Signed Generic Clearance - LTR

Request for Approval under the “Generic Clearance for the Collection of
Routine Customer Feedback” (OMB Control Number: 1660-0130)

TITLE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION: Long-Term Recovery Survey Study, FEMA
Form 104-FY-21-100, FEMA Form 104-FY-21-101, FEMA Form 104-FY-21-102, FEMA
Form 104-FY-21-103, FEMA Form 104-FY-21-104, FEMA Form 104-FY-21-105, FEMA
Form 104-FY-21-106, FEMA Form 104-FY-21-107

PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Long-Term Recovery (LTR) Survey Study is to provide a longitudinal view
of how a disaster survivor’s level of recovery and needs change over time.
This pilot study will help the Customer Survey & Analysis Section (CSA) gather information on
two levels:
1. Feasibility of the study: Accurate response rates, finding and adjusting for low
responsive groups, human resources, and software resources available to administer a
two-year study.
2. Question redesigning: Gauges best wording, clarity, and appropriateness of question
ateach recovery period. This will be used to construct the most valid and succinct
questions to understand preparedness, displacement periods, temporary housing, and
other factors relative to individual, family, financial, and community recovery.
Surveys may be conducted via email or phone. This pilot will help determine the feasibility
of both administration methods. Acquired information regarding response rates and
resources will advise which mode should be used in future filings. This collection will yield
new information of the same disaster survivor captured in four surveys at six-month
intervals, totaling 24 months, to complete a full study of their recovery lifecycle. Survey
titles follow:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Long-Term Recovery Survey Restoration: 6 months - Phone
Long-Term Recovery Survey Restoration: 6 months - Electronic
Long-Term Recovery Survey Reconstruction I: 12 months - Phone
Long-Term Recovery Survey Reconstruction I: 12 months - Electronic
Long-Term Recovery Survey Reconstruction I: 18 months - Phone
Long-Term Recovery Survey Reconstruction I: 18 months - Electronic
Long-Term Recovery Survey Reconstruction II: 24 months – Phone
Long-Term Recovery Survey Reconstruction II: 24 months - Electronic

Emergency Management research supports that recovery from a significant disaster is complex
and moves through different phases. The Long-Term Recovery (LTR) study was designed to
capture feedback from disaster survivors as they move through the different phases of the
recovery process. The recovery periods LTR study are as follows:
•

Restoration – begins as search and rescue ends, sheltering and feeding winds down,
andcleaning of debris from main areas is complete. The survey is administered
approximately 6 months after the disaster.

•

Reconstruction I – begins as restoration ends and includes rebuilding and replacing as
well as normal activities returning to pre-disaster level. The survey is administered at
twoseparate time intervals of approximately 12 months and again at 18 months.

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•

Reconstruction II – includes major construction and improvement projects initiated by
homeowners, businesses, community, and government. The survey is administered at
approximately 24 months after the disaster, when many major projects will be completed
or underway.

At different points in time throughout the study, information is collected about the survivor’s
preparedness, emotional and stress levels, recovery, experiences with FEMA programs and
services, and overall expectations and perceptions of the recovery process.
Results will be used internally to provide insights for proof-of-concept for an ongoing
longitudinal study. The results will be used to develop an enhanced longitudinal study,
representative of the population of all major/catastrophic disasters and emergencies. This
enhanced study may be used for ongoing FEMA program and policy enhancements.
DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS:
Survey respondents represent disaster survivors who registered for FEMA assistance for a Presidentially
declared major disaster. All disasters will be surveyed. Because we anticipate low response rates coupled
with a high dropout rate, some disasters will have the entire population receive the first Long-Term Recovery
Survey, whereas larger disasters may be based on a random sample.
TYPE OF COLLECTION: (Check one)
[ ] Customer Comment Card/Complaint Form
] Usability Testing (e.g., Website or Software)
[ ] Focus Group

[X] Customer Satisfaction Survey[
[ ] Small Discussion Group
[ ] Other:

CERTIFICATION:
I certify the following to be true:
1. The collection is voluntary.
2. The collection is low-burden for respondents and low-cost for the Federal Government.
3. The collection is non-controversial and does not raise issues of concern to other federal
agencies.
4. The results are not intended to be disseminated to the public.
5. Information gathered will not be used for the purpose of substantially informing influential
policy decisions.
6. The collection is targeted to the solicitation of opinions from respondents who have
experience with the program or may have experience with the program in the future.

