Notice2026-04203
Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirement for Interstate Data Matching To Prevent Multiple Issuances
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
March 3, 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 information collection request (ICR) is a revision of a currently approved collection associated with the National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10365-10369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04203]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program: Requirement for Interstate Data Matching To Prevent
Multiple Issuances
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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[[Page 10366]]
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 information collection
request (ICR) is a revision of a currently approved collection
associated with the National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC).
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 4, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Food and Nutrition Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Attention SAB Branch Chief, 1320 Braddock
Place, 5th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314. Comments may also be submitted
via fax to the attention of SAB Branch Chief at 703-605-4272 or via
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3c4f51125a52124f525d4c4f5d5e7c494f585d125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afdcc281c9c181dcc1cedfdccecdefdadccbce81c8c0d9">[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 (OMB) 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 Jennifer
Ragan at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#681b05460e06461b0609181b090a281d1b0c09460f071e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="30435d1e565e1e435e514043515270454354511e575f46">[email protected]</span></a>.
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: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program--Requirement for
Interstate Data Matching To Prevent Multiple Issuances.
Form Number: N/A.
OMB Control Number: 0584-0684.
Expiration Date: 05/31/2026.
Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Abstract: The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 required the
Secretary of Agriculture to establish an interstate data system called
the NAC to prevent multiple issuances of Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to an individual by more than one
State agency simultaneously in the same month (also known as interstate
duplicate participation). We are using an updated methodology to
estimate the burden of this information collection. Since the launch of
the NAC, we now have actual data available, allowing more accurate
estimates than in the previous information collection.
State Agencies (One-Time Burden)
Under regulations at 7CFR 272.18(b)(1), 53 State agencies must set
up a new process to report their caseloads to the NAC (this is a one-
time burden). Of the 53 State agencies, 27 are scheduled to complete
their estimated burden for this activity under the currently approved
burden. The remaining 26 State agencies will respond once each for a
total of 26 responses. It will take each State agency 5,760 hours for a
total of 149,760 burden hours (26 State agency responses x 5,760 hours
= 149,760 total burden hours). The currently approved burden represents
53 respondents at 5,760 hours each for a total of 101,760 burden hours,
so this revision represents an increase of 48,000 hours (149,760
revised burden hours-101,760 currently approved burden hours = 48,000
hours). Based on real world State development, we are updating our
estimate for the time required to set up a new system from 12 weeks to
36 weeks. Depending on system design, set-up can include arranging an
automated daily export of active participants to send to the NAC and
updating software that manages workflows for certification,
recertification, as well as the addition of new household members to
query the NAC before certifying benefits.
Under 7CFR 272.18(c), State agencies must perform queries using the
NAC to determine if an individual is currently receiving SNAP benefits
in another State. FNS estimates that 200 eligibility workers from each
of the 26 State agencies that have yet to implement the NAC will need
to receive training on how to properly incorporate the system into
existing business processes, for a total of 5,200 workers (200
eligibility workers x 26 State agencies = 5,200 eligibility workers).
FNS also estimates it will take each State agency approximately 10
hours to train an eligibility worker for a total of 52,000 burden hours
(5,200 eligibility workers x 10 hours = 52,000 burden hours). This
includes general training on business practices for the NAC as well as
the NAC system, testing and troubleshooting, and authentication for
eligibility workers to access the system. The current ICR was approved
for 106,000 burden hours, so this revision represents a decrease of
54,000 hours (106,000 currently approved burden hours-52,000 revised
burden hours = 54,000 burden hours).
Under 7CFR 272.18(a)(3), 26 State agencies will enter into an
initial Computer Matching Agreement (CMA) with FNS to participate in
the NAC. Each of the 26 remaining State agencies implementing the NAC
will each produce approximately 1 response for a total of 26 responses.
FNS estimates it will take 30 hours for each State agency to review,
complete any necessary draft changes, and submit a CMA to FNS for a
total of 780 burden hours (26 State agencies x 30 burden hours = 780
burden hours). The currently approved ICR accounts for 795 burden
hours, so this revision represents a decrease of 15 hours (795
currently approved burden hours-780 revised burden hours = 15 burden
hours). CMAs must be renewed annually and reestablished every 18
months, so we have estimated this burden to be an average of 35 hours
per response. This activity will also appear in the ``Ongoing Burden''
section below for all 53 State agencies and on the burden table.
