[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 232 (Monday, December 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63817-63818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30553]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Consumer Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request: Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Food Stamp Program 
(FSP) Joint Processing Alternatives Demonstration Evaluation

AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Food and Consumer Service's (FCS) intent to 
request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review of the data 
collection for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Food Stamp 
Program (FSP) Joint Processing Alternatives Demonstration Evaluation.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 31, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information will 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 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

[[Page 63818]]

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 may be 
sent to: Michael E. Fishman, Acting Director, Office of Analysis and 
Evaluation, Food and Consumer Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will be a matter of public 
record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael E. Fishman, (703) 305-2017.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: SSI/FSP Joint Processing Alternatives Demonstration 
Evaluation.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Expiration Date: N/A.
    Type of Request: New collection of information.
    Abstract: The SSI/FSP joint processing alternative demonstration in 
South Carolina seeks to improve the delivery of food assistance to 
elderly and disabled SSI recipients by using a single application and 
information source to facilitate the participation of SSI clients in 
the Food Stamp Program. The demonstration evaluation will provide 
information on how the demonstration changes from normal program 
requirements affect FSP participation and benefits, FSP and SSI 
administrative costs, timeliness and accuracy of application 
processing, and client satisfaction.
    The evaluation's data collection consists of two telephone-
interview surveys: (1) Interviews with randomly-selected respondents 
from three groups of SSI applicants (demonstration participants, 
demonstration-eligible clients who receive food stamps through regular 
processing, and demonstration-eligible clients who do not receive food 
stamps) to assess client satisfaction; and (2) interviews with both FSP 
and SSI program managers and caseworkers to measure the effectiveness 
of the demonstration from their perspectives.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 20 minutes for the clients and 30 
minutes for the staff.
    Respondents: For the client survey, the client or a designated 
proxy, if the selected respondent is incapable of answering the 
questions directly due to disabilities which prevent a coherent 
interview, will serve as the interview respondent. For the staff 
survey, program managers and caseworkers knowledgeable about the 
demonstration will serve as the interview respondent.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: There will be 1,200 (400 for each 
subgroup) respondents for the client survey and 24 (8 program managers 
and 16 caseworkers) respondents for the staff survey.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 412 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Diana 
Perez, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, Food and Consumer Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 
22302.

    Dated: November 12, 1996.
William E. Ludwig,
Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
[FR Doc. 96-30553 Filed 11-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-U