Agency Information Collection Activities: FNS Information Collection Needs due to COVID-19, 52942-52945 [2020-18860]
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52942
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 85, No. 167
Thursday, August 27, 2020
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
August 24, 2020.
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 are
requested regarding; 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; the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of burden including
the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used; ways to enhance the
quality, utility and clarity of the
information to be collected; and 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.
Comments regarding this information
collection received by September 28,
2020 will be considered. Written
comments and recommendations for the
proposed information collection should
be submitted within 30 days of the
publication of this notice on the
following website www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain. Find this
particular information collection by
selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day
Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or
by using the search function.
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
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displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title: Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC) Program Regulations—
Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden.
OMB Control Number: 0584–0043.
Summary of Collection: The Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
provides supplemental foods, nutrition
education, including breastfeeding
promotion and support, and health care
referrals to low income, nutritionally atrisk pregnant, breastfeeding and
postpartum women, infants, and
children up to age five. Currently, WIC
operates through State health
departments in 50 States, 33 Indian
Tribal Organizations, American Samoa,
District of Columbia, Guam,
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands. The Federal regulations
governing the WIC Program (7 CFR part
246) require that certain program-related
information be collected and that full
and complete records concerning WIC
operations are maintained. The WIC
Program is authorized by the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended.
Need and Use of the Information: The
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
collects information from state and local
agencies, applicants, and retail vendors
to determine eligibility in the WIC
Program. This ongoing information
collection is mandatory for state
agencies and required to obtain or retain
benefits for the WIC participants. This
information includes participant
certification information (e.g., income
and nutrition risk); nutrition education
documentation; local agency and vendor
application and agreement information;
vendor sales and shelf price data; data
related to vendor monitoring and
training; financial and food delivery
system records, and Electronic Benefits
Transfer (EBT) delivery. State Plans are
the principal source of information
about how each State agency operates
its WIC Program. The information is
needed for the general operation of the
Program, including regulatory
compliance, and for ongoing program
integrity and cost-saving efforts. The
information is also used by FNS to
manage, plan, evaluate, make decisions,
and report on WIC Program operations.
If the information were not collected,
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the efficiency and effectiveness of the
Program would be jeopardized,
improper use of Federal funds would
increase, and FNS’ ability to detect
violations would diminish greatly.
Description of Respondents:
Individuals or Households; Businesses
or Other for Profit; Not-for profit
institutions; and State, Local, or Tribal
Government.
Number of Respondents: 6,913,189.
Frequency of Responses:
Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly;
Semi-annually; Monthly; Annually; and
as Needed.
Total Burden Hours: 3,347,011.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020–18884 Filed 8–26–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection
Activities: FNS Information Collection
Needs due to COVID–19
Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS), Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and
other public agencies to comment on
this proposed information collection.
This collection is an Extension of a
Currently Approved Collection.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before October 26, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Comments will be accepted
through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
Go to https://www.regulations.gov, and
follow the online instructions for
submitting comments electronically.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of this information collection
should be directed to Melissa Abelev at
melissa.abelev@usda.gov, or 703–305–
2134.
SUMMARY:
Comments
are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 167 / Thursday, August 27, 2020 / Notices
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 use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Title: FNS Information Collection
Needs due to COVID–19.
Form Number:
OMB Number: 0584–0654.
Expiration Date: November 31, 2020.
Type of Request: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Abstract: As the Food and Nutrition
Service (FNS) is responding to the
COVID–19 Coronavirus pandemic, it is
implementing a number of waivers and
program adjustments to ensure
Americans in need can access nutrition
assistance during the crisis while
maintaining recommended social
distancing practices. Two pieces of
legislation have detailed many of the
program adjustments available to FNS.
The Families First Coronavirus
Response Act of 2020 (PL 116–127) and
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security (CARES) Act (PL
116–136) provided a number of program
adjustments and additional funding,
respectively. The programs’ authorizing
legislation also allows for some waivers
and flexibilities. The statutes describing
these waivers and flexibilities also have
reporting requirements. The Department
obtained approval through an
emergency clearance to collect the
information as described in this Notice
(OMB–0854–0654; expiration 11/30/
2020). USDA anticipates the need to
collect the data beyond the expiration
date and is seeking approval of this
Information Collection Request in order
to meet the continuing information
collection and reporting requirements
detailed in the Families First
Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, as
well as program administration needs to
implement the CARES Act of 2020.
