#0584-0034 Part B Statistical Methods 10-2009

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 39,911cases.

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 non-response.

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. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data.

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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