Notice2026-00091
Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): A Review of Major Changes in Program Design and Management Evaluation Systems
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 7, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentFood and Nutrition Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is a revision of a currently approved collection. This information collection is associated with State agencies' notification and data collection activities associated with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program review of major changes in program design at the State level.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 496-499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00091]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP): A Review of Major Changes in Program Design
and Management Evaluation Systems
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment
on this proposed information collection. This is a revision of a
currently approved collection. This information collection is
associated with State agencies' notification and data collection
activities associated with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
review of major changes in program design at the State level.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Sasha Gersten-Paal, Director,
Program Development Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S.
Department of
[[Page 497]]
Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place, 5th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314.
Comments may also be submitted via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cdbeacbea5ace3aaa8bfbeb9a8a3e0bdacaca18db8bea9ace3aaa2bb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="463527352e2768212334353223286b3627272a063335222768212930">[email protected]</span></a>. Comments will also be accepted through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal. Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, and follow the
online instructions for submitting comments electronically. All
responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request
for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will be a
matter of public record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of this information collection should be directed to Sasha
Gersten-Paal at 703-305-2507.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the
information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
that were used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden
of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Title: A Review of Major Changes in Program Design and Management
Evaluation Systems.
Form Number: N/A.
OMB Control Number: 0584-0579.
Expiration Date: 5/31/2026.
Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Abstract: Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the
Act) (7 U.S.C. 2020), as amended, requires the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to develop
standards for identifying major changes in the operations of State
agencies that administer SNAP. Regulations at 7 CFR 272.15 require
State agencies to notify the FNS when planning to implement a major
change in operations and to collect any information required by FNS to
identify and correct any adverse effects on program integrity or
access. 7 CFR 272.15(a)(2) outlines the categories of major changes to
include: the closure of a local office, substantial increased reliance
on automated systems, changes in operations that potentially increase
difficulty for household reporting, the reduction or change of
functions or responsibilities assigned to merit system personnel, a
decrease in the number of merit system personnel involved in the SNAP
certification process, or other major changes identified by FNS.
FNS is requesting to increase the burden estimates to account for
increased reliance on automated systems, such as robotic process
automation (RPA) or bots as a result of FNS' January 10, 2024, guidance
on the use of advanced automation in SNAP. FNS is also requesting to
increase burden estimates to account for State agencies implementing
major changes in non-merit personnel, in response to FNS' March 20,
2024, clarification of guidance on the use of non-merit personnel in
the administration of SNAP. Compared to prior collections, there is a
noticeable rise in reports of major changes involving the use of non-
merit personnel and automated systems, such as robotic process
automation (RPA) or bots in SNAP administration. Recent patterns show
an increase in the number of State agencies implementing major changes
and an increase in the frequency of submissions per State agency. The
frequency and timing of major changes to program operations remain with
individual State agencies. State agencies make such changes in
operations based upon a variety of interrelated factors.
Prior to any major change to State operations, regulations at 7 CFR
272.15(a)(3) require State agencies to provide FNS with descriptive
information regarding the major change and an analysis of its projected
impact on program operations. In an effort to reduce the burden of this
collection, FNS provides a template for State agencies to submit
notification of major changes in SNAP design electronically through the
Waiver Information Management System (WIMS).
FNS reviews State notifications to determine if the described
changes in program operations meet the criteria at 272.15(b). Some
State notifications do not meet the major change criteria outlined in
regulation. However, if FNS determines the notification meets the major
change criteria, regulations at 7 CFR 272.15(b)(1)-(6) require State
agencies to collect and report monthly State-level data on application
processing metrics, listed at 7 CFR 272.15(b)(1)(i)-(xvii). Although
the data is generally State level, it may be more targeted. 7 CFR
272.15(b)(4) in part, specifies, ``while the data elements outlined in
paragraph (b)(2) of this section will generally be required to be
reported on a statewide basis and at a sub-state level, major changes
that are limited to localized areas, such as a county or project area,
may only require reporting''.