Section 2302(a)(2) of the Families
First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020
(FFCRA), enacted March 18, 2020,
allows the Department of Agriculture to
adjust, at the request of State agencies
or by guidance in consultation with one
or more State agencies, issuance
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methods and application and reporting
requirements under the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended,
(FNA) to be consistent with what is
practicable under actual conditions in
affected areas. Section 2302(c) of FFCRA
requires the Secretary of Agriculture to
submit a report to Congress following
the end of the public health emergency,
including a description of the measures
taken to address the food security needs
of affected populations during the
emergency, including any information
or data supporting State agency
requests, among other information not
included in this information collection
(IC).
Further, Section 2203(a)(1) allows
State agencies administering the Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to
request a waiver of 17(d)(3)(C)(i) of the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1786(d)(3)(C)(i)), which requires
applicants be physically present in the
clinic. Local agencies are required to
submit a report detailing the use and
benefits of this waiver within one year
of use of such waiver, and State
agencies are required to submit a
summary report of local agency usage of
waivers under this Section within 18
months. Section 2204(a)(1) gives State
agencies administering WIC and the
WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
(FMNP) the opportunity to request a
waiver or modification of qualified
regulatory requirements from USDA if
such requirements cannot be met due to
COVID–19, and such waivers are
necessary to provide assistance to WIC
and WIC FMNP participants. State
agencies are also required under this
Section to provide a report to USDA no
later than one year after such waivers
were granted, detailing their use of the
waiver and how it improved services to
women, infants and children.
In addition, Title II of the FFRCA
allows a number of adjustments to the
Child Nutrition Programs and with
those adjustments requires the States to
report to the Secretary of Agriculture
how they used the waivers and whether
they improved services to children. In
order to comply with the requirements
of the FFRCA, FNS will ask the States
to report the required data points on
existing FNS forms. These data will be
collected electronically using the
existing remarks fields in the FNS Food
Program Reporting System (FPRS).
In all the instances described above,
the information collection includes
burden on State agencies for requesting
waivers due to COVID–19 and reporting
to FNS evaluation data on how the
waiver has impacted State operations,
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52943
which is a requirement on States in
FFRCA.
Additionally, FNS is asking State
agencies to report the USDA
commodities used during a disaster on
a more frequent basis. This information
is currently collected in an OMB
approved form, the FNS–292A, Report
of Commodity Distribution for Disaster
Relief (OMB Control Number 0584–0594
Food Programs Reporting System,
expiration July 31, 2023). State
distributing agencies may release
commodity or donated foods procured
by the Department of Agriculture
(USDA) to disaster organizations to
provide nutritional assistance to disaster
victims. Under the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) at 7 CFR 250.69(f),
State distributing agencies shall provide
a summary report to FNS within 45 days
following termination of the disaster
assistance, and maintain records of
these reports and other information
relating to disasters. OMB approved in
an emergency collection (OMB 0584–
0654, expiration 11/30/2020) for FNS to
change the frequency of the collection of
the commodity reports from 45 days
after the completion of the disaster, to
a weekly basis. This change was
requested due to the number of requests
and the burden of the FNS regional
offices. Additionally, this request is
being requested in order for FNS Food
Distribution (FD) staff to monitor levels
of USDA commodities more frequently
to ensure States have access to USDA
commodities in the coming weeks.
Affected Public: State, Local and
Tribal Government: Respondent groups
identified include: (1) State agencies
and Indian Tribal Organizations that
operate USDA Nutrition Assistance
Programs; (2) Local WIC Agencies.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
The total estimated number of
respondents is 2,068. This includes: 53
SNAP State Agencies who will submit
Waiver information, evaluation
information, and weekly operational
updates; 89 WIC State program staff
who will submit waiver information; 89
WIC State program staff who will
submit evaluation information; 49
Farmers Market Nutrition Program Staff
who will submit waiver information; 49
Farmers Market Nutrition Program Staff
who will submit evaluation information;
56 Child Nutrition Program staff who
will submit information on form FNS10;
57 Child Nutrition Program staff who
will submit information on FNS44; 53
Child Nutrition Program staff who will
submit information on FNS418; 60 Food
Distribution State program staff who
will submit information on FNS292A;
and 1808 WIC Local Agency Program
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 167 / Thursday, August 27, 2020 / Notices
staff who will submit information on an
evaluation survey.
