[Federal Register: December 4, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 232)]
[Notices]               
[Page 70416-70417]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04de06-72]                         

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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

 
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity 
to comment on a proposed revision of a currently approved information 
collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
this notice seeks comments concerning Disaster Assistance Registration 
applications.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act), Public Law 93-288, as 
amended, is the legal basis for the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
(FEMA) to provide financial assistance and services to individuals who 
apply for disaster assistance benefits in the event of a major 
disaster. 44 CFR, Subpart D, Federal Assistance to Individuals and 
Households, section 206.110 et seq., implements the policy and 
procedures set forth in section 408 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 
5174, as amended by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. This program 
provides financial assistance and, if necessary, direct assistance to 
eligible individuals and households who, as a direct result of a major 
disaster or emergency, have uninsured or under-insured, necessary 
expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses or 
needs through other means.

Collection of Information

    Title: Disaster Assistance Registration.
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0002.
    Form Numbers: FEMA Forms 90-69 (English) and 90-69A (Spanish), 
Application/Registration for Disaster Assistance, FEMA Forms 90-69B 
(English) and 90-69(C) Spanish, Declaration and Release.
    Abstract: After a major disaster or emergency is declared by the 
President, a Tele-Registration 800 number is

[[Page 70417]]

published for individuals, to call so that they may apply for emergency 
assistance. FEMA service representatives will interview applicants over 
the telephone using an Intranet script, and record applicants' 
information directly into the electronic copy of FEMA Forms 90-69 
(English) and 90-69A (Spanish) Application/ Registration for Disaster 
Assistance in the National Emergency Management Information System 
(NEMIS) computer system. In rare circumstances, when the system is not 
accessible, or when phone lines are down, FEMA representatives will 
record information using the paper versions of FEMA Forms 90-69 
(English) and 90-69A (Spanish) Application/Registration for Disaster 
Assistance. The paper versions of these forms are entered into NEMIS by 
FEMA representatives.
    In order to be eligible to receive FEMA Disaster Assistance, a 
member of the household must be a citizen, non-citizen national, or 
qualified alien of the United States. FEMA Forms 90-69B (English) and 
90-69C (Spanish), Declaration and Release form is used to certify 
respondents' information and eligibility, after the application 
process. FEMA Forms 90-69B and 90-69C further informs the respondent of 
the Privacy Act and Paperwork Burden Disclosure Notice. Once applicants 
have completed the Declaration and Release form FEMA will notify 
contract firms for inspection of damaged properties.
    Affected Public: Individuals and Households.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:

                                               Annual Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Frequency
    Project/activity (survey,          No. of          of      Burden hours per       Annual       Total annual
   form(s), focus group, etc.)       respondents   responses      respondent         responses     burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              (A)       (B)   (C)...............           (AxB)         (AxBxC)
Tele-Registration Application           1,151,255         1   18 min............       1,151,255         345,377
 Registration for Disaster
 Assistance (English and Spanish).
Internet Application Registration         515,487         1   18 min............         515,487         154,646
 for Disaster Assistance (English
 and Spanish).
Paper version of FEMA Form 90-69           51,549         1   18 min............          51,549          15,465
 and 90-69A (English and Spanish).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TOTAL........................       1,718,291  .........  18 minutes........       1,718,291         515,488
FEMA Form 90-69B and 90-69C,            1,099,706         1   2 min.............       1,099,706          36,657
 Declaration and Release (English
 and Spanish).
Receipt for Government Property            17,183         1   20 min............          17,183           5,728
 (Temporary Housing Unit)
 (English and Spanish).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   ..............  .........  ..................  ..............         557,873
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Cost: It is estimated that the annualized cost to 
respondents for the hour burdens will be approximately $10,543,799 for 
completing the Disaster Assistance Registration applications for this 
collection of information. Respondents are individuals and families.
    Comments: Written comments are solicited to (a) Evaluate whether 
the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) evaluate 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) enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(d) 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, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses. Comments must be submitted on or before 
February 2, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Chief, 
Records Management and Privacy, Information Resources Management 
Branch, Information Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact George Fraley, Processing 
Service Analyst, Recovery Division, (301) 891-8696 for additional 
information. You may contact the Records Management Branch for copies 
of the proposed collection of information at facsimile number (202) 
646-3347 or e-mail address: FEMA-Information-Collections@dhs.gov.

    Dated: November 28, 2006.
John A. Sharetts-Sullivan,
Chief, Records Management and Privacy, Information Resources Management 
Branch, Information Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.
 [FR Doc. E6-20415 Filed 12-1-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 9110-10-P