The total estimated burden for one-time activities under this
revised ICR is 202,540 hours. The currently approved ICR accounts for
208,555 burden hours, so this revision represents a decrease of 6,015
hours (208,555 currently approved burden hours-202,540 revised burden
hours = 6,015 burden hours).
State Agencies (Ongoing Burden)
Per Federal regulations at 7CFR 272.18(b)(2), (3), and (4), 53
State agencies must submit their SNAP caseloads to the NAC once per
working day. This ensures that State agencies can query the NAC at any
time and check for duplicate participation against the most recent
caseloads of other State agencies in real time. There are approximately
261 working days in a year, therefore FNS estimates 261 annual
responses per State agency for estimated 13,833 total annual responses
(261 responses x 53 State agencies = 13,833 total responses). FNS
estimates that it will take one hour for each State agency to upload
their caseload to the NAC, for an annual burden of 13,833 hours for
State agencies (13,833 responses x 1 hour per response = 13,833 burden
hours). There is no
[[Page 10367]]
change from the currently approved ICR for this activity.
Per Federal regulations at 7CFR 272.18(c)(1) and (2), 53 State
agencies will be required to query the NAC at new application,
recertification, or adding a new household member. In this revised ICR
request, FNS used data from seven States that have fully implemented
the NAC and annualized caseload data from the remaining 46 State
agencies. With this revision, FNS estimates 1,246,146.97 total
responses (queries) per State agency for a total of 66,045,789.54
estimated responses (1,246,146.97 responses x 53 State agencies =
66,045,789.54 responses). FNS estimates that it takes approximately
0.0167 hours (1 minute) for each response (for the State worker to
conduct a query), for a revised total annual burden estimate of
1,102,964.69 annual burden hours (66,045,789.41 responses x 0.0167
hours = 1,102,964.69 burden hours). The currently approved ICR used FY
2017 application data and accounts for 300,718.07 burden hours, so this
revision represents an increase of 802,246.61 hours (1,102,964.69
revised burden hours-300,718.07 currently approved burden hours =
802,246.61 burden hours). Although this burden estimate has
significantly increased, FNS believes this is a more accurate estimate.
The currently approved ICR only used new application data, whereas the
estimate for this ICR used the average number of times that 53 State
agencies may be required to query the NAC annually, which is at new
application, recertification of a household, and the addition of a new
household member.
Per Federal regulations at 7CFR 272.18(c)(3) and (5), 7CFR
273.12(c)(3), and 7CFR 273.2(f)(2), 53 State agencies are required to
verify information following a positive NAC match. Verification of
information may include documentation of contact with an applicant or
the other State agency to confirm information as needed. The estimates
in the currently approved ICR used data from 5 States with matches at
initial application. The currently approved ICR estimated 4,612
responses per State agency, for a total number of 244,413 responses
(instances where States would need to verify questionable or unclear
information following a `valid' match). FNS estimated that each
response would take 0.1002 hours (6 minutes), for approximately
24,490.19 annual burden hours (244,413 responses x 0.1002 burden hours
= 24,490.19 burden hours). The revised ICR estimate is based on the
number of matches found and average monthly caseload from seven States
that have fully implemented the NAC and the average active caseload
data from the remaining 46 States. FNS estimates this will produce
approximately 849.87 responses per State agency for a total annual
estimate of 45,043.05 NAC matches that State agencies would be required
to act on (53 State agencies x 849.87 responses = 45,043.05 total
responses). FNS continues to estimate on average it will take a State
agency approximately 0.1002 hours (6 minutes) to take such required
action, for a total of 4,513.31 burden hours (45,043.05 responses x
0.1002 hours = 4,513.31 burden hours). The currently approved burden
for this activity is 24,490.19 burden hours. This revised estimate
reflects a decrease of 19,976.88 hours for the time associated with
verification following a NAC match (24,490.19 currently approved burden
hours-4,513.31 revised burden hours = 19,976.88 burden hours).
Under Federal regulations at 7CFR 272.18(c)(3), State agencies are
required to issue a notice of match results to a household following a
positive NAC match at application, recertification, or addition of a
new household member. Using similar methodology as that used to
calculate the burden for verifying information following a positive NAC
match, FNS estimates that issuing a notice of match results will
produce approximately 849.87 responses per State agency for a total
annual number of 45,043.05 notices of match results (53 State agencies
x 849.87 responses = 45,043.05 responses). FNS also estimates it will
take each State agency approximately 0.0501 hours (3 minutes per State
agency) for a total of 2,256.66 burden hours (45,043.11 responses x
0.0501 hours = 2,256.66 burden hours). The previously approved burden
for this activity is 20,526.45 burden hours. This revised estimate
reflects a decrease of 18,269.79 hours for the time associated with
issuing a notice of match results (20,526.45 currently approved burden
hours-2,256.66 revised burden hours = 18,269.79 burden hours).