As shown in the respondent burden
table below (Table 1), FNS anticipates
two types of respondents: State
Government workers and Local
Government workers at WIC agencies.
Together, their reporting burden is
26,386 burden hours. Note that the
estimates below assume data collection
over twelve months, though they will be
revised should the Public Health Crisis
timeline differ.
SNAP State Program Staff will have
two types of burden:
• Waivers: FNS anticipates up to 3
waivers requests per month per State
agency. SNAP Program Staff in 53 State
Agencies will submit approximately 3
waiver requests per month. Each waiver
will take about 10 hours to complete for
a total of 19,080 burden hours. (53 State
Agency Staff * 3 waivers per months *
12 months (36 waiver request) = 1,908
responses * 10 hours = 19,080 burden
hours)
• Data Reports: SNAP Program Staff
in 53 State Agencies will submit 3 data
reports, reporting on the evaluation data
required by FFRCA. It will take them
about 3 hours to report the data in the
data reports for a total of 159 burden
hours. (53 State Agency Staff * 3 data
reports = 159 responses * 3 hours = 477
burden hours).
• Weekly Operational Update: SNAP
program staff in 53 State Agencies will
submit 1 weekly update to their FNS
Regional Offices. Each update will take
approximately 1 hour to complete. (53
State agencies * 52 weekly reports =
2,756 annual responses * 1 hour per
response = 2,756 burden hours).
WIC State Program Staff will have two
types of burden:
• Waivers: FNS anticipates up to 40
waiver opportunities under the Public
Health Emergency. Each state will
request about 14 waivers. Each waiver
request will take about 15 minutes to
complete for a total of 311.5 burden
hours. (89 State Agency Staff * 14
waivers = 1,246 responses * .25 hours
= 311.5 burden hours)
• Evaluation Information: WIC
Program Staff in 89 State Agencies will
submit 1 survey, reporting on the
evaluation data required by the FFRCA.
It will take them about 2 hours to
complete the survey, for a total of 178
burden hours. (89 State Agency Staff *
1 survey = 89 Responses * 2 hours = 178
burden hours)
• MIS Data Pull: FNS will request
states submit a data pull from their MIS
systems to help facilitate the evaluation
data reporting on the number of WIC
participants affected by different
waivers. (89 WIC State Agencies * 1
data pull = 89 Responses * 1.5 hours per
response = 133.5 burden hours)
FMNP State Program Staff will have
two types of burden:
• Waivers: FNS anticipates up to 8
waiver opportunities under the Public
Health Emergency and each state will
request 4 waivers. FMNP Program Staff
in 49 State Agencies will submit
approximately 4 waiver requests. Each
waiver request will take about 15
minutes to complete for a total of 49
burden hours. (49 State Agency Staff *
4 waivers = 196 responses * .25 hours
= 49 burden hours)
• Evaluation Information: FMNP
Program Staff in 49 State Agencies will
submit 1 State Plan, reporting on the
evaluation data required by the FFRCA.
It will take them about 3 hours to
complete the report, for a total of 147
burden hours. (49 State Agency Staff *
1 State Plan = 49 Responses * 3 hours
= 147 burden hours)
CN State Program Staff will submit
data on three types of existing FNS
Forms:
• FNS10: CN Program staff in 56
States will submit information on an
existing FNS form in the remarks
section. They will enter the data
monthly for the 30-day report and for
the 90-day report for two submissions
per month. It will take about 15 minutes
to complete for a total of 336 burden
hours. (56 State Agency Staff * 24
submissions = 1,344 responses * .25
hours = 336 burden hours)
• FNS44: CN Program staff in 57
States will submit information on an
existing FNS form in the remarks
section. They will enter the data
monthly. It will take about 15 minutes
to complete for a total of 171 burden
hours. (57 State Agency Staff * 12
submissions = 684 responses * .25 hours
= 171 burden hours).
• FNS418: CN Program staff in 53
States will submit information on an
existing FNS form in the remarks
section. They will enter the data
monthly. It will take about 15 minutes
to complete for a total of 159 burden
hours. (53 State Agency Staff * 12
submissions = 636 responses * .25 hours
= 159 burden hours).
Food Distribution State program Staff
will have one type of burden:
• FNS292A: Food Distribution
Program Staff in 60 State Agencies will
submit form FNS292A 52 times (weekly
over twelve months) This is an increase
in burden for an existing, approved
form. It will take them approximately 15
minutes to complete the form each time
for a total of 780 burden hours. (60 State
Agency Staff * 52 submissions = 3,120
responses * .25 hours = 780 burden
hours).
