#0584-0034 Part B Statistical Methods REV

Part B
Supporting Statement for the
FNS-245 and FNS-248
OMB Number 0584-0034

B.

Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
The collection of information on the FNS-248 does not employ statistical methods. The
collection of information on the FNS-245 employs statistical methods. Additional details
follow:

1.

Describe the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent
selection method to be used.
The QC system and its reporting requirements are applicable to all of the 53 State
agencies administering the Food Stamp Program. Each State agency is required
to select a sample of households from its negative case universe, the universe of
households who were denied benefits or whose benefits were suspended or
terminated. The State agency then reviews the negative action for its validity.
State sample selection choices result in a yearly national sample of approximately
39,803 cases.

2.

Describe the procedures for the collection of information.
The negative case sample procedure is an estimation of proportions (cases in error/invalid
actions) from a random sample.

3.

Describe the methods to maximize response rates and deal with issues of nonresponse.
The QC system attempts to control the potential bias of non-response with a completion
standard of 100 percent of both the active and negative case samples. This percentage is
the ratio of the number of completed reviews to the number of cases selected subject to
review or to the minimum number of cases computed from the sample size equations,
whichever is larger. A State agency's entitlement to the increased Federal share of
administrative costs depends on the satisfactory completion of all of the required active
and negative case reviews. If a State agency does not complete the required number of
reviews, its error rates are adjusted by assigning two standard deviations of the estimated
error rates added to the regressed error rates to those cases not completed in order to
calculate the State agency's official error rates. Two standard deviations correspond to
approximately a 95 percent confidence interval. The use of standard deviations of the
mean is a common device for measuring the dispersion in a simple distribution and
represents a natural breakpoint.

4.

Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.
No testing of information-collection procedures is planned.

5.

Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on
statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit,
contractor(s),grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or
analyze the information for the agency.
Nick Manthos (703) 305-2474 and Kip Houge (415) 705-1361, Senior
Statisticians, Food Stamp Program, Program Accountability Division, Quality
Control Branch, are responsible for analyzing the QC data.

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