Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Emergency Approval of New Information Collection for Examination of Cash Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) Benefits in Puerto Rico, 41954-41957 [2014-16914]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Food and Nutrition Service

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41954-41957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16914]


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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 138 / Friday, July 18, 2014 / 
Notices

[[Page 41954]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Emergency 
Approval of New Information Collection for Examination of Cash 
Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) Benefits in Puerto Rico

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces FNS' intention to request emergency approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and invites the general public 
and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information 
collection. This is a new collection for Examination of Cash Nutrition 
Assistance Program Benefits in Puerto Rico.

ADDRESSES: 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 shall 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 that were 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 the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Written comments may be sent to Richard Lucas, Office of Policy 
Support, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may 
also be submitted via fax to the attention of Richard Lucas at 703-305-
2576 or via email to Richard.Lucas@fns.usda.gov. Comments will also be 
accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov, and follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments electronically.
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
be a matter of public record.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 16, 
2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information collection should be directed to Richard 
Lucas at 703-305-2017.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Examination of Cash Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits in 
Puerto Rico.
    OMB Number: 0584--NEW.
    Expiration Date: Not yet determined.
    Type of Request: Emergency request for a new collection.

Abstract

    The Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) is a critical Federal 
Government assistance program provided to low-income residents of 
Puerto Rico. Since July 1982, Puerto Rico has operated NAP from Federal 
funds received as a block grant. In late 2001, Puerto Rico developed an 
electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system and mandated that 75 percent 
of a household's monthly benefit be restricted to the EBT system for 
purchasing eligible food items at certified retailers. The remaining 25 
percent of the monthly benefit may be issued in the form of cash to 
allow participants a way to purchase food from retailers not certified 
to accept EBT.
    In early 2014, Congress reauthorized the Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 in the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79), commonly known 
as the 2014 Farm Bill, which included a provision for the gradual 
discontinuation of the cash portion of the NAP benefit until, by FY 
2021, no benefits in the form of cash will be issued (Section 4025). 
The legislation also required a review of NAP cash benefits in Puerto 
Rico, including the history and purpose of the cash portion, barriers 
to redeeming the non-cash portion, and usage of cash benefits for the 
purchase of non-food items. Additionally, it required an assessment of 
the potential adverse effects of discontinuing the cash portion for 
both participants and retailers, and allows the Secretary of 
Agriculture to exempt participants or categories of participants if the 
review finds that the discontinuation of cash benefits is likely to 
have significant adverse effects.
    This study performs the required assessment of the cash portion of 
benefits received under NAP in Puerto Rico. The specific research 
objectives are to:

 Objective 1: Review the history and purpose of distributing a 
portion of monthly benefits in the form of cash
 Objective 2: Examine the barriers to the redemption of non-
cash benefits by both program participants and retailers
 Objective 3: Examine the current usage of cash benefits for 
the purchase of non-food and other prohibited items
 Objective 4: Identify and assess the potential adverse effects 
of the discontinuation of cash benefits for both program participants 
and retailers

    Primary data collected from NAP participants, NAP-certified and 
uncertified retailers, community-based organizations (CBOs), and group 
residential facilities will be analyzed to assess barriers to redeeming 
the non-cash portion of the benefit, use of the cash portion of the 
benefit, and potential adverse effects on participants and retailers 
from eliminating the cash portion of the benefit.
    The information collection includes the following components:

 A telephone survey with NAP participants,
 Focus groups with NAP participants,
 In-person (semi-structured) interviews with certified and 
uncertified retailers,
 In-person (semi-structured) interviews with directors of 
community-based organizations that work with NAP participants, and

[[Page 41955]]

 In-person (semi-structured) interviews with directors of 
residential facilities where NAP participants live

Affected Public

    Respondent groups identified include: (1) NAP participants across 
Puerto Rico; (2) managers or owners of food stores (retailers) across 
Puerto Rico; (3) directors of CBOs, and (4) directors/managers of group 
residential facilities.

Estimated Number of Respondents

    The total estimated number of respondents is 1,467. This includes 
1,000 NAP participants for telephone surveys (75 percent of whom will 
complete surveys); 396 NAP participants for the focus groups (41 
percent of whom will attend the focus groups); and 60 retailers (30 
certified and 30 uncertified) for the in-person semi-structured 
interviews (50 percent of whom will complete interviews). Also included 
are 6 CBO directors and 5 directors/managers of group residential 
facilities.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent

    All respondents (NAP participants, retailers, and CBO and group 
residential facility directors) will respond once, either to one 
telephone survey, one focus group, or one in-person interview. In 
addition, all respondents will be contacted with an advance letter, and 
will receive recruitment phone calls.

Estimated Total Annual Responses

    The estimated total annual responses is 4,475, including contacts 
with an advance letter, initial recruitment phone calls, follow-up 
phone calls, and completed surveys, focus groups, and interviews.
    The 4,475 responses are based on the sum of 2,659 successful 
contacts or completed surveys, focus groups, and interviews, and 1,816 
attempted contacts, surveys, and interviews.

Estimated Time per Response

    Response times may vary from 0.05 hours to 1.5 hours depending on 
actual activity and respondent group. The estimated time per interview 
ranges from 0.18 hours to 1.5 hours, depending on respondent group and 
interview mode.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents

    The estimated total annual burden on respondents is 599.08 hours 
(including recruitment communications and completed and attempted 
interviews and surveys). See the table below for estimated total annual 
burden for each type of respondent.
BILLING CODE: 3410-30-P

[[Page 41956]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN18JY14.000


[[Page 41957]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN18JY14.001


    Dated: July 14, 2014.
Audrey Rowe,
FNS Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-16914 Filed 7-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-C