[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 5496-5497] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-2605] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Consumer Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Determining Eligibility for Free School Meals and Milk of Children From Households Certified for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Food and Consumer Service (FCS) announces its intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review and approval of a revision in the information collections related to making eligibility determinations for free and reduced price meals and free milk in schools. The revision is the result of a statutory change extending automatic eligibility for free meals and free milk to children from families under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs. DATES: To be assured of consideration, comments must be received by April 6, 1998. ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this information collection to: Mr. Terry Hallberg, Chief, Program Analysis and Monitoring Branch, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Consumer Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1008, Alexandria, Virginia 22302. Comments are invited on the following areas: (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 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. All responses to this Notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval, and will become a matter of public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Terry Hallberg at (703) 305-2600. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: 7 CFR Part 245, Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools. OMB Number: 0584-0026. Expiration Date: 12/31/99. Type of Request: Revision of existing collection. Abstract: Section 109(g)(1)(B)(i)(I) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 amended Section 9(b)(6)(A)(ii) of the National School Lunch Act to extend automatic eligibility for free meals and free milk to children from families under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, provided the TANF standards are comparable to or more restrictive than the State's Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program standards in effect on June 1, 1995. Information is needed to meet the statutory requirement that the Secretary ensure that TANF is comparable to or more restrictive than the AFDC program in effect on June 1, 1995, in order for the State to implement automatic eligibility or direct certification procedures for children from TANF households. Because States have latitude in the way they administer TANF, the Secretary is asking States agencies, in cooperation with the agency in each State administering TANF, to make the comparison and inform the Secretary of their determination. Thereafter, State agencies would only have to notify the Secretary when the TANF program in their State is no longer comparable to or is no longer more restrictive than the State's AFDC Program in effect on June 1, 1995. Estimate of Burden: A new reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 12 hours per respondent. Respondents: State agencies. Estimated Number of Respondents: 52 respondents (50 States, D.C. and Guam). Although several States have two State agencies that administer the School Nutrition Programs, only 1 response per State is requested. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 624 burden hours. [[Page 5497]] Dated: January 21, 1998. Yvette S. Jackson, Administrator, Food and Consumer Service. [FR Doc. 98-2605 Filed 2-2-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-30-P