Proposed Information Collection Activity; U.S. Repatriation Program Forms (OMB#: 0970-0474), 6569-6571 [2022-02374]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Administration for Children and Families

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 24 (Friday, February 4, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6569-6571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02374]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Proposed Information Collection Activity; U.S. Repatriation 
Program Forms (OMB#: 0970-0474)

AGENCY: Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response, 
Administration for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION: Request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is 
requesting a 3-year extension of the U.S. Repatriation Program forms 
(OMB #0970-0474, expiration 4/30/2022). There are several changes 
requested to the eight forms. Burden estimates have also been updated.

DATES: Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ACF is 
soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information 
collection described above.

ADDRESSES: You can obtain copies of the proposed collection of 
information and submit comments by emailing [email protected]. 
Identify all requests by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Description: The purpose of the U.S. Repatriation Program (Program) 
is to provide temporary assistance to eligible U.S. citizens and their 
dependents (repatriates) returned by the Department of State from a 
foreign country because of destitution, illness, war, threat of war, or 
a similar crisis, and who are without available resources, or (2) 
mental illness. Temporary assistance is provided upon their arrival in 
the United States and is available initially for up to 90 days from a 
repatriate's date of arrival in the United States. Temporary assistance 
is provided in the form of a service loan and is repayable to the U.S. 
Government.
    Temporary assistance is defined in 42 U.S.C. 1313(c) as money 
payments, medical care, temporary lodging, transportation, and other 
goods and services necessary for the health or welfare of individuals, 
including guidance, counseling, and other welfare services provided to 
them within the United States upon their arrival in the United States. 
Other goods and services may include clothes, food, assistance with 
obtaining identification (driver's license, birth certificate), child 
care, and translation services.
    The ACF Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and 
Response (OHSEPR), at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS), administers the Program.
    OHSEPR made changes to all eight forms to ensure the information 
collected aligns with Program statutes and regulations as well as the 
purpose and use of the form. Revisions include clarifying statutory 
authority and general instructions on completing and submitting the 
forms. These changes make the forms more user friendly. OHSEPR also 
reduced the burden estimates to make them more accurate.
    The following is a description of the forms and the proposed 
revisions:

Emergency Repatriation Eligibility Application (Form RR-01)

    The purpose of this form is for U.S. citizens and their dependents 
to request temporary assistance during an emergency repatriation. 
Proposed revisions include the following:

 Changing the title of the form from `Emergency and Group 
Processing Form' to `Emergency Repatriation Eligibility Application'
 Adding the following information:
    [cir] Date and time of applicant's entry and exit to the Emergency 
Repatriation Center
    [cir] Applicant's flight information
    [cir] Name and contact information for responsible person (if main 
U.S. citizen applicant is a minor)
    [cir] Gender option (X) for applicant and dependents to align with 
Department of State gender information on passports
    [cir] Option for applicants and dependents to provide alternative 
ID number (instead of passport number)
    [cir] Needs assessment section to determine applicant's needs
    [cir] Details about quantity of temporary assistance requested
    [cir] Language to signatory block to specify the meaning of signing 
the form
    [cir] Materials/information provided to the repatriate
 Removing eligibility determination question regarding 
availability of next of kin/friends to provide resources

Emergency Repatriation Reimbursement Request (Form RR-02)

    The purpose of this form is for states to request reimbursement for 
emergency repatriation expenditures. Proposed revisions include the 
following:

 Changing the title of the form from `Emergency and Group 
Repatriation Financial Form' to `Emergency Repatriation Reimbursement 
Request'
 Modifying information about location of service provision

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 Adding planning/training/exercise as a category for 
reimbursement
 Clarifying instructions on documentation for allowable costs

Loan Waiver and Deferal Application (Form RR-03)

    The purpose of this form is for repatriates to request a waiver or 
deferral of their loan for temporary assistance received through the 
U.S. Repatriation Program. Proposed revisions include the following:

