Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 19567-19568 [2024-05759]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19567-19568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05759]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    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 April 
18, 2024 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 displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Employment and Training Opportunities in the Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0653.
    Summary of Collection: In accordance with section 6(d)(4)(B)(i) of 
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (FNA), as amended, and Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations at 7 CFR 273.7(e)(1) 
requires State agencies to provide case management services, such as 
comprehensive intake assessments, individualized service plans, 
progress monitoring or coordination with service providers to all SNAP 
Employment and Training (E&T) participants. SNAP Employment and 
Training Opportunities: The State E&T program must provide case 
management services such as comprehensive intake assessments, 
individualized service plans, progress monitoring, or coordination with 
service providers which are provided to all E&T participants. Case 
management services and activities must directly support an 
individual's participation in the E&T program and may include referrals 
to activities and supports outside of the E&T program, but State 
agencies can only use E&T funds for allowable components, activities, 
and participant reimbursements. The provision of case management 
services must not be an impediment to the participant's successful 
participation in E&T. If it's determined by case manager a mandatory 
E&T participant may meet an exemption from the requirement to 
participate in an E&T program, may have good cause for non-compliance 
with a work requirement, or both, the case manager must inform the 
appropriate State agency staff. Also, if the case manager is unable to 
identify an appropriate and available opening in an E&T component for a 
mandatory E&T participant, the case manager must inform the appropriate 
State agency staff.
    To be considered acceptable by FNS, any component offered by a 
State agency must entail a certain level of effort by the participants. 
FNS may

[[Page 19568]]

approve components that do not meet this guideline if it determines 
that such components will advance program goals. The State agency may 
require SNAP applicants to participate in any component it offers in 
its E&T program at the time of application. The State agency must 
screen applicants to determine if it is appropriate to participate in 
E&T in accordance with 273.7(c)(2), provide the applicant with 
participant reimbursements in accordance with (d)(4) of this section, 
and inform the applicant of E&T participation requirements including 
how to access the component and consequences for failing to 
participate. The State agency must not impose requirements that would 
delay the determination of an individual's eligibility for benefits or 
in issuing benefits to any household that is otherwise eligible. In 
accordance with section 6(o)(1)(C) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 and Sec.  273.24, supervised job search and job search training, 
when offered as components of an E&T program, are not qualifying 
activities relating to the participation requirements necessary to 
fulfill the ABAWD work requirement under Sec.  273.24. However, job 
search, including supervised job search, or job search training 
activities, when offered as part of other E&T program components, are 
acceptable as long as those activities comprise less than half the 
total required time spent in the components. An E&T program offered by 
a State agency must include one or more of the following components: a 
supervised job search program, a job search training program, a 
workfare program, a work experience program, a supported work program, 
educational programs or activities to improve basic skills and build 
work readiness, and job retention services. Retention And Custody of 
Records. In accordance with Sec.  272.1(f), State agencies are required 
to retain records concerning the frequency of noncompliance with FSP 
work requirements and the resulting disqualification actions imposed. 
These records must be available for inspection and audit at any 
reasonable time to ensure conformance with the minimum mandatory 
disqualification periods instituted.
    Need and Use of the Information: The purpose of the case management 
services is to guide E&T participants towards appropriate E&T 
components and activities based on the participant's needs and 
interests, to support the participant in the E&T program and to provide 
activities and resources that will assist the participant toward self-
sufficiency. State agencies may adopt different modes for the delivery 
of case management services, such as virtual, over the telephone, in-
person or hybrid approach. This information will be used to better 
administer the SNAP E&T Program and provide improved customer service 
to SNAP E&T participants. If the Department does not require State 
agencies to conduct case management services, the Department will be 
out of compliance with Federal law.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, Tribal Government, 
Individuals, Households.
    Number of Respondents: 375,053.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Occasionally; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,431,364.

Rachelle Ragland-Greene,
Acting Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-05759 Filed 3-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P