This is a reinstatement, with changes, of a previously approved information collection that was discontinued on 12/31/2022. This data collection effort for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Participant and Program Characteristics Study.
This information collection is requesting a revision in the burden hours due to program changes resulting from FMNP state agencies transitioning from paper coupon systems to electronic benefit systems, as well as one existing requirement that has been in use without PRA approval.
The Operational Challenges in Child Nutrition Programs surveys, are designed to collect timely data on emerging school food service operational challenges, including but not limited to supply chain disruptions, food costs, and labor shortages, and/or related issues.
USDA FNS is proposing to add a new system of records, entitled USDA/FNS–13, Mercury, which is a Consumer Off the Shelf workflow system designed to automate the correspondence tracking and management process within FNS.
USDA has legislative authority to grant waivers to WIC and FMNP state agencies. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 grants temporary waiver authority to WIC and WIC FMNP for the purpose of outreach, modernization, and innovation and The Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 grants permanent waiver authority to WIC during certain emergencies and supply chain disruptions. This information collection request covers activities associated with the waiver request process.
FNS collects information for this collection, which contains both mandatory and required to obtain or retain benefit requirements, from state agencies, LEAs/SFAs, and households. The information collected from the state agencies and the LEAs/SFAs ensures that eligibility determinations are made, that applications are verified, that eligibility and other records are maintained, and that public notification is provided concerning the programs.
This ongoing information collection is required to administer and operate this program in accordance with the NSLA. The program is administered at the state agency and school food authority/local education agency levels and states, SFAs/LEAs, and schools under this Act are required to keep accounts and records as may be necessary to enable FNS to determine whether the program is in compliance with this Act and the regulations.
The information collected from the individuals and households permits them to apply for benefits (including assistance during disasters or situations of distress) or to recertify their eligibility. FNS uses this information to manage the Food Distribution Programs and monitor the use of federal funds.
This collection is an extension, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval will expire on September 30, 2023, for recognizing program sponsors' nutrition efforts in the Summer Food Service Program or the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.
This study informs USDA FNS about the reasons behind under-redemption of the cash-value benefit (CVB) issued to participants in WIC.