WIC Local Government Agency Staff:
Local Agency staff in 1,808 Local WIC
agencies will submit 1 survey to FNS. It
will take 1 hour to complete and submit
the report for a total of 1,808 burden
hours (1,808 Local Agency staff * 1
submission = 1,808 responses * 1 hours
= 1,808 burden hours)
Pamilyn Miller,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
TABLE 1—RESPONDENT BURDEN TABLE
Respondent category
Type of
respondents
Instruments
State Gov. ......................
SNAP State Program ....
SNAP State Program ....
SNAP State Agency ......
Waiver ...........................
Data Reports .................
Weekly Operational Update.
Waiver ...........................
53
53
53
36
3
52
1,908
159
2,756
10
3
1
19,080
477
2,756
89
14
1,246
0.25
311.5
Evaluation Survey .........
89
1
89
2
178
MIS Data Pull ................
89
1
89
1.5
133.5
Waiver ...........................
49
4
196
0.25
49
Evaluation Info ..............
49
1
49
3
147
Form: FNS10 ................
Form: FNS44 ................
Form: FNS418 ..............
56
57
53
24
12
12
1,344
684
636
0.25
0.25
0.25
336
171
159
WIC State Program
Staff.
WIC State Program
Staff.
WIC State Program
Staff.
FMNP State Program
Staff.
FMNP State Program
Staff.
CN State Program Staff
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Number of
respondents
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Frequency of
response
Total annual
responses
E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM
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Hours per
response
Annual burden
(hours)
52945
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 167 / Thursday, August 27, 2020 / Notices
TABLE 1—RESPONDENT BURDEN TABLE—Continued
Respondent category
Local Government ..........
Respondent Total ...
Type of
respondents
Instruments
Food Dist. State Program.
WIC Local Agency Program Staff.
Form: FNS292A ............
60
52
3,120
0.25
780
Report to State ..............
1,808
1
1,808
1
1,808
.......................................
2,066
6.817
0
14,084
0.25
1.873
0
26,386
.......................................
Number of
respondents
Frequency of
response
703–305–2435 or Kelly.stewart@
usda.gov.
[FR Doc. 2020–18860 Filed 8–26–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
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 use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program Emergency
Allotments (COVID–19)
Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS), Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and
other public agencies to comment on
this proposed information collection.
The Families First Coronavirus
Response Act of 2020, enacted March
18, 2020, includes a general provision
that allows the Department of
Agriculture to issue emergency
allotments (EA) based on a public health
emergency declaration by the Secretary
of Health and Human Services under
section 319 of the Public Health Service
Act related to an outbreak of COVID–19
when a State has also issued an
emergency or disaster declaration. This
is a new collection for activities
associated with administering
emergency allotments.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before October 26, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to:
Kelly Stewart, Food and Nutrition
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
via email to Kelly.stewart@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 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of this information collection
should be directed to Kelly Stewart at
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:09 Aug 26, 2020
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Abstract
The Families First Coronavirus
Response Act of 2020 (Pub. L. 116–127),
enacted March 18, 2020, includes a
general provision that allows the
Department of Agriculture to issue
emergency allotments (EA) based on a
public health emergency declaration by
the Secretary of Health and Human
Services under section 319 of the Public
Health Service Act related to an
outbreak of COVID–19 when a State has
also issued an emergency or disaster
declaration. The Department obtained
approval through an emergency
clearance to collect the information as
described in this Notice (OMB Control
Number 0854–0652; expiration 9/30/
2020). USDA anticipates the need to
collect the data beyond the expiration
date and is seeking approval of this
Information Collection Request in order
to meet the continuing information
collection and reporting requirements
detailed in the Families First
Coronavirus Response Act of 2020.
As authorized by Families First
Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, State
agencies impacted by COVID–19 may
submit a waiver request to their FNS
Regional Office for approval to provide
a EA to households to bring all
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Total annual
responses
Hours per
response
Annual burden
(hours)
households up to the maximum benefit
due to pandemic related economic
conditions. State agency waivers will
generally be approved under one or
more the following conditions as it
relates to COVID–19:
• Residents of the State are confirmed
to have contracted COVID–19.
• Some or all areas of the State are
containment or quarantine zones.
