# Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Form FNS-259, Food Stamp Mail Issuance Report

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URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-19118

## Record

- **Collection:** Federal Register
- **Document type:** Notice
- **Published:** July 17, 1998
- **Citation:** 63 FR 38554

## Text

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Form FNS-259, Food Stamp Mail Issuance Report

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), as amended by
Section 2 of Pub. L. 104-13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment
on the proposed information collections. This notice announces the Food
and Nutrition Service's (FNS) intention to request that the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) review and approve the agency's proposal to
continue requiring the use of the Form FNS-259, Food Stamp Mail
Issuance Report, for another 3 years. Section 7 of the Food Stamp Act
of 1977 (the Act), 7 U.S.C. 2016, requires that coupons be issued only
to households which have been duly certified as eligible to participate
in the Program; that Program benefits are timely distributed in the
correct amounts; and that mail issued benefits and mail issuance
reconciliation activities are properly conducted and accurately
reported to FNS.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection must be received by September 15, 1998 to be
assured of consideration.

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 has practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the estimated burden that the proposed collection
of information would impose, 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 information collection burden, including the use of appropriate
system automation, other electronics, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques. Comments may be sent to Abigail C.
Nichols, Director, Program Accountability Division, Food and Nutrition
Service, Food Stamp Program, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 905,
Alexandria, Virginia, 22302.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
information collection request for OMB approval. All comments will also
become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information regarding this information
collection should be directed to Abigail C. Nichols at (703) 305-2414.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Food Stamp Mail Issuance Report.
OMB Number: 0584-0015.
Form No.: FNS-259.
Expiration Date: 10/31/98.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: Pursuant to Section 7(f) of the Act, Part 274.4 of the
Food Stamp Program (FSP) regulations requires that State agencies
account for all food stamp coupon mail issuances, including the number
and value of mail issuance replacements. This part of the regulations
requires each coupon issuer at intervals prescribed by the Secretary,
but not less often than monthly, to submit a written report of the
issuer's operations during such period. Part 276.2 of the regulations
provides that State agencies be held strictly liable for mail issuance
losses that are in excess of the State agency's preselected tolerance
level for each administrative reporting unit. The program management
information collected on Form FNS-259 is used by FNS to validate mail
issuance, identify mail issuance losses, assess liabilities and bill
State agencies for a portion of mail issuance losses.
Frequency of Responses: The FNS-259 collects monthly information
for three consecutive calendar months which must be accumulated and
submitted to FNS on a quarterly basis by the 45th day following the end
of the quarter.
Affected Public: State and local government.
Number of Respondents: 1,470.
Number of Responses Per Respondent: 4.
Total Annual Burden Hours: 490.

Dated: July 7, 1998.
George A. Braley,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 98-19118 Filed 7-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-M

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-19118. Public record. Not legal advice.