82 FR 13791 - Request for Information: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Income Conversion Factors for Anticipated Income
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 49 (March 15, 2017)
Food and Nutrition Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 49 (March 15, 2017)
| Page Range | 13791-13792 | |
| FR Document | 2017-05133 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 15, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 13791-13792] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-05133] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Request for Information: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Income Conversion Factors for Anticipated Income AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeks input on the use of the current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) income conversion factors used to anticipate a household's income for the purposes of SNAP eligibility when a household's income is received on a weekly or biweekly basis. FNS hopes to obtain perspective from State agencies and other stakeholders as it considers how to best balance the flexibilities States are granted in calculating anticipated monthly income under current SNAP regulations, while adhering to the legislative intent of reducing administrative burden on State agencies and removing barriers to eligibility for needy households. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 15, 2017. ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Sasha Gersten-Paal, Chief, Certification Policy Branch, Program Development Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 812, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically. All written comments will be open for public inspection at the FNS office located at 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia, 22302, Room 812, during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will be a matter of public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of this request for information should be directed to Sasha Gersten-Paal via email to [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.10(c)(2)(i) provide State agencies with three options when converting weekly and biweekly income into anticipated monthly income: Multiplying by 4.3 for weekly income or by 2.15 for biweekly income; using the State agency's public assistance (PA) conversion standard; or, using a household's exact amount, if it can be anticipated. These options have been available to State agencies since the enactment of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the majority of States opt to use the first set of conversion factors. Generally, when calculating a SNAP recipient's benefit amount, the lower the recipient's income, the greater their SNAP benefit will be. Some stakeholders contend that using the first set of conversion factors (4.3 for weekly income or 2.15 for biweekly income) underestimates a recipient's actual monthly income, which in turn raises the amount of the recipient's SNAP benefit. These stakeholders maintain that not only does this result in an overpayment to the recipient, it also creates inequity between SNAP recipients paid on a monthly basis and those paid on a weekly or biweekly basis. These stakeholders recommend that FNS increase income conversion accuracy by amending current SNAP regulations to carry the current factors out by two decimal places, specifically, to 4.33 for weekly income, and 2.17 for biweekly income. In 1971, Congress amended the Food Stamp Act of 1964 and directed FNS to establish standards of eligibility for the Food Stamp Program. In implementing the amendment, FNS began adjusting a household's monthly income to include income anticipated to be received during the certification period. For income received less frequently than a monthly basis, the factors used to average income were 4.3 for weekly income, and 2.15 for biweekly income. In the Food Stamp Act of 1977, Congress expanded the definition of anticipated income in Section 5(f) to include ``income reasonably anticipated to be received'' during the certification period, and again provided FNS the authority to establish standards for calculating anticipated income. The House Committee of Agriculture's Report on the Food Stamp Act of 1977 states that the purpose in adopting this standard was ``. . . to smooth the way for participation by the needy, not to place obstacles in their path by making them out to be less needy than they in fact are.'' FNS codified these conversion factors through rulemaking, including a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on May 2, 1978, and a Final Rule published on October 17, 1978. Between the Proposed Rulemaking and the Final Rule, FNS received nearly 500 comments regarding the sections on determining anticipated income. In the preamble to the Final Rule, FNS stated that ``State and local agencies were frequently concerned with the use of the proposed multipliers for converting income received on a weekly (4.3) or biweekly (2.15) basis. Some recommended using 4.333 and 2.167 to conform to the [Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)] factors for weekly and biweekly income conversions.'' To address this concern, in addition to using the established factors of 4.3 and 2.15, the Final Rule permitted State agencies to align their conversion factors with other public assistance programs, or to use the exact monthly figure if it could be obtained for the entire certification period. In 1981, Congress added Section 5(f)(4) to the Act and directed FNS to ensure, ``to the extent feasible,'' that the income of households receiving both Food Stamp benefits and benefits from AFDC, the predecessor to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, were ``calculated on a comparable basis under the two Acts.'' With this history in mind, FNS is seeking information from State agency partners and stakeholders on the following particular questions: 1. Of the three income conversion options provided by 7 CFR 273.10(c)(2)(i), which option does your State agency use? a. Why does your State agency use this particular option? b. What are the perceived strengths, if any, of this option? c. What are the perceived weaknesses, if any, of this option? 2. What, if any, administrative challenges would your State agency face in adopting a different income conversion option? 3. What, if any, technological challenges would your State agency face in adopting a different income conversion option? 4. Is there another methodology in converting weekly and biweekly income that FNS should consider? [[Page 13792]] a. Why should this methodology be used in place of the current options outlined in 7 CFR 273.10(c)(2)(i)? b. Does this methodology support the legislative intent of Congress in removing barriers to access to households in need of nutritional assistance? c. Does this methodology support the legislative intent of Congress to grant States more flexibility? Dated: March 6, 2017. Jessica Shahin, Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. [FR Doc. 2017-05133 Filed 3-14-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 15, 2017 / Notices 13791
included for the convenience of the (OMB) approval. All comments will be states that the purpose in adopting this
State agencies because the poverty a matter of public record. standard was ‘‘. . . to smooth the way
guidelines for Alaska and Hawaii are FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: for participation by the needy, not to
higher than for the 48 contiguous States. Requests for additional information or place obstacles in their path by making
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1786. copies of this request for information them out to be less needy than they in
should be directed to Sasha Gersten- fact are.’’