 Changing the title of the form from `Repatriation Loan Waiver 
and Deferral Request Form' to `Loan Waiver and Deferral Application'
 Separating fixed monthly expenses from loans and liabilities
 Adding the following information:
    [cir] Repatriate's type of current housing
    [cir] Employer's email address
    [cir] Option for repatriate to include additional employment
    [cir] Assets such as checking/savings accounts
    [cir] Language to signatory block to specify the meaning of signing 
this form
    [cir] Name, relationship to repatriate, and contact information for 
authorized representative
 Removing Social Security Number (SSN) for dependents

Routine Repatriation Reimbursement Request (Form RR-04)

    The purpose of this form is for state and local service providers 
to submit reimbursement requests for providing temporary assistance to 
repatriates under the U.S. Repatriation Program. Proposed revisions 
include the following:

 Changing the title of the form from `Non-Emergency Monthly 
Financial Statement Form' to `Routine Repatriation Reimbursement 
Request'
 Clarifying instructions on documentation for allowable costs
 Revising language on signatory block to specify the meaning of 
signing this form
 Removing these items:
    [cir] State or local provider's recommendation for waiver approval
    [cir] SSN for dependents

Repatriation Repayment and Privacy Agreement (Form RR-05)

    The purpose of this form is for repatriates to agree to accept 
temporary assistance under the U.S. Repatriation Program, to agree to 
repay HHS for temporary assistance, and to allow HHS to share personal 
information for benefits purposes. Proposed revisions include the 
following:

 Changing the title of the form from `Privacy and Repayment 
Agreement Form' to `Repatriation Repayment and Privacy Agreement'
 Revising language on signatory block to specify the meaning of 
signing the form
 Clarifying that the Privacy Act Statement applies to 
Repatriation forms that collect personal identifiable information
 Adding voluntary demographic questions to align with Executive 
Order 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 
Communities Through the Federal Government)
 Adding instructions on completing the form

Refusal of Temporary Assistance (Form RR-06)

    The purpose of this form is for repatriates to refuse to accept 
temporary assistance under the U.S. Repatriation Program after 
receiving information about the Program. Proposed revisions include 
adding the following:

 Instructions on completing the form
 The country the repatriate returned from

Temporary Assistance Extension Request (Form RR-07)

    The purpose of this form is for repatriates to request an extension 
of temporary assistance beyond the initial 90-day eligibility period. 
Proposed revisions include the following:

 Removing these items:
    [cir] SSN for dependents
    [cir] ``other reasons'' as an option for justification of request
 Adding these items:
    [cir] Authorized representative information
    [cir] Sections on household income, fixed monthly expenses, and 
loans and liabilities
    [cir] Language on signatory block to specify meaning of signing 
this form

Emergency Repatriation Request for Cost Approval and Federal Support 
(Form RR-08)

    The purpose of this form is for states to request pre-approval for 
costs or federal support for an emergency repatriation. Proposed 
revisions include the following:

 Changing the title of the form from `State Request for Federal 
Support' to `Emergency Repatriation Request for Cost Approval and 
Federal Support'
 Adding separate sections for description and justification of 
cost pre-approvals and federal support requests
 Modifying section on Federal official's determination of 
state's request

    Respondents: States, territories, local social service providers, 
administrative staff, repatriates, and authorized representatives of 
repatriates.

                                             Annual Burden Estimates
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                                                                  Annual number   Average burden
                   Instrument                     Total number     of responses      hours per     Annual burden
                                                 of respondents   per respondent     response          hours
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Emergency Repatriation Eligibility Application.           1,000                1              .5             500
Emergency Repatriation Reimbursement Request...              10                1              .3               3
Loan Waiver and Deferral Application...........             100                1              .5              50
Routine Repatriation Reimbursement Request.....              25               10              .3              75
Repatriation Repayment and Privacy Agreement...             800                1             .17             136
Refusal of Temporary Assistance................             300                1             .05              15
Temporary Assistance and Extension Request.....              25                1              .3               8
Emergency Repatriation Request for Cost                       5               10              .3              15
 Approval and Federal Support..................
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    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 802.
    Comments: The Department specifically requests comments on (a) 
whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether 
the

[[Page 6571]]

information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection 
of information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 
Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted 
within 60 days of this publication.
    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1313, 24 U.S.C. 321-329.

Mary B. Jones,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-02374 Filed 2-3-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-PL-P