96-17262. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment RequestDetermining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 131 (Monday, July 8, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 35707-35708]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-17262]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    Food and Consumer Service
    
    
    Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
    Comment Request--Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price 
    Meals and Free Milk
    
    AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.
    
    ACTION: Notice.
    
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    SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
    Notice announces the Food and Consumer Service's (FCS) intention to 
    request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review of the information 
    collections related to making eligibility determinations in the Child 
    Nutrition Programs.
    
    DATES: To be assured of consideration, comments must be received by 
    September 6, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this information 
    collection to: Mr. Terry Hallberg, Chief, Program Analysis and 
    Monitoring Branch, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Consumer Service, 
    U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1008, 
    Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
        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 will have 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; and (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.
        All responses to this Notice will be summarized and included in the 
    request for OMB approval, and will become a matter of public record.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Terry Hallberg at (703) 305-2600.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
    
        Title: 7 CFR Part 245, Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced 
    Price Meals and Free Milk
    
    [[Page 35708]]
    
        OMB Number: 0584-0026.
        Expiration Date: July 31, 1996.
        Type of Request: Extension of clearance for existing collection
        Abstract: 7 CFR Part 245, ``Determining Eligibility for Free and 
    Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk'', sets forth policies and procedures 
    for use by State agencies (SA) and local level organizations, 
    administering or operating the child nutrition programs, in providing 
    meals free or at a reduced price to eligible children. Under section 
    9(b)(1) of the National School Lunch Act (NSLA), (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)), 
    the Secretary prescribes income eligibility guidelines for free and 
    reduced price lunches. Any child who is a member of a household whose 
    income, at the time the application is submitted, is at an annual rate 
    which does not exceed the applicable family-size income level of the 
    income eligibility guidelines for free lunches, shall be served a free 
    lunch. Any child who is a member of a household whose income, at the 
    time the application is submitted, is at an annual rate greater than 
    the income level of the income eligibility guidelines for free lunches, 
    but less than or equal to the applicable family-size income eligibility 
    guidelines for reduced price lunches, shall be served a reduced price 
    lunch. Section 4(e) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, (42 U.S.C. 
    1773(e)) requires that breakfasts served to school children will be 
    served free or at a reduced price under the same terms and conditions 
    as are set forth with respect to the service of lunches free or at a 
    reduced price in section 9 of the NSLA.
        Eligibility determinations are to be made by cross-referencing 
    family income with family size. Section 9(b)(2) of the NSLA requires 
    each SA to announce the income guidelines issued by the Secretary, for 
    use by schools under the SA's jurisdiction. The information collection 
    requirements of 7 CFR Part 245 involve the certification and 
    verification of children as meeting these guidelines.
        Estimate of Burden: The reporting burden for this collection of 
    information is estimated at 657,743 burden hours. The major areas of 
    the reporting burden are attributed to the completion of applications 
    for benefits by households; and notification to households by school 
    food authorities utilizing direct certification that children are 
    eligible to receive free meals; i.e., 289,717 and 160,521 hours, 
    respectively. The recordkeeping burden is estimated at 369,782 burden 
    hours. The review of applications and eligibility determinations by 
    schools comprises the majority of the recordkeeping burden, i.e., 
    215,332 hours.
        Respondents: State agencies, school food authorities, schools, 
    households.
        Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,298,688 respondents.
        Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: .863 responses.
        Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,027,525 burden 
    hours.
    
        Dated: June 21, 1996.
    William E. Ludwig,
    Administrator.
    [FR Doc. 96-17262 Filed 7-5-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-30-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/08/1996
Department:
Food and Consumer Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
96-17262
Dates:
To be assured of consideration, comments must be received by September 6, 1996.
Pages:
35707-35708 (2 pages)
PDF File:
96-17262.pdf