FNS must evaluate the data and observations collected and determine whether it is feasible to implement this technology nation-wide, whether further study is required before doing so, or if implementation is not in the best interest of the program, and submit report to report to Congress with the basis of its findings. This information collection is necessary because Congress has specifically mandated that approval and subsequent evaluation of MPPs by State agencies must occur before FNS can fulfill its broader statutory obligations to allow mobile payment technology in SNAP nation-wide.
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) plans to authorize the use of mobile payment technology for accessing
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through smart phones, tablets, and other personal
mobile devices in place of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. However, in order to implement this statutory
requirement, FNS must approve up to 5 proposals from SNAP State agencies (State agencies) to conduct Mobile
Payment Pilots (MPPs) that test the use of mobile payment technology in SNAP and meet several sets of
requirements outlined in the Code, such as providing protections to participants that is similar to existing EBT
technology, providing price parity between foods purchased with mobile payment technology and those purchased by
other methods, ensuring adequate documentation and security measures to deter fraud, and other criteria as
determined by FNS.
This is a revision to an information collection request as a result of a pilot program. Estimates associated with the RFV process have been removed with this revision. As such, the burden has decreased by 318 responses and 23,510 hours.
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.
Individuals/Households SNAP Recipients (Non-Respondent)