Federal regulations at 7CFR 272.18(c)(5), 273.12(c)(3)(iv)(A) and
273.13(a)(2), require State agencies to issue a combined notice of
match results and adverse action to a household for a positive NAC
match found during the certification period for an individual currently
participating in SNAP in the State. FNS used a similar methodology to
estimate that issuing such a combined notice will produce approximately
849.87 responses per State agency for a total annual number of
45,043.05 combined notices of match results and adverse action (53
State agencies x 849.87 responses = 45,043.05 responses). Each State
agency will take approximately 0.0501 hours (3 minutes per State
agency) for this activity for a total of 2,256.66 ongoing annual burden
hours (45,04311 responses x 0.0501 hours = 2,256.66 burden hours). The
currently approved burden for this activity is 20,526.45 burden hours.
This revised estimate reflects a decrease of 18,269.79 hours for the
time associated with issuing a combined notice of match results and
adverse action (20,526.45 currently approved burden hours-2,256.66
revised burden hours = 18,269.79 burden hours).
Per Federal regulations at 272.18(a)(3), 53 State agencies will
enter into a CMA with FNS to continue using the NAC. This will produce
1 response per State agency for a total of 53 responses. The CMA
reestablishment is effective for an 18-month period, and the CMA
renewal is effective for a 12-month period. The reestablishment period
is estimated to take 30 hours per 18-month period, whereas the renewal
period is estimated to take 15 hours per 12-month period to complete.
FNS estimates it will take an average of 35 hours annually for each
State agency to review, complete any necessary draft changes, and
submit the CMA to FNS for a total of 1,855 ongoing annual burden hours
(53 State agencies x 35 burden hours = 1,855 burden hours). This burden
activity was not included in the currently approved ICR, so this
represents a new burden.
Individuals/Households Burden
Per Federal regulations at 272.18(c)(5) and 273.12(c)(3)(iii),
45,043.05 individuals/households will be required to respond to a
notice of match results issued by the State agency following a NAC
match found at new application, case recertification, or the addition
of a new household member. FNS estimates this will produce
approximately 1 response per household for a total of 45,043.05
responses. FNS also estimates it will take each individual/household
approximately 0.0835 hours (5 minutes) for a total of 3,761.09 ongoing
burden hours (45,043.05 responses x 0.0835 burden hours = 3,761.09
burden hours). The currently approved burden for this activity is
34,210.75 burden hours. This revised estimate reflects a decrease of
30,449.66 hours for the time associated with responding to a notice of
match results (34,210.75 currently approved burden hours-3,761.09
revised burden hours = 30,449.66 burden hours).
Under 7CFR 272.18(c)(5) and 273.13(a), 45,043.05 individuals/
households will be required to respond to a combined notice of match
results and notice of adverse action following a
[[Page 10368]]
NAC match found during the certification period for an individual
currently participating in SNAP in the State. FNS estimates this will
produce approximately 1 response per household for a total of 45,043.05
responses. FNS also estimates it will take each individual/household
approximately 0.0835 hours (5 minutes) for a total of 3,761.09 burden
hours (45,043.05 responses x 0.0835 burden hours = 3,761.09 burden
hours). The currently approved burden for this activity is 34,210.75
burden hours. This revised estimate reflects a decrease of 30,449.66
hours for the time associated with responding to a combined notice of
match results and notice of adverse action (34,210.75 currently
approved burden hours-3,761.09 revised burden hours = 30,449.66 burden
hours).
The currently approved ICR includes an individual/household burden
activity estimate for ``verification of questionable information
following positive NAC match at query'' using the same FY17 initial
application data as that used to calculate the potential number of
queries. An estimated 244,413 individuals/households would aid in
verification of information following a positive NAC match, producing
approximately 1 response per individual/household for an annual total
of 244,413 responses. FNS estimates it would take each individual/
household 0.0668 hours (4 minutes) for a total of 16,326.79 annual
burden hours (244,413 responses x 0.0668 hours = 16,326.79 burden
hours). This was based on an assumption that the individual/household
would assist in verification during the existing State business
processes, such as in the interview, and did not require an entirely
new process. FNS believes that this burden activity is duplicative of
responding to notices, which is the actual burden activity placed on
individuals/households regarding the NAC. Any burdensome `verification
of information following a NAC match' on the part of the individual/
household is the act of responding to a notice of match results or
combined notice of match results and adverse action. Thus, this
particular burden activity included in the original ICR has been
removed in this revision request. This adjustment reflects a decrease
of 16,326.79 burden hours.