• Businesses have closed or
significantly reduced their hours.
• The State’s residents have
experienced economic impacts due to
job suspensions or losses.
• The State’s residents have been
directed to practice social distancing.
Once the State’s waiver has been
approved by FNS, the State may provide
the EA without contacting the
household. Following waiver approval,
FNS will require State Agencies to attest
to FNS on a monthly basis the EA
waiver is still needed. Both the initial
waiver and the monthly attestation are
conducted via email. FNS expects 53
State agencies will submit one initial EA
waiver to FNS. Currently 51 State
agencies are operating under an EA
waiver. It is possible that States may
have more than one declared public
health emergency over the next year as
COVID–19 rates ebb and flow, therefore
we are including hours for these initial
waiver requests in this IC as a
precautionary measure. Each initial EA
waiver submission should take
approximately one hour to complete.
Each monthly email attesting to the
continued need for the EA waiver is
expected to take 15 minutes to
complete.
Section 18(b) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended,
requires that, ‘‘In any fiscal year, the
Secretary shall limit the value of those
allotments issued to an amount not in
excess of the appropriation for such
fiscal year.’’ Because the EA waiver
increases the monthly benefit of
participants above the amount originally
anticipated for this fiscal year, the
amount of benefits issued and redeemed
must be carefully tracked to ensure FNS
does not exceed its appropriation. As
such, it is necessary for FNS to collect
information from State agencies
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 167 (Thursday, August 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52942-52945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18860]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: FNS Information
Collection Needs due to COVID-19
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment
on this proposed information collection. This collection is an
Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 26, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Comments will be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov, and follow the online
instructions for submitting comments electronically.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of this information collection should be directed to Melissa
Abelev at [email protected], or 703-305-2134.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the
proposed
[[Page 52943]]
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 use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Title: FNS Information Collection Needs due to COVID-19.
Form Number:
OMB Number: 0584-0654.
Expiration Date: November 31, 2020.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Abstract: As the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is responding to
the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, it is implementing a number of
waivers and program adjustments to ensure Americans in need can access
nutrition assistance during the crisis while maintaining recommended
social distancing practices. Two pieces of legislation have detailed
many of the program adjustments available to FNS. The Families First
Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (PL 116-127) and the Coronavirus Aid,
Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (PL 116-136) provided a
number of program adjustments and additional funding, respectively. The
programs' authorizing legislation also allows for some waivers and
flexibilities. The statutes describing these waivers and flexibilities
also have reporting requirements. The Department obtained approval
through an emergency clearance to collect the information as described
in this Notice (OMB-0854-0654; expiration 11/30/2020). USDA anticipates
the need to collect the data beyond the expiration date and is seeking
approval of this Information Collection Request in order to meet the
continuing information collection and reporting requirements detailed
in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, as well as
program administration needs to implement the CARES Act of 2020.
Section 2302(a)(2) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
of 2020 (FFCRA), enacted March 18, 2020, allows the Department of
Agriculture to adjust, at the request of State agencies or by guidance
in consultation with one or more State agencies, issuance methods and
application and reporting requirements under the Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008, as amended, (FNA) to be consistent with what is practicable
under actual conditions in affected areas. Section 2302(c) of FFCRA
requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report to Congress
following the end of the public health emergency, including a
description of the measures taken to address the food security needs of
affected populations during the emergency, including any information or
data supporting State agency requests, among other information not
included in this information collection (IC).
Further, Section 2203(a)(1) allows State agencies administering the
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
(WIC) to request a waiver of 17(d)(3)(C)(i) of the Child Nutrition Act
of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(3)(C)(i)), which requires applicants be
physically present in the clinic. Local agencies are required to submit
a report detailing the use and benefits of this waiver within one year
of use of such waiver, and State agencies are required to submit a
summary report of local agency usage of waivers under this Section
within 18 months. Section 2204(a)(1) gives State agencies administering
WIC and the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) the opportunity
to request a waiver or modification of qualified regulatory
requirements from USDA if such requirements cannot be met due to COVID-
19, and such waivers are necessary to provide assistance to WIC and WIC
FMNP participants. State agencies are also required under this Section
to provide a report to USDA no later than one year after such waivers
were granted, detailing their use of the waiver and how it improved
services to women, infants and children.
