06-8215. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 20, 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: Federal Collection Methods for Food Stamp Program Recipient Claims.

OMB Control Number: 0584-0446.

Summary of Collection: The Debt Collection Improvement (DCIA), Food Stamp Act (FSA) and the Privacy Acts require that State agencies advise debtors of the intended referral to the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). TOP is a method used to collect debts owed for over-issued food stamp recipient claims. TOP offers debtors an opportunity to repay the claim, and an opportunity to request a review of the validity of the collection action.

Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used to operate Federal offset. State agencies collect this information to offset debts as a result of over-issuance of Food Stamp benefits that become delinquent claims. Without the information, compliance with the DCIA would not be possible and departmental participation in TOP would be jeopardized.

Description of Respondents: State, local, or tribal government; individual or households.

Number of Respondents: 380,053.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: on occasion; annually.

Total Burden Hours: 69,451.

Food and Nutrition Service

Title: Supplemental form for collecting taxpayer identifying numbers.

OMB Control Number: 0584-0501.

Summary of Collection: Section 31001(y) of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-134) requires all Federal agencies to obtain taxpayer identifying number (TINs) from all individuals and entities they do business with, and to furnish the TIN whenever a request for payment is submitted to Federal payment officials. A taxpayer identifying number can be either a Social Security Number or an Employer Identification Number. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will collect information using form FNS-711.

Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect taxpayer identify numbers from individuals and entities receiving payments directly from the agency under any of the various nutrition and nutrition education programs administered by the Agency. The information is collected at the time of program application, and is only collected once unless an entity renews its application or reapplies for program participation. If the information were not collected, FNS would be unable to include taxpayer identifying numbers with each certified request for payment.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; individuals or households; not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 800.

Frequency of Responses: Report: on occasion; other (at time of app.).

Total Burden Hours: 66.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.