF Data Report, the Separate State Program (SSP)—Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Data Report, the Caseload Reduction Documentation Process, and the Reasonable Cause/Corrective Compliance Documentation Process. We are proposing to continue these information collections without change.

DATES:

Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ACF is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by emailing [e-mail]. Alternatively, copies can also be obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE), 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. All requests, emailed or written, should be identified by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description: ACF is requesting a 3-year extension of the following information collections: TANF data verification procedures, the TANF Data Report, the SSP-MOE Data Report, the Caseload Reduction Documentation Process, and the Reasonable Cause/Corrective Compliance Documentation Process (OMB #0970-0338). The data and information from these reports and processes are used for program analysis and oversight, including the calculation and administration of the work participation rate and associated penalties. Congress provides federal funds to operate TANF programs in the states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and for approved federally recognized tribes and Alaskan Native Villages. We are proposing to continue these information collections without change.

Respondents: The 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Total number of respondents	Annual number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total annual burden hours
Work Verification Plan §§ 261.60—261.63	54	1	640	34,560
Caseload Reduction Documentation Process, ACF-202 §§ 261.41 & 261.44	54	1	120	6,480
Reasonable Cause/Corrective Compliance Documentation Process §§ 262.4, 262.6, & 262.7; § 261.51	54	2	240	25,920
TANF Data Report Part 265	54	4	2,201	475,416
SSP-MOE Data Report—Part 265	29	4	714	82,824
TANF Sampling and Statistical Methods Manual Part 265.5	30	4	48	5,760

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 630,960.

Comments: The Department specifically requests comments on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this publication.

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 601, 607, 609, 611, 613, and 1302.

Mary B. Jones,

ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.