In addition, Title II of the FFRCA allows a number of adjustments
to the Child Nutrition Programs and with those adjustments requires the
States to report to the Secretary of Agriculture how they used the
waivers and whether they improved services to children. In order to
comply with the requirements of the FFRCA, FNS will ask the States to
report the required data points on existing FNS forms. These data will
be collected electronically using the existing remarks fields in the
FNS Food Program Reporting System (FPRS).
In all the instances described above, the information collection
includes burden on State agencies for requesting waivers due to COVID-
19 and reporting to FNS evaluation data on how the waiver has impacted
State operations, which is a requirement on States in FFRCA.
Additionally, FNS is asking State agencies to report the USDA
commodities used during a disaster on a more frequent basis. This
information is currently collected in an OMB approved form, the FNS-
292A, Report of Commodity Distribution for Disaster Relief (OMB Control
Number 0584-0594 Food Programs Reporting System, expiration July 31,
2023). State distributing agencies may release commodity or donated
foods procured by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to disaster
organizations to provide nutritional assistance to disaster victims.
Under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 7 CFR 250.69(f), State
distributing agencies shall provide a summary report to FNS within 45
days following termination of the disaster assistance, and maintain
records of these reports and other information relating to disasters.
OMB approved in an emergency collection (OMB 0584-0654, expiration 11/
30/2020) for FNS to change the frequency of the collection of the
commodity reports from 45 days after the completion of the disaster, to
a weekly basis. This change was requested due to the number of requests
and the burden of the FNS regional offices. Additionally, this request
is being requested in order for FNS Food Distribution (FD) staff to
monitor levels of USDA commodities more frequently to ensure States
have access to USDA commodities in the coming weeks.
Affected Public: State, Local and Tribal Government: Respondent
groups identified include: (1) State agencies and Indian Tribal
Organizations that operate USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs; (2)
Local WIC Agencies.
Estimated Number of Respondents: The total estimated number of
respondents is 2,068. This includes: 53 SNAP State Agencies who will
submit Waiver information, evaluation information, and weekly
operational updates; 89 WIC State program staff who will submit waiver
information; 89 WIC State program staff who will submit evaluation
information; 49 Farmers Market Nutrition Program Staff who will submit
waiver information; 49 Farmers Market Nutrition Program Staff who will
submit evaluation information; 56 Child Nutrition Program staff who
will submit information on form FNS10; 57 Child Nutrition Program staff
who will submit information on FNS44; 53 Child Nutrition Program staff
who will submit information on FNS418; 60 Food Distribution State
program staff who will submit information on FNS292A; and 1808 WIC
Local Agency Program
[[Page 52944]]
staff who will submit information on an evaluation survey.
As shown in the respondent burden table below (Table 1), FNS
anticipates two types of respondents: State Government workers and
Local Government workers at WIC agencies. Together, their reporting
burden is 26,386 burden hours. Note that the estimates below assume
data collection over twelve months, though they will be revised should
the Public Health Crisis timeline differ.
SNAP State Program Staff will have two types of burden:
Waivers: FNS anticipates up to 3 waivers requests per
month per State agency. SNAP Program Staff in 53 State Agencies will
submit approximately 3 waiver requests per month. Each waiver will take
about 10 hours to complete for a total of 19,080 burden hours. (53
State Agency Staff * 3 waivers per months * 12 months (36 waiver
request) = 1,908 responses * 10 hours = 19,080 burden hours)
Data Reports: SNAP Program Staff in 53 State Agencies will
submit 3 data reports, reporting on the evaluation data required by
FFRCA. It will take them about 3 hours to report the data in the data
reports for a total of 159 burden hours. (53 State Agency Staff * 3
data reports = 159 responses * 3 hours = 477 burden hours).
Weekly Operational Update: SNAP program staff in 53 State
Agencies will submit 1 weekly update to their FNS Regional Offices.
Each update will take approximately 1 hour to complete. (53 State
agencies * 52 weekly reports = 2,756 annual responses * 1 hour per
response = 2,756 burden hours).