Reporting
For One-Time Burden Activities
Affected Public: State Government agencies.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 26.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 202.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 5,252.
Estimated Time per Response: 38.5644 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 202,540 hours.
Reporting
For Ongoing Burden Activities
Affected Public: State Government Agencies.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 53.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1,248,958.58.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 66,194,804.70.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.0170 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,127,679.31 hours.
Reporting
Affected Public: Individuals/Households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 45,043.05.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 90,086.11.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.0835 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,522.19 hours.
Grand Total Annual Reporting Burden for This ICR
Estimated Number of Respondents: 45,122.05.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1,469.1297.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 66,290,142.8.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.0202 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,337,741.5 hours.
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Estimated Estimated
Type of respondents Estimated Responses per Total annual hours per total burden
Respondent category (affected public) (optional) Burden activity CFR citation number of respondent responses response (Col. hours (Col. G
respondents (Col. G/E) (Col. E X F) J/H) x H)
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REPORTING
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State Government..................... State Agency One-Time Set-up for system to 272.18(a)(2), 26.00 1.00 26.00 5,760.00 149,760.00
Burden *. report caseload to NAC. 272.18(a)(3).
Training to use NAC 272.18(b), 272.18(c)... 26.00 200.00 5,200.00 10.00 52,000.00
System.
Computer Matching 272.18(a)(3)........... 26.00 1.00 26.00 30.00 780.00
Agreement (Initial).
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State Government One-Time Subtotal 26.00 202.00 5,252.00 38.5644 202,540.00
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State Agency Ongoing Daily submission of 272.18(b)(2), 53.00 261.00 13,833.00 1.00 13,833.00
Burden. active caseload to NAC. 272.18(b)(3),
272.18(b)(4).
NAC--Screening 272.18(c)(1), 53.00 1,246,146.97 66,045,789.54 0.0167 1,102,964.69
Applicants (Queries). 272.18(c)(2).
NAC--Verification of 272.18(c)(3), 53.00 849.87 45,043.05 0.1002 4,513.31
information following 273.2(f)(2),
a positive NAC match. 272.18(c)(5),
273.12(c)(3).
NAC--Notice of Match 272.18(c)(3)(ii), 53.00 849.87 45,043.05 0.0501 2,256.66
Results. 272.18(c)(3)(iii)(A).
NAC--Combined Notice of 272.18(c)(5), 53.00 849.87 45,043.05 0.0501 2,256.66
Match Results and 273.12(c)(3)(iv)(A),
Notice of Adverse 273.13(a)(2).
Action.
[[Page 10369]]
Computer Matching 272.18(a)(3)........... 53.00 1.00 53.00 35.00 1,855.00
Agreement (NEW--This
burden activity was
not included in the
original ICR).
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State Government Ongoing Subtotal 53.00 1,248,958.58 66,194,804.70 0.0170 1,127,679.31
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Individuals/Household Ongoing................................. Respond to Notice of 272.18(c)(5), 45,043.05 1.00 45,043.05 0.0835 3,761.09
Match Results 273.12(c)(3)(iii).
following positive NAC
match.
Respond to Notice of 272.18(c)(5), 273.13(a) 45,043.05 1.00 45,043.05 0.0835 3,761.09
Match Results and
Adverse Action
following positive NAC
match.
Verification of 272.18(c)(2), 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.0000 0.00
questionable 273.2(f)(1)&(2).
information following
positive NAC match at
query.
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Individuals/Household Ongoing Subtotal 45,043.05 2.00 90,086.11 0.0835 7,522.19
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Ongoing Subtotal............................................................................................ 45,096.05 1,469.8602 66,284,890.80 0.0171 1,135,201.50
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Grand Total Reporting Burden............................................................................ 45,122.05 1,469.1297 66,290,142.80 0.0202 1,337,741.50
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* This one-time burden estimate is for the remaining 26 State agencies that have not yet implemented the NAC.
Patrick A. Penn
Deputy Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.
[FR Doc. 2026-04203 Filed 3-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
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