Dated: February 27, 2017.
Paal via email to Sasha.Gersten-Paal@ FNS codified these conversion factors
Jessica Shahin,
fns.usda.gov. through rulemaking, including a Notice
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition of Proposed Rulemaking published on
Service, USDA. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SNAP
regulations at 7 CFR 273.10(c)(2)(i) May 2, 1978, and a Final Rule published
[FR Doc. 2017–05119 Filed 3–14–17; 8:45 am] on October 17, 1978. Between the
provide State agencies with three
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
options when converting weekly and Proposed Rulemaking and the Final
biweekly income into anticipated Rule, FNS received nearly 500
monthly income: Multiplying by 4.3 for comments regarding the sections on
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE determining anticipated income. In the
weekly income or by 2.15 for biweekly
Food and Nutrition Service income; using the State agency’s public preamble to the Final Rule, FNS stated
assistance (PA) conversion standard; or, that ‘‘State and local agencies were
Request for Information: Supplemental using a household’s exact amount, if it frequently concerned with the use of the
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can be anticipated. These options have proposed multipliers for converting
Income Conversion Factors for been available to State agencies since income received on a weekly (4.3) or
Anticipated Income the enactment of the Food Stamp Act of biweekly (2.15) basis. Some
1977, and the majority of States opt to recommended using 4.333 and 2.167 to
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service conform to the [Aid to Families with
use the first set of conversion factors.
(FNS), USDA. Generally, when calculating a SNAP Dependent Children (AFDC)] factors for
ACTION: Notice. recipient’s benefit amount, the lower the weekly and biweekly income
recipient’s income, the greater their conversions.’’ To address this concern,
SUMMARY: The Food and Nutrition in addition to using the established
SNAP benefit will be. Some
Service (FNS) seeks input on the use of factors of 4.3 and 2.15, the Final Rule
stakeholders contend that using the first
the current Supplemental Nutrition permitted State agencies to align their
set of conversion factors (4.3 for weekly
Assistance Program (SNAP) income conversion factors with other public
income or 2.15 for biweekly income)
conversion factors used to anticipate a assistance programs, or to use the exact
underestimates a recipient’s actual
household’s income for the purposes of monthly figure if it could be obtained
monthly income, which in turn raises
SNAP eligibility when a household’s for the entire certification period.
the amount of the recipient’s SNAP
income is received on a weekly or In 1981, Congress added Section
benefit. These stakeholders maintain
biweekly basis. FNS hopes to obtain 5(f)(4) to the Act and directed FNS to
that not only does this result in an
perspective from State agencies and ensure, ‘‘to the extent feasible,’’ that the
overpayment to the recipient, it also
other stakeholders as it considers how income of households receiving both
creates inequity between SNAP
to best balance the flexibilities States are Food Stamp benefits and benefits from
recipients paid on a monthly basis and
granted in calculating anticipated AFDC, the predecessor to Temporary
those paid on a weekly or biweekly
monthly income under current SNAP Assistance for Needy Families, were
basis. These stakeholders recommend
regulations, while adhering to the ‘‘calculated on a comparable basis under
that FNS increase income conversion
legislative intent of reducing the two Acts.’’