WIC State Program Staff will have two types of burden:
Waivers: FNS anticipates up to 40 waiver opportunities
under the Public Health Emergency. Each state will request about 14
waivers. Each waiver request will take about 15 minutes to complete for
a total of 311.5 burden hours. (89 State Agency Staff * 14 waivers =
1,246 responses * .25 hours = 311.5 burden hours)
Evaluation Information: WIC Program Staff in 89 State
Agencies will submit 1 survey, reporting on the evaluation data
required by the FFRCA. It will take them about 2 hours to complete the
survey, for a total of 178 burden hours. (89 State Agency Staff * 1
survey = 89 Responses * 2 hours = 178 burden hours)
MIS Data Pull: FNS will request states submit a data pull
from their MIS systems to help facilitate the evaluation data reporting
on the number of WIC participants affected by different waivers. (89
WIC State Agencies * 1 data pull = 89 Responses * 1.5 hours per
response = 133.5 burden hours)
FMNP State Program Staff will have two types of burden:
Waivers: FNS anticipates up to 8 waiver opportunities
under the Public Health Emergency and each state will request 4
waivers. FMNP Program Staff in 49 State Agencies will submit
approximately 4 waiver requests. Each waiver request will take about 15
minutes to complete for a total of 49 burden hours. (49 State Agency
Staff * 4 waivers = 196 responses * .25 hours = 49 burden hours)
Evaluation Information: FMNP Program Staff in 49 State
Agencies will submit 1 State Plan, reporting on the evaluation data
required by the FFRCA. It will take them about 3 hours to complete the
report, for a total of 147 burden hours. (49 State Agency Staff * 1
State Plan = 49 Responses * 3 hours = 147 burden hours)
CN State Program Staff will submit data on three types of existing
FNS Forms:
FNS10: CN Program staff in 56 States will submit
information on an existing FNS form in the remarks section. They will
enter the data monthly for the 30-day report and for the 90-day report
for two submissions per month. It will take about 15 minutes to
complete for a total of 336 burden hours. (56 State Agency Staff * 24
submissions = 1,344 responses * .25 hours = 336 burden hours)
FNS44: CN Program staff in 57 States will submit
information on an existing FNS form in the remarks section. They will
enter the data monthly. It will take about 15 minutes to complete for a
total of 171 burden hours. (57 State Agency Staff * 12 submissions =
684 responses * .25 hours = 171 burden hours).
FNS418: CN Program staff in 53 States will submit
information on an existing FNS form in the remarks section. They will
enter the data monthly. It will take about 15 minutes to complete for a
total of 159 burden hours. (53 State Agency Staff * 12 submissions =
636 responses * .25 hours = 159 burden hours).
Food Distribution State program Staff will have one type of burden:
FNS292A: Food Distribution Program Staff in 60 State
Agencies will submit form FNS292A 52 times (weekly over twelve months)
This is an increase in burden for an existing, approved form. It will
take them approximately 15 minutes to complete the form each time for a
total of 780 burden hours. (60 State Agency Staff * 52 submissions =
3,120 responses * .25 hours = 780 burden hours).
WIC Local Government Agency Staff: Local Agency staff in 1,808
Local WIC agencies will submit 1 survey to FNS. It will take 1 hour to
complete and submit the report for a total of 1,808 burden hours (1,808
Local Agency staff * 1 submission = 1,808 responses * 1 hours = 1,808
burden hours)
Pamilyn Miller,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
Table 1--Respondent Burden Table
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Type of Number of Frequency of Total annual Hours per Annual burden
Respondent category respondents Instruments respondents response responses response (hours)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Gov....................... SNAP State Program Waiver............ 53 36 1,908 10 19,080
SNAP State Program Data Reports...... 53 3 159 3 477
SNAP State Agency. Weekly Operational 53 52 2,756 1 2,756
Update.
WIC State Program Waiver............ 89 14 1,246 0.25 311.5
Staff.
WIC State Program Evaluation Survey. 89 1 89 2 178
Staff.
WIC State Program MIS Data Pull..... 89 1 89 1.5 133.5
Staff.
FMNP State Program Waiver............ 49 4 196 0.25 49
Staff.
FMNP State Program Evaluation Info... 49 1 49 3 147
Staff.
CN State Program Form: FNS10....... 56 24 1,344 0.25 336
Staff.
Form: FNS44....... 57 12 684 0.25 171
Form: FNS418...... 53 12 636 0.25 159
[[Page 52945]]
Food Dist. State Form: FNS292A..... 60 52 3,120 0.25 780
Program.
Local Government................ WIC Local Agency Report to State... 1,808 1 1,808 1 1,808
Program Staff.
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0 0.25 0
Respondent Total............ .................. .................. 2,066 6.817 14,084 1.873 26,386
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[FR Doc. 2020-18860 Filed 8-26-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
