Summary
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This information collection addresses the state agency reporting and recordkeeping burden associated with the following state agency options under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): establishing and reviewing standard utility allowances (SUAs) and establishing methodology for offsetting cost of producing self-employment income.
Abstract
SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.9(d)(6)(iii) allow state agencies to establish SUAs in place of the actual utility costs incurred by a household. state agencies must review and adjust SUAs annually to reflect changes in the costs of utilities. As part of this annual update, state agencies may develop a new methodology and submit any updates to FNS via email for approval.
SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.11(b) allow state agencies to calculate a household's self-employment income by reducing the cost of producing such income. The regulations allow the state agencies, with approval from FNS, to establish the methodology for offsetting the costs of producing self-employment income, as long as the procedure does not increase program costs. Once approved by FNS via email, states can use these methodologies to determine net self-employment income for SNAP eligibility purposes.
Using FNS-388 and 388A, states send aggregate level data on participation, benefits issued, and other basic program information to FNS using the Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS) at https://fprs.fns.usda.gov. This collection uses information submitted in these FNS approved forms as supplemental data. However, this collection is not seeking approval for burden hours associated with the use of these forms because the burden is already accounted for under OMB Control Number 0584-0594.