State submissions of the reports are required beginning with the
quarter prior to pilot/implementation of the major change continuing
for one year after full implementation. 7 CFR 272.15(b)(2) in part,
necessitates ``data must be reported separately for households with
elderly and/or disabled members''. All required data reporting related
to the implementation of the major change in program design must be
disaggregated to show separate results for households that include an
elderly and/or disabled member. This separation ensures that FNS can
assess the impact of the program change on vulnerable households.
When a State agency implements a major change that allows
households to report changes or apply or reapply for SNAP through the
use of a call center, 7 CFR 272.15(b)(4)(iv) requires the collection of
specific information related to customer service impacts. This
information must be submitted to FNS on a quarterly basis. FNS may
require pilot data and statewide impact data for one year following
full implementation. State agencies meet this requirement by submitting
the information electronically via WIMS. In an effort to reduce the
reporting burden, FNS provides standardized templates to facilitate the
collection and submission of the required information.
Regulations at 272.15(b)(4) give FNS the authority to request
additional data beyond the mandatory data reporting elements outlined
at 272.15(b)(1)-(3). Depending on the nature of the major change, State
agencies may be required to report more specific or timely information
concerning impacts on payment accuracy, which may include additional
caseload data focused on households with particular characteristics.
FNS will collaborate with State agencies to determine what additional
information is practicable and will require only the data that is
necessary to evaluate the impact of the major change. FNS uses the data
reported under these provisions to provide technical assistance, as
needed, monitor the impact of State agency changes, and identify
compliance or performance issues early.
7 CFR 272.15(a)(3) Initial analysis of major changes: Based upon
FNS's experience over the last three years of the 53 State agencies
affected by this data collection, an estimated 20 State agencies will
notify FNS of two major changes annually and provide analysis of the
projected impact. Assuming an
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average of two major changes per State agency per year, this results in
approximately 40 initial annual analysis responses. At an estimated 60
hours per initial response, the total annual burden for this activity
is 2,400 burden hours.
7 CFR 272.15(b)(1)-(3) Reports required without additional data
collection: If FNS determines the State's notification qualifies as a
major change, State agencies must submit quarterly reports to FNS that
include the mandatory reporting elements outlined in 7 CFR
272.15(b)(1)-(3) and may be subject to additional requirements
depending on the nature of the change. FNS projects that 33 of the 40
major change notifications expected each year would qualify as major
changes in program design, thereby triggering mandatory quarterly
reporting. All 33 of these major changes will require State agencies to
collect and report data to FNS as specified in 7 CFR 272.15(b)(1)-(3).
FNS estimates 20 (non-duplicated respondents) State agencies will
submit reports for each of the 33 major changes on a quarterly basis,
resulting in 132 annual responses. Some reprogramming of the State's
SNAP eligibility system is expected to facilitate the production of the
quarterly reports. Each report is estimated to require 70 hours of
effort. The total annual burden for this activity is 9,240 hours.
7 CFR 272.15(b)(4)(iv) Impact of certain major changes on customer
service: States that notify FNS of major changes related to SNAP call
center operations must also collect and submit additional customer
service-related data. FNS projects that 8 of the 33 major changes would
require the State agency to provide customer service-related data.
Therefore, FNS estimates 8 State agencies will submit this report
quarterly for a total of 4 responses/reports annually, totaling 32
annual responses. At an estimated 50 hours per report, the total annual
burden for this activity is 1,600 hours.
7 CFR 272.15(b)(4) Reports required with additional data
collection: FNS estimates that one State agency will be required to
report additional data on a quarterly basis for a total of 4 annual
responses/reports. At an estimated 70 hours per report, the total
annual burden for this activity is 280 hours.
