Information Collection: Recordkeeping of D-SNAP Benefit Issuance and Commodity Distribution for Disaster Relief

This information collection pertains only to the recordkeeping burden associated with forms FNS-292A and FNS-292B. The reporting burden associated with these forms is approved under OMB No. 0584-0594 (Food Program Reporting System; expiration date: 7/31/2023). The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) utilizes forms FNS-292A and FNS-292B to collect information not otherwise available on the extent of FNS-funded disaster relief operations.

The total number of respondents who could utilize commodities for disaster relief is approximately 190 state agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations administering the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or the USDA Foods in Schools program. However, the total number of state agencies potentially using this form in a given year is 108 (55 Food Distribution state agencies for Form FNS-292A; and, 53 state SNAP agencies will maintain the Form FNS-292B).

Form FNS-292A, Report of Commodity Distribution for Disaster Relief, is used by state distributing agencies, including Indian Tribal Organizations administering FDPIR or CSFP, to provide a summary report to FNS following termination of disaster commodity assistance and to request replacement of donated foods distributed during the disaster or situation of distress.

Donated food distribution in disaster situations is authorized under Section 32 of the Act of Aug. 24, 1935 (7 USC 612c); Section 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 USC 1431); Section 709 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1965 (7 USC 1446a-1); Section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 USC 612c note); and by Sections 412 and 413 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 USC 5179, 5180). Program implementing regulations are contained in Part 250 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

In accordance with 7 CFR 250.69(f) and 7 CFR 250.70(f), state distributing agencies shall provide a summary report to FNS within 45 days following termination of the disaster assistance, and maintain records of these reports and other information relating to disasters. The number of disasters that will result in a state distributing agency requesting to operate a disaster commodity assistance in a given year is impossible to predict. However, 55 is the maximum number of state distributing agencies that have ever utilized disaster commodity assistance in a given year. Accordingly, FNS is estimating this burden by assuming that, at maximum, 55 state distributing agency will distribute donated foods during a disaster or situation of distress once per year.

Form FNS-292B, Report of Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefit Issuance, is used by 53 state SNAP agencies to report to FNS the number of households and persons certified for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits as well as the value of benefits issued. D-SNAP is a separate program from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and is authorized by Sections 402 and 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 USC 5121 et seq.) and the temporary emergency provisions contained in Section 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, and in 7 CFR  280 of the SNAP regulations.

State agencies may request FNS approval to operate a D-SNAP to address the temporary food needs of certain households in affected areas following a disaster after certain criteria is met. If approved to operate D-SNAP by FNS, a state agency must submit its final FNS-292B to FNS within 45 days of terminating D-SNAP operations, and maintain records of this report. Similarly, the number of disasters that result in a state SNAP agency requesting to operate D-SNAP in a given year is impossible to predict. However, FNS is estimating this burden assuming that, at maximum, each of the 53 state SNAP agencies will request and be approved to operate D-SNAP once per year.