Justification for Non-substantive Change

Justification of Non-Material Change

Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program

Request for Extension Form

1505-0271

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Program, established by Sections 602 and 603 of the Social Security Act, as added by section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), appropriates $19.53 billion through states to tens of thousands of smaller local governments called “non-entitlement units of local government” (NEUs). The statute requires states to distribute funds to NEUs within 30 days of receiving payment from Treasury, and also directs Treasury to grant an initial 30-day extension if a state certifies an “excessive administrative burden” in writing before the end of the 30-day distribution period. It also allows a state to request further 30-day extensions by submitting a request, that, among other requirements, details a state plan that is designed to distribute funds by the deadline. Treasury can grant these extensions at the discretion of the Secretary.

The Department of Treasury is submitting a request for non-material change to OMB Control Number 1505-0271 in order to streamline requests for a second 30-day extension of the distribution deadline by providing a standardized form for states/territorial governments to use. This does not constitute a new collection of information since states/territories are already permitted by the statute to request this extension in writing. The new form merely provides a simple and consistent format for them to do so, which should reduce the burden on respondents for making this request.

Given the administrative challenges in distributing Treasury expects a majority of the states and territories (over 25 governments but fewer than 55 governments) to submit a request. The estimated burden is 1 hour per response.