FNS estimates that 20 State agencies will report a total of 40
major changes. Thirty-three of the 40 will qualify as major changes in
SNAP design. Based on the required quarterly reporting, FNS estimates
132 responses for major changes, an additional 32 customer service-
related responses for States with call center operations, and 4
responses for States required to submit additional data, State agencies
will submit a total of 208 total annual responses. Considering 2,400
hours for States to notify FNS of major changes in SNAP design, the
9,240 hours for reports required without additional data, 1,600 hours
for reports that contain call center operations, and 280 hours for
reports required with additional data are added, the total for the 20
State agencies is 13,520 total annual burden hours.
Additional information: The previously approved collection is
titled ``Major Changes in Program Design and Management Evaluations'';
however, the most appropriate title is ``Major Changes in Program
Design''. Since management evaluation information is not collected
under this request, the change in the title captures the nature of the
information collection request. Management evaluation data is collected
under OMB control number 0584-0010, expiration 8/31/2026. The
previously approved collection included 13 respondents (State
agencies), 85 responses (Appendices C through E and additional
collection), and 8,860 annual burden hours. FNS estimates the revised
burden includes 20 respondents (State agencies), 208 responses
(Appendices C through E and additional collection), and 13,520 total
annual burden hours. The revision in burden hours is based on an
expected increased number of respondents from 13 to 20 and frequency in
responses from one to two. The number of responses to mandatory
quarterly reporting increased from 32 annual responses to 132 annual
responses, the number of responses to quarterly reporting for call
center modifications increased from 20 responses to 32 annual
responses, and the number of responses for reporting in addition to
mandatory reports decreased from 20 annual responses to 4 annual
responses. The overall total annual burden hours have increased from
8,860 to 13,520. FNS is requesting to increase the burden estimates to
account for increases in State agencies implementing major changes in
non-merit personnel, in response to FNS' March 20, 2024, clarification
of guidance on the use of non-merit personnel in the administration of
SNAP. State agencies also increased reliance on automated systems, such
as robotic process automation (RPA) or bots as a result of FNS' January
10, 2024, guidance on the use of advanced automation in SNAP.
Additional data collection on advanced automation is necessary to
identify and correct any adverse effect on program integrity or access
including access by vulnerable households.
This information collection does not contain burden associated with
record keeping and/or third-party public disclosures.
Summary of Burden Hours
Reporting
Affected Public: State agencies.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 20. An average of 20 State
agencies notify FNS of major change in SNAP design per year. This
represents an increase from the previous information collection based
on recent trends and focuses on innovative and modernized systems.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10. This represents
an increase from the previous information collection based on recent
trends and focuses on non-merit staff use, innovative and modernized
systems.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 208. This represents an increase
from the previous information collection based on recent trends.
Estimated Time per Response: 65. State agencies have not reported
changes to the estimated time per response since the last review.
However, the number of responses with additional data reporting
decreased, therefore, the estimated time per response decreased to 65
hours per response.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 13,520.
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Estimated
Responses Total Estimated total
Respondent category (affected Type of respondents Forms/instruments CFR citation Estimated per annual hours per burden
public) (optional) Burden activity (optional column) (optional column) number of respondent responses response hours
respondents (Col. H/F) (Col. F x (Col. J/H) (Col. H x
G) I)
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State Government................... State, Local, and Major Change.......... Major Changes 7 CFR 272.15(a)(3)... 20 2 40 60 2,400
Tribal Governments. Notification Template.
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Major Changes 7 CFR 272.15(b)(1)- 33 4 132 70 9,240
Quarterly Reporting (3).
Template (Appendix D).
Major Changes 7 CFR 8 4 32 50 1,600
Quarterly Reporting 272.15(b)(4)(iv).
Template for Call
Center Modifications.
7 CFR 272.15(b)(4)... 1 4 4 70 280
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State Government Sub-Total......... State Agency Subtotal Reporting 20 10 208 65 13,520
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Patrick A. Penn,
Acting Administrator, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food
and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2026-00091 Filed 1-6-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 7, 2026.
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