Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Emergency Allotments (COVID-19), 71294-71296 [2022-25410]
Download as PDF
71294
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 224 / Tuesday, November 22, 2022 / Notices
and wasted, at about 2 pounds per
sample.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Conclusion
Based on the above studies showing
the effectiveness of cloth sampling in
recovering indicator organisms and
pathogens and the resources saved by
FSIS, the Agency plans to move forward
with using cloth sampling in lieu of N60
excision sampling on beef
manufacturing trimmings and bench
trim. FSIS also anticipates saving
resources by adopting this change.
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil
rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights
regulations and policies, USDA, its
Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices,
employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA
programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, gender
identity (including gender expression),
sexual orientation, disability, age,
marital status, family/parental status,
income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity,
in any program or activity conducted or
funded by USDA (not all bases apply to
all programs). Remedies and complaint
filing deadlines vary by program or
incident.
Program information may be made
available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means of
communication to obtain program
information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language)
should contact the responsible Mission
Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA
TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600
(voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay
Service at (800) 877–8339.
To file a program discrimination
complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD–3027, USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint
Form, which can be obtained online at
https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/
ad-3027, from any USDA office, by
calling (866) 632–9992, or by writing a
letter addressed to USDA. The letter
must contain the complainant’s name,
address, telephone number, and a
written description of the alleged
discriminatory action in sufficient detail
to inform the Assistant Secretary for
Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature
and date of an alleged civil rights
violation. The completed AD–3027 form
or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:48 Nov 21, 2022
Jkt 259001
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–9410; or
(2) Fax: (833) 256–1665 or (202) 690–
7442; or
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov
USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
Additional Public Notification
Public awareness of all segments of
rulemaking and policy development is
important. Consequently, FSIS will
announce this Federal Register
publication on-line through the FSIS
web page located at: https://
www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
FSIS will also announce and provide
a link to it through the FSIS Constituent
Update, which is used to provide
information regarding FSIS policies,
procedures, regulations, Federal
Register notices, FSIS public meetings,
and other types of information that
could affect or would be of interest to
our constituents and stakeholders. The
Constituent Update is available on the
FSIS web page. Through the web page,
FSIS is able to provide information to a
much broader, more diverse audience.
In addition, FSIS offers an email
subscription service which provides
automatic and customized access to
selected food safety news and
information. This service is available at:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe.
Options range from recalls to export
information, regulations, directives, and
notices. Customers can add or delete
subscriptions themselves and have the
option to password protect their
accounts.
Done at Washington, DC.
Paul Kiecker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2022–25333 Filed 11–21–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program Emergency
Allotments (COVID–19)
Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS), 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, without
change, of a currently approved
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
collection for activities associated with
administering emergency allotments
(EA) waivers. The Families First
Coronavirus Response Act of 2020,
enacted March 18, 2020, includes a
general provision that allows the
Department of Agriculture to issue EA
waivers 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.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before January 23, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to:
Erica Kain, Food and Nutrition Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1320
Braddock Place, 5th Floor, Alexandria,
VA 22314; or by phone at (312) 339–
1939. Comments may also be submitted
via email to
SM.FN.SNAP.Issuance.Policy@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 Erica Kain at
SM.FN.SNAP.Issuance.Policy@usda.gov;
or by phone at (312) 339–1939.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.
Title: Agency Information Collection
Activities: Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program Emergency
Allotments (COVID–19).
OMB Number: 0584–0652.
Expiration Date: 8/31/2023.
E:\FR\FM\22NON1.SGM
22NON1
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 224 / Tuesday, November 22, 2022 / Notices
Type of Request: Extension, without
change, of a currently approved
collection.
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. In January 2021, the
Department obtained Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
approval to collect the information as
described in this Notice for a period of
one year (OMB Control Number 0584–
0652; expiration 1/31/2022). The
President’s Executive Order on
Economic Relief Related to the COVID–
19 Pandemic, issued January 22, 2021,
directed all Federal agencies to consider
administrative actions to better address
the current economic crisis resulting
from the pandemic. FNS reviewed
existing EA policy and issued updated
State guidance 1 on April 1, 2021,
outlining a new approach to calculating
EA that provides greater equity for
households most in need. The April
2021 guidance superseded previous
guidance issued in March 2020 and
April 2020. In addition to outlining a
new EA minimum benefit policy, the
April 2021 guidance described an EA
phase-out request States may use when
their State-level emergency declaration
expiration date is imminent. The State
agency process for requesting EA, as
outlined in the April 2021 guidance,
now includes an attestation requirement
confirming that the State’s emergency or
disaster declaration remains active
when requesting EA. On May 21, 2021,
FNS provided further operational
guidance to SNAP State Agencies and
Regional Offices in a Q&A document
provided in response to questions raised
during webinars based on the April 1,
2021 guidance.2 FNS reiterated April 1,
2021 guidance in a memorandum dated
December 14, 2021, in which FNS
described the EA phase-out process.3
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
1 https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/
files/resource-files/snap-covid-emergencyallotments-phase-3-guidance.pdf.
