The Families First Coronavirus
Response Act of 2020 includes a general provision that allows the
Department of Agriculture to approve state plans to provide
temporary emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) assistance to households with children who would otherwise
receive free or reduced-price meals if not for their schools being
closed due to the COVID-19 emergency (also known as Pandemic EBT,
or P-EBT). This legislation also provides for the issuance of
emergency allotments (supplements) based on a public health
emergency declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services
under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act related to an
outbreak of COVID-19 when a State has also issued an emergency or
disaster declaration. This submission seeks emergency OMB approval
of activities associated with administering P-EBT and emergency
allotments.
FNS seeks emergency
approval of information collection activities associated with
administering P-EBT, emergency allotments, and SNAP online
purchasing expansion. FNS cannot reasonably comply with the normal
clearance procedures under the PRA because complying would delay
the agency’s ability to provide emergency food assistance to
families and children impacted by COVID-19. As such, we request
expedited approval of this information collection.
This is a new OMB information
collection request. This submission seeks emergency OMB approval of
activities associated with administering P-EBT, emergency
allotments, and expanding SNAP online purchasing opportunities as
part of the Federal response to COVID-19.
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:
(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;
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.