2012-30973. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 19, 2012.

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: Quality Control Review Schedule.

OMB Control Number: 0584-0299.

Summary of Collection: States agencies are required to perform Quality Control (QC) review for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The FNS-380-1, Quality Control Review Schedule is for State use to collect both QC data and case characteristics for SNAP and to serve as the comprehensive data entry form for SNAP QC reviews. The legislative basis for the operation of the QC system is provided by Section 16 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended (the Act).3

Need and Use of the Information: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will collect information to monitor and reduce errors, develop policy strategies, and analyze household characteristic data. In addition, FNS will use the data to determine sanctions and bonus payments based on error rate performance, and to estimate the impact of some program changes to SNAP participation and costs by analyzing the available household characteristic data.

Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 53.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Weekly; Monthly.

Total Burden Hours: 64,542.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.