2 https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/
resource-files/EA%20QAs_5_20_2021_FINAL.pdf.
3 https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/
resource-files/snap-ea-information-end-nationalphe.pdf.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:48 Nov 21, 2022
Jkt 259001
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 an EA waiver request to their
FNS Regional Office for approval to
provide an EA to households to bring all
households up to the maximum benefit
due to pandemic related economic
conditions. As outlined in the April
2021 guidance, 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.
The State agency must also confirm
that the State’s emergency or disaster
declaration remains active.
In addition, to allow for State EA
phase-out upon expiration of the State’s
emergency declaration, States may
request EA approval for one additional
issuance month if:
• The national public health
emergency declaration that was
extended on October 13, 2022, by the
Secretary for Health and Human
Services under section 319 of the Public
Health Service Act remains in place,
and
• The State-issued emergency or
disaster declaration has expired or will
expire in the current month. This will
allow a State that has lost or will lose
its declaration in the current month to
provide one additional issuance month
of EA and to notify SNAP participants
that EA benefits will be ending.
Once the State’s EA 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 and that the State
declaration remains in place. Both the
initial EA waiver and the monthly
attestation are conducted via email. FNS
expects 53 State agencies will submit
one initial EA waiver to FNS. Currently
36 State agencies are operating under an
EA waiver. Although there are currently
less than 53 States operating under an
EA waiver, it is possible that States may
have more than one declared public
health emergency over the next few
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
71295
years as COVID–19 rates ebb and flow.
For this reason, we are including hours
for the entire universe for State
agencies. We are requesting approval for
53 initial waiver requests in this IC as
a precautionary measure.
There are three reporting
requirements for this information
collection request. (1) Each initial EA
waiver submission should take
approximately one hour to complete. (2)
Each monthly email attesting to the
continued need for the EA waiver is
expected to take 15 minutes to
complete. FNS expects that any phaseout request, as outlined in the April
2021 guidance, would be included in
the email as part of the monthly
attestation process; the indication of
phase-out would simply signal the end
of that State’s need for EA and, thus,
monthly attestations. The phase out
request is expected to take 1 minute of
the 15 minutes estimated for monthly
attestation; therefore, no additional
burden is estimated for phase-out
requests.
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
operating EA on a more frequent basis
than would be reported normally.
Generally, States report disaster-related
SNAP participation and issuance data to
FNS on the FNS–292B, Report of
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Benefit Issuance, within 45
days of terminating disaster assistance.
While a State is operating under an
EA waiver, (3) FNS requires the State to
submit bi-weekly FNS–292B reports.
The burden for a State agency to submit
FNS–292B reports during normal
operations is currently captured under
the information collection for the Food
Programs Reporting System (FPRS),
OMB Control Number 0584–0594
(expiration date 7/31/2023). However,
FNS is accounting for the additional
burden used for EA in this request and
including the burden for submitting this
form more frequently under this
information collection and is not
duplicating the burden efforts for the
routine normal operations captured in
the FPRS collection.
E:\FR\FM\22NON1.SGM
22NON1
71296
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 224 / Tuesday, November 22, 2022 / Notices
• FNS–292B—Takes States
approximately 24 minutes or 0.4008
hours per response × 53 State Agencies
× 26 weeks = 552.30 hours.
Affected Public: State, Local and
Tribal Governments.
Instruments
Form
State Agencies ...
Bi-weekly EA Reporting to FNS .....................
Initial Waiver Request—Emergency Allotment.
Monthly EA Attestation (including Phase-Out
Requests).
FNS–292B
N/A ...........
53
53
26
1
1,378
53
0.4008
1
552.20
53
N/A ...........
53
12
636
0.25
159
.........................................................................
..................
53
39
2,067
0.36976294
764.30
Tameka Owens,
Assistant Administrator, Food and Nutrition
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–25410 Filed 11–21–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Notice of Public Meeting of the
Minnesota Advisory Committee to the
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights.
ACTION: Announcement of virtual
business meeting.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, that
the Minnesota Advisory Committee
(Committee) to the U.S. Commission on
Civil Rights will hold a virtual business
meeting via Zoom at 1 p.m. CT on
Monday, December 12, 2022, to discuss
the next topic of study for the
Committee.
SUMMARY:
The meeting will take place on
Monday, December 12, 2022, from 1
p.m.–2 p.m. CT.
