[Federal Register: March 13, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 49)]
[Notices]
[Page 12027-12028]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13mr03-36]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Economic Research Service
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information
AGENCY: Economic Research Service, USDA.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub L.
104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR
Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the
Economic Research Service's (ERS) intention to request approval for a
new information collection from the U.S. population. The study will
collect information from Food Stamp Program (FSP) participants that
reside in one of six demonstration sites.
DATES: Written comments must be received by May 19, 2003 to be assured
of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Requests for additional information regarding this notice
should be directed to Elizabeth Dagata, Rural Economy Branch, Food and
Rural Economics Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1800 M St. NW., Washington, DC 20036-5831. Submit
electronic comments to edagata@ers.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Evaluation of Three Models Designed to Increase
Participation of Eligible Elderly in the Food Stamp Program.
OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
Expiration Date: Two years from date of issuance.
Type of Request: Approval to collect information from elderly
individuals who receive food stamps and who reside in one of the
Elderly Nutrition Demonstration pilot sites.
Abstract: USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) has the
responsibility to provide social and economic intelligence on consumer,
food marketing, and rural issues, including food security status of the
poor; domestic food assistance programs; low-income assistance
programs; economic food consumption determinations and trends; consumer
demand for food quality, safety, and nutrition; food market competition
and coordination; and food safety regulation. In carrying out this
overall mission, ERS seeks approval of information gathering activities
that will provide key information about the impact of the Food Stamp
Program's (FSP) Elderly Nutrition Demonstration pilots.
Six states (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Michigan, and
North Carolina) are implementing separate Elderly Nutrition
Demonstration pilots, with each State's pilot based on one of three
demonstration models: (1) A commodities alternative benefit model, in
which elderly FSP participants can elect to receive a package of
commodities each month in lieu of traditional FSP benefits; (2) a
simplified eligibility model, in which the FSP eligibility rules for
elderly applicants are streamlined; or (3) an application assistance
model, in which demonstration staff assist elderly FSP applicants with
completing the food stamp application. Two states (Connecticut and
North Carolina) are implementing a commodities alternative benefit
model; one state (Florida) is implementing a simplified eligibility
model; and three states (Arizona, Maine and Michigan) are implementing
an application assistance model. USDA is operating these pilot projects
to explore which demonstration models lead to increased participation
among elderly individuals in the Food Stamp Program and why.
Working with ERS, a contractor will be evaluating the six
demonstration models. Participation data obtained through
administrative case records will be used to estimate the impact of the
demonstrations on the number of elderly participants in the Food Stamp
Program. To identify reasons why elderly individuals may be more likely
to participate under the demonstrations, the contractor will contact
elderly Food Stamp Program participants directly.
In the two states that are implementing the commodities alternative
benefit demonstration model (Connecticut and North Carolina), a sample
of elderly food stamp participants will be surveyed. The survey will
query respondents as to whether or not they chose to participate in the
commodity alternative benefit demonstration, the reason for that
choice, and, if they are receiving the commodity alternative benefit,
what they like and dislike about it. A different sample of respondents
will be identified every quarter, and interviews will occur between
three and seven quarters. A small sub-sample of respondents will be
contacted a second time to acquire more detailed information about
their experience with the demonstration.
In addition to the survey conducted in the two commodities
demonstration sites, focus groups will be conducted in the one state
implementing the simplified eligibility demonstration model (Florida)
and in the three states implementing the application assistance
demonstration model (Arizona, Maine and Michigan). There will be two
focus groups per state, with each focus group including 10 elderly FSP
participants. These focus groups will be used to determine what aspects
of each demonstration were beneficial to the clients.
Affected Public: Elderly FSP participants residing in the
demonstration sites.
Estimated Number of Respondents: A combined total of 167
individuals in the two commodities alternative benefit demonstration
sites will be interviewed per quarter, and interviews will be conducted
for three to seven quarters. The maximum number of interviews conducted
is 1,169 (= 167 respondents x 7 quarters). In the remaining four
[[Page 12028]]
demonstration sites, a combined total of 80 individuals will
participate in focus groups (10 participants per focus group x 2 focus
groups x 4 states).
Number of Responses per Respondent: Of the individuals
participating in the initial interview, a total of 36 individuals will
respond twice (once to the initial interview and once to the follow-up
interview). The remaining individuals (up to 1,133) will respond only
once. The 80 individuals participating in the focus groups will respond
once.
Estimated Total Responses: Maximum total number of responses: 1,285
(= 1,169 initial commodities interviews + 36 follow up interviews + 80
focus group participants).
Hours per Response: Initial commodities alternative benefit
interview: 20 minutes per respondent; follow-up commodities alternative
benefit interview: 20 minutes per respondent; focus group: 1 hour 15
minutes per respondent.
Total Reporting Hours: Maximum total reporting hours: 498 hours (=
1,169 initial commodities interviews * 0.33 hours + 36 follow up
interviews * 0.33 hours + 80 focus group participants * 1.25 hours).
Comments: 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 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;
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. Comments should be sent to the
address stated in the preamble. All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will also become a matter of public
record.
Dated: February 25, 2003.
Susan Offut,
Administrator, Economic Research Service, USDA.
[FR Doc. 03-6056 Filed 3-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P