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KRISTI M
LUPKEY
Name:

Digitally signed by KRISTI
M LUPKEY
Date: 2021.11.16 02:57:21
-06'00'

Date:

Kristi Lupkey
Acting Section Chief, Customer Surveys and
Analysis Recovery Analytics Division, FEMA,
DHS Office (940) 891-8852 | mobile (940)
368-2751
Personally Identifiable Information:
1. Is personally identifiable information (PII) collected? [ ] Yes [X] No
2. If Yes, will any information that is collected be included in records that are subject to the
Privacy Act of 1974? [ ] Yes [ ] No
3. If Yes, has an up-to-date System of Records Notice (SORN) been published? [ ] Yes [ ] No
Gifts or Payments:
Is an incentive (e.g., money or reimbursement of expenses, token of appreciation) provided to
participants? [ ] Yes [X] No

Type of
Respondent

Individuals and
Households

Individuals and
Households

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours and Costs
Avg.
No. of
Burden
No. of
Respon- Total No.
Form Name /
per
Responses per
of
Form Number
Response
dents
Respon- Responses
(in
dent
hours)
Survey - LongTerm Recovery
Survey
20
Restoration: 6
63,861
1
63,861
Minutes
(0.33)
months – Phone
/ FF-104-FY-21100
Survey - LongTerm Recovery
Survey
20
Restoration: 6
46,244
1
46,244
Minutes
(0.33)
months –
Electronic / FF104-FY-21-101

Total
Annual
Burden
(in
hours)

Avg.
Hourly
Wage
Rate
With 1.46
Multiplier

Total
Annual
Respondent
Cost

21,074

$39.52

$832,844

15,261

$39.52

$603,115

Individuals and
Households

Survey - LongTerm Recovery
Reconstruction
I: 12 months Phone / FF-104FY-21-102

15,965

1

15,965

20
Minutes
(0.33)

5,268

$39.52

$208,191

Individuals and
Households

Survey - LongTerm Recovery
Survey
Reconstruction
I: 12 months Electronic / FF104-FY-21-103

11,561

1

11,561

20
Minutes
(0.33)

3,815

$39.52

$150,769

3

Individuals and
Households

Survey - LongTerm Recovery
Survey
Reconstruction
I: 18 months Phone / FF-104FY-21-104

3,991

1

3,991

20
Minutes
(0.33)

1,317

$39.52

$52,048

Individuals and
Households

Survey - LongTerm Recovery
Survey
Reconstruction
I: 18 months Electronic / FF104-FY-21-105

2,890

1

2,890

20
Minutes
(0.33)

954

$39.52

$37,702

Individuals and
Households

Survey - LongTerm Recovery
Survey
Reconstruction
II: 24 months –
Phone / FF-104FY-21-106

998

1

998

15
Minutes
(0.25)

250

$39.52

$9,880

Individuals and
Households

Survey - LongTerm Recovery
Survey
Reconstruction
II: 24 months Electronic / FF104-FY-21-107