ADDRESSES:
Registration Link (Audio/Visual):
https://tinyurl.com/ydpn2ar2.
Telephone (Audio Only): Dial (833)
435–1820 USA Toll Free; Meeting ID:
161 885 1683.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Barreras, DFO, at dbarreras@
usccr.gov or (202) 656–8937.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Committee meetings are available to the
public through the videoconference link
above. Any interested member of the
public may listen to the meeting. An
open comment period will be provided
to allow members of the public to make
a statement as time allows. Per the
Federal Advisory Committee Act,
DATES:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:48 Nov 21, 2022
Jkt 259001
Number of
respondents
Estimated Time per Response:
0.36976294 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 764.30.
Respondent category
Total ............
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Estimated Number of Respondents:
53.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 39.
Estimated Total Annual Responses:
2,067.
Frequency of
response
members of the public who wish to
speak during public comment must
provide their name to the Commission;
however, if a member of the public
wishes to join anonymously, we ask that
you please join by phone. If joining via
phone, callers can expect to incur
regular charges for calls they initiate
over wireless lines, according to their
wireless plan. The Commission will not
refund any incurred charges. Closed
captions will be provided for
individuals who are deaf, deafblind, or
hard of hearing. To request additional
accommodations, please email
dbarreras@usccr.gov at least 10 business
days prior to the meeting.
Members of the public are also
entitled to submit written comments;
the comments must be received in the
regional office within 30 days following
the meeting. Written comments may be
emailed to Liliana Schiller at lschiller@
usccr.gov. Persons who desire
additional information may contact the
Regional Programs Coordination Unit at
(202) 809–9618.
Records generated from this meeting
may be inspected and reproduced at the
Regional Programs Coordination Unit,
as they become available, both before
and after the meeting. Records of the
meeting will be available via
www.facadatabase.gov under the
Commission on Civil Rights, Minnesota
Advisory Committee link. Persons
interested in the work of this Committee
are directed to the Commission’s
website, https://www.usccr.gov, or may
contact the Regional Programs
Coordination Unit at the above phone
number.
Agenda
I. Welcome & Roll Call
II. Approval of Meeting Minutes
III. Discussion: Civil Rights Concerns in
Minnesota
IV. Public Comment
V. Next Steps
VI. Adjournment
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Total annual
responses
Hours per
response
Annual burden
(hours)
Dated: November 17, 2022.
David Mussatt,
Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
[FR Doc. 2022–25424 Filed 11–21–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6335–01–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Notice of Public Meeting of the Guam
Advisory Committee to the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights
U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights.
ACTION: Announcement of virtual
business meeting.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, that
the Guam Advisory Committee
(Committee) to the U.S. Commission on
Civil Rights will hold a virtual business
meeting via Zoom at 11 a.m. ChST on
Tuesday, December 6, 2022, (8 p.m. ET
on Monday, December 5, 2022) to
continue discussing the Committee’s
project on housing discrimination.
DATES: The meeting will take place on
Tuesday, December 6, 2022, from 11
a.m.–12:30 p.m. ChST (Monday,
December 5, 2022, from 8 p.m.–9:30
p.m. ET).
ADDRESSES:
Registration Link (Audio/Visual):
https://tinyurl.com/34srpuwj.
Telephone (Audio Only): Dial (833)
435–1820 USA Toll Free; Meeting ID:
160 583 8340.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kayla Fajota, DFO, at kfajota@usccr.gov
or (434) 515–2395.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Committee meetings are available to the
public through the videoconference link
above. Any interested member of the
public may listen to the meeting. An
open comment period will be provided
to allow members of the public to make
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\22NON1.SGM
22NON1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 22, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71294-71296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25410]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program Emergency Allotments (COVID-19)
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), 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, without change, of a currently approved collection for
activities associated with administering emergency allotments (EA)
waivers. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, enacted
March 18, 2020, includes a general provision that allows the Department
of Agriculture to issue EA waivers 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.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 23, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Erica Kain, Food and Nutrition
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place, 5th
Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314; or by phone at (312) 339-1939. Comments
may also be submitted via email to [email protected].
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 Erica Kain
at [email protected]; or by phone at (312) 339-1939.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program Emergency Allotments (COVID-19).
OMB Number: 0584-0652.
Expiration Date: 8/31/2023.
[[Page 71295]]
Type of Request: Extension, without change, of a currently approved
collection.
