Comment Request - SNAP Repayment Demand and Program Disqualification

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on proposed information collections. This collection is a revision of currently approved information collection requirements associated with initiating collection actions against households who have received an over-issuance in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.16(e)(3) require state agencies to investigate any case of suspected fraud and, where applicable, make an intentional Program violation (IPV) determination either administratively or judicially. Notifications and activities involved in the IPV process include:

• The state agency providing written notification informing an individual suspected of committing an IPV of an impending administrative disqualification hearing or court action;
• An individual opting to accept the disqualification and waiving the right to an administrative disqualification hearing or court action by signing either a waiver to an administrative disqualification hearing or a disqualification consent agreement in cases of deferred adjudication and returning it to the state agency; and
• Once a determination is made regarding an IPV, the state agency sending notification to the affected individual of the action taken on the administrative disqualification hearing or court decision.

SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.16 require state agencies to use disqualified recipient data to ascertain the correct penalty for IPVs, based on prior disqualifications. State agencies determine this by accessing and reviewing records located in the Electronic Disqualified Recipient System (eDRS). eDRS is an automated system developed by FNS that contains records of disqualifications in every state. State agencies are also responsible for updating the system, as required at 7 CFR 273.16, which includes reporting disqualifications in eDRS as they occur and updating eDRS when records are no longer accurate, relevant, or complete.