Food Stamp Program - Store Applications

OMB Control No: 0584-0008	ICR Reference No: 200809-0584-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 200708-0584-007
Agency/Subagency: USDA/FNS	Agency Tracking No: 0001-2-SNAP
Title: Food Stamp Program - Store Applications
Type of Information Collection: No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 12/15/2008
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 10/01/2008
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	07/31/2011	07/31/2011	07/31/2011
Responses	41,486	0	41,486
Time Burden (Hours)	5,936	0	5,936
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

---

Abstract: The purpose of this information collection is to accept applications from retail food establishments and meal service programs that wish to participate in the FSP.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 110 - 246 4001-4002 Name of Law: Food, Conservation & Energy Act, 2008

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	73 FR 147	01/02/2008
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	73 FR 105	05/30/2008
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Food Stamp Program - Store Applications FNS 252-E, FNS 252, FNS 252, FNS 252-2, FNS 252-C, FNS-252, FNS-252-2, FNS-252-C Corporate Supplemental Application (Addedum to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Application for Stores) ,   Online Store Application ,   Application for Meal Services ,   Corporate Supplemental Application (Addendum to Food Stamp Application for Stores) ,   Food Stamp Application for Stores ,   Food Stamp Application for Stores (Spanish) ,   USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Application for Meal Services ,   Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Application for Stores

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	41,486	41,486	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	5,936	5,936	0	0	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The estimated total annual burden hours associated with this information collection is 5,936 hours (5,692 hours for applications and 244 hours for store visits). This is a decrease of 1,516 burden hours from our previous burden estimate of 7,452 hours. The decrease in the overall burden is due in part, to the revision of the FNS-252 application, and the creation of the online application, Form FNS-252-E. We streamlined the form by eliminating unnecessary questions; using clearer and simpler language; and a decrease in the time it takes retailers to complete the paper form from 15.05 minutes to 11 minutes, a reduction of 4.04 minutes. We anticipate the implementation of the online application, Form FNS-252-E will help to further reduce the burden on program respondents, and as we continue to look for ways to use technology to reduce burden. An explanation of program changes and adjustment follows: Program Changes: 1. There are notable decreases in the number of affected respondents and burden hours from our previous submission to OMB. This is attributed, in part, to the revision of Form FNS-252 (paper); and the creation of the online application, Form FNS-252-E. 2. Data collected on the current Form FNS-252 was revised when designing the online application, Form FNS-252-E. The application process (paper and electronic) was streamlined. Questions were re-phrased or combined in order to provide clearer language. Questions that no longer have any relevance to the authorization process were deleted. Instructions and help tips were written in simpler terms. The application form and online screens were developed in a user friendly format. The revised form and the online application form takes applicants less time to complete because the questions are clearer than the previous forms. Previously, it took retailers, on average, 15.04 minutes to complete Form FNS-252. Due to our streamlining efforts; better form design and the elimination of redundant or ambiguous questions, retailers can complete the paper form in 11 minutes and approximately 10 minutes for an electronic application; 8 minutes are needed to obtain the eAuthentication Level 1 access. We estimate that approximately 40% of 25,531 (10,212) retailers will complete the online application. The Form FNS-252-E will collect the same information that is collected on Form FNS-252, just in an electronic format. Adjustments Significant decreases of burden hours associated with this information collection are most notably realized on the paper FNS-252 (6,228 previously reported; 2,204 this submission); FNS-252-C (421.92 previously reported; 361.97 this submission) are attributed to our efforts to streamline the application process; ask clearer questions; and re-format the design of the application (paper and electronic form) so that the content and section headings flow in a more logical order. The increase of burden hours associated with Form FNS-252-2 (42.12 previously reported; 55.84 this submission) is an adjustment due to the increase in meal service applications received and approved by FNS.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $64,831

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Rachelle Greene 7036050038 [email protected]

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 10/01/2008

---