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. In January 2021, the
Department obtained Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to
collect the information as described in this Notice for a period of one
year (OMB Control Number 0584-0652; expiration 1/31/2022). The
President's Executive Order on Economic Relief Related to the COVID-19
Pandemic, issued January 22, 2021, directed all Federal agencies to
consider administrative actions to better address the current economic
crisis resulting from the pandemic. FNS reviewed existing EA policy and
issued updated State guidance \1\ on April 1, 2021, outlining a new
approach to calculating EA that provides greater equity for households
most in need. The April 2021 guidance superseded previous guidance
issued in March 2020 and April 2020. In addition to outlining a new EA
minimum benefit policy, the April 2021 guidance described an EA phase-
out request States may use when their State-level emergency declaration
expiration date is imminent. The State agency process for requesting
EA, as outlined in the April 2021 guidance, now includes an attestation
requirement confirming that the State's emergency or disaster
declaration remains active when requesting EA. On May 21, 2021, FNS
provided further operational guidance to SNAP State Agencies and
Regional Offices in a Q&A document provided in response to questions
raised during webinars based on the April 1, 2021 guidance.\2\ FNS
reiterated April 1, 2021 guidance in a memorandum dated December 14,
2021, in which FNS described the EA phase-out process.\3\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/resource-files/snap-covid-emergency-allotments-phase-3-guidance.pdf.
\2\ https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/EA%20QAs_5_20_2021_FINAL.pdf.
\3\ https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/snap-ea-information-end-national-phe.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As authorized by Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020,
State agencies impacted by COVID-19 may submit an EA waiver request to
their FNS Regional Office for approval to provide an EA to households
to bring all households up to the maximum benefit due to pandemic
related economic conditions. As outlined in the April 2021 guidance,
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.
The State agency must also confirm that the State's emergency or
disaster declaration remains active.
In addition, to allow for State EA phase-out upon expiration of the
State's emergency declaration, States may request EA approval for one
additional issuance month if:
The national public health emergency declaration that was
extended on October 13, 2022, by the Secretary for Health and Human
Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act remains in
place, and
The State-issued emergency or disaster declaration has
expired or will expire in the current month. This will allow a State
that has lost or will lose its declaration in the current month to
provide one additional issuance month of EA and to notify SNAP
participants that EA benefits will be ending.
Once the State's EA 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 and that the State declaration
remains in place. Both the initial EA waiver and the monthly
attestation are conducted via email. FNS expects 53 State agencies will
submit one initial EA waiver to FNS. Currently 36 State agencies are
operating under an EA waiver. Although there are currently less than 53
States operating under an EA waiver, it is possible that States may
have more than one declared public health emergency over the next few
years as COVID-19 rates ebb and flow. For this reason, we are including
hours for the entire universe for State agencies. We are requesting
approval for 53 initial waiver requests in this IC as a precautionary
measure.
There are three reporting requirements for this information
collection request. (1) Each initial EA waiver submission should take
approximately one hour to complete. (2) Each monthly email attesting to
the continued need for the EA waiver is expected to take 15 minutes to
complete. FNS expects that any phase-out request, as outlined in the
April 2021 guidance, would be included in the email as part of the
monthly attestation process; the indication of phase-out would simply
signal the end of that State's need for EA and, thus, monthly
attestations. The phase out request is expected to take 1 minute of the
15 minutes estimated for monthly attestation; therefore, no additional
burden is estimated for phase-out requests.
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 operating EA on a more frequent basis than would be
reported normally. Generally, States report disaster-related SNAP
participation and issuance data to FNS on the FNS-292B, Report of
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefit Issuance, within 45
days of terminating disaster assistance.
While a State is operating under an EA waiver, (3) FNS requires the
State to submit bi-weekly FNS-292B reports. The burden for a State
agency to submit FNS-292B reports during normal operations is currently
captured under the information collection for the Food Programs
Reporting System (FPRS), OMB Control Number 0584-0594 (expiration date
7/31/2023). However, FNS is accounting for the additional burden used
for EA in this request and including the burden for submitting this
form more frequently under this information collection and is not
duplicating the burden efforts for the routine normal operations
captured in the FPRS collection.
[[Page 71296]]
FNS-292B--Takes States approximately 24 minutes or 0.4008
hours per response x 53 State Agencies x 26 weeks = 552.30 hours.
Affected Public: State, Local and Tribal Governments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 53.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 39.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 2,067.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.36976294 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 764.30.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Frequency of Total annual Hours per Annual burden
Respondent category Instruments Form respondents response responses response (hours)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Agencies......... Bi-weekly EA Reporting to FNS-292B............ 53 26 1,378 0.4008 552.20
FNS.
Initial Waiver Request-- N/A................. 53 1 53 1 53
Emergency Allotment.
Monthly EA Attestation N/A................. 53 12 636 0.25 159
(including Phase-Out
Requests).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.............. ......................... .................... 53 39 2,067 0.36976294 764.30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tameka Owens,
Assistant Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-25410 Filed 11-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P