accuracy by amending current SNAP
administrative burden on State agencies
regulations to carry the current factors With this history in mind, FNS is
and removing barriers to eligibility for
out by two decimal places, specifically, seeking information from State agency
needy households.
to 4.33 for weekly income, and 2.17 for partners and stakeholders on the
DATES: Written comments must be biweekly income. following particular questions:
received on or before May 15, 2017. In 1971, Congress amended the Food 1. Of the three income conversion
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Stamp Act of 1964 and directed FNS to options provided by 7 CFR
Sasha Gersten-Paal, Chief, Certification establish standards of eligibility for the 273.10(c)(2)(i), which option does your
Policy Branch, Program Development Food Stamp Program. In implementing State agency use?
Division, Food and Nutrition Service, the amendment, FNS began adjusting a a. Why does your State agency use
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 household’s monthly income to include this particular option?
Park Center Drive, Room 812, income anticipated to be received b. What are the perceived strengths, if
Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments will during the certification period. For any, of this option?
also be accepted through the Federal income received less frequently than a
eRulemaking Portal. Go to http:// monthly basis, the factors used to c. What are the perceived weaknesses,
www.regulations.gov and follow the average income were 4.3 for weekly if any, of this option?
online instructions for submitting income, and 2.15 for biweekly income. 2. What, if any, administrative
comments electronically. All written In the Food Stamp Act of 1977, challenges would your State agency face
in adopting a different income
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
comments will be open for public Congress expanded the definition of
inspection at the FNS office located at anticipated income in Section 5(f) to conversion option?
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, include ‘‘income reasonably anticipated 3. What, if any, technological
Virginia, 22302, Room 812, during to be received’’ during the certification challenges would your State agency face
regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 period, and again provided FNS the in adopting a different income
p.m., Monday through Friday). All authority to establish standards for conversion option?
responses to this notice will be calculating anticipated income. The 4. Is there another methodology in
summarized and included in the request House Committee of Agriculture’s converting weekly and biweekly income
for Office of Management and Budget Report on the Food Stamp Act of 1977 that FNS should consider?
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![13792 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 15, 2017 / Notices
a. Why should this methodology be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Survey Independent Listing Operation.
used in place of the current options Joseph Garrotto, Designated Federal This collection was subsequently
outlined in 7 CFR 273.10(c)(2)(i)? Officer, by phone at (775) 352–1215 or cancelled. This Correction Notice serves
b. Does this methodology support the via email at jgarrotto@fs.fed.us. as notification of the cancellation of this
legislative intent of Congress in Individuals who use collection after the Federal Register
removing barriers to access to telecommunication devices for the deaf Notice was published for public
households in need of nutritional (TDD) may call the Federal Information comment.
assistance? Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Sheleen Dumas,
c. Does this methodology support the
legislative intent of Congress to grant Eastern Standard Time, Monday PRA Departmental Lead, Office of the Chief
States more flexibility? through Friday. Information Officer.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The [FR Doc. 2017–05142 Filed 3–14–17; 8:45 am]
Dated: March 6, 2017.
Jessica Shahin,
purpose of the meeting is to: BILLING CODE 3510–07–P
1. Elect Chair/Vice Chairperson, and
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition 2. Review and recommend project
Service.
proposals for Title II funds. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[FR Doc. 2017–05133 Filed 3–14–17; 8:45 am] The meeting is open to the public.
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P The agenda will include time for people International Trade Administration
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by March 15, 2017, to be scheduled on Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon-Quality
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Dated: February 24, 2017.
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Glenn Casamassa,
meeting prior to attendance, please are above de minimis and that Dongkuk
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National
contact the person listed under FOR Steel Mill Co., Ltd. (DSM) received
Forest System.
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[FR Doc. 2017–05101 Filed 3–14–17; 8:45 am]
minimis. Therefore, we are applying to
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
the five firms not selected for individual
the USDA Service Center, 3275 examination in the administrative
Fountain Way, Winnemucca, Nevada
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asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
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Document Created: 2017-03-15 06:04:15
Document Modified: 2017-03-15 06:04:15
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Written comments must be received on or before May 15, 2017. | |
| Contact | Requests for additional information or copies of this request for information should be directed to Sasha Gersten-Paal via email to [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 13791 |
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