723

1

723

15
Minutes
(0.25)

181

$39.52

$7,153

Total

146,233

146,233

48,120

1,901,702

FEDERAL COST: The estimated annual cost to the Federal government is $1,035,929
If you are conducting a focus group, survey, or plan to employ statistical methods, please
provide answers to the following questions:
The selection of your targeted respondents
1. Do you have a customer list or something similar that defines the universe of potential
respondents and do you have a sampling plan for selecting from this universe?
[X] Yes
[] No
If the answer is yes, please provide a description of both below (or attach the sampling plan)? If
the answer is no, please provide a description of how you plan to identify your potential group of
respondents and how you will select them?
The sampling plan consists of disaster survivors who registered for FEMA assistance.
Each disaster will be surveyed. The sample will be based on each disasters’ total
registrations. If the disaster population is too small to yield valid results at the end of 24
months, all applicants for that disaster will receive a survey invitation. Larger disasters
will be based on a random sample. The applicant’s name, contact information, and other
related applicant information is retrieved from FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA)
Information Technology (IT) System, i.e., Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW), in order to
initiate contact with the applicant to conduct the survey.
Disaster survivors will be contacted every six months within a 24-month timeframe,
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which consists of surveying the same respondents four times. Respondents can opt-out
of the study at any point in time.
The study goal is to have 400 completions at the end of the four phases. This will not be
possible for some disasters, which is why many disasters will be a universe and not a sample.
Current projections use a 10% response rate for Phase 1 (based on preliminary data), and
follow-ups response rates of 25% for Phases 2, 3, and 4. Historical results from previous
longitudinal surveys were around 42%, but this survey is much longer in length and
administered over a longer time period.
The estimated response rates may vary significantly in practice. Again, the purpose of this
initial clearance is to gain enough data to determine feasibility, provide insight as to what
realistic response rates might look like, evaluate strengths and weaknesses associated with
the sampling methodology, and determine required resources.
This sampling plan will be tested and may change to an optimal plan before a full
clearance isfiled.
Administration of the Instrument
1. How will you collect the information? (Check all that apply)
[X] Web-based or other forms of Social Media
[X] Telephone
[ ] In-person
[ ] Mail
[ ] Other, Explain
2. Will interviewers or facilitators be used? [ X ] Yes [] No
Please make sure that all instruments, instructions, and scripts are submitted with the
request.

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Instructions for completing Request for Approval under the “Generic
Clearance for the Collection of Routine Customer Feedback”
TITLE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION: Provide the name of the collection that is the
subject of the request. (e.g. Comment card for soliciting feedback on xxxx)
PURPOSE: Provide a brief description of the purpose of this collection and how it will be used.
If this is part of a larger study or effort, please include this in your explanation.
DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS: Provide a brief description of the targeted group or
groups for this collection of information. These groups must have experience with the program.
TYPE OF COLLECTION: Check one box. If you are requesting approval of other
instruments under the generic, you must complete a form for each instrument.
CERTIFICATION: Please read the certification carefully. If you incorrectly certify, the
collection will be returned as improperly submitted or it will be disapproved.
Personally Identifiable Information: Provide answers to the questions. Note: Agencies
should only collect PII to the extent necessary, and they should only retain PII for the period that
is necessary to achieve a specific objective.
Gifts or Payments: If you answer yes to the question, please describe the incentive and provide
a justification for the amount.
BURDEN HOURS:
Category of Respondents: Identify who you expect the respondents to be in terms of the
following categories: (1) Individuals or Households; (2) Private Sector; (3) State, local, or tribal
governments; or (4) Federal Government. Only one type of respondent can be selected per row.
No. of Respondents: Provide an estimate of the Number of Respondents.
Participation Time: Provide an estimate of the amount of time (in minutes) required for a
respondent to participate (e.g. fill out a survey or participate in a focus group)
Burden: Provide the Annual burden hours: Multiply the Number of Respondents and the
Participation Time then divide by 60.
FEDERAL COST: Provide an estimate of the annual cost to the Federal government.
If you are conducting a focus group, survey, or plan to employ statistical methods, please
provide answers to the following questions:
The selection of your targeted respondents. Please provide a description of how you plan to
identify your potential group of respondents and how you will select them. If the answer is yes,
to the first question, you may provide the sampling plan in an attachment.
Administration of the Instrument: Identify how the information will be collected. More than
one box may be checked. Indicate whether there will be interviewers (e.g. for surveys) or
facilitators (e.g., for focus groups) used.
Submit all instruments, instructions, and scripts are submitted with the request.

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