Notice2026-10468
Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: State Agency Options for Standard Utility Allowances and Self-Employment Income
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
May 27, 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 addresses the State agency reporting and recordkeeping burden associated with the following State agency options under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): establishing and reviewing standard utility allowances (SUAs) and establishing methodology for offsetting cost of producing self-employment income.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31401-31403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10468]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 27, 2026 /
Notices
[[Page 31401]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program: State Agency Options for Standard Utility
Allowances and Self-Employment Income
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), 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 addresses
the State agency reporting and recordkeeping burden associated with the
following State agency options under the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP): establishing and reviewing standard utility
allowances (SUAs) and establishing methodology for offsetting cost of
producing self-employment income.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before July 27, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Kari Hardgrove, Food and Nutrition
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place, 5th
Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314. Comments may also be submitted via email
at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eab9a4abbaa9baa8b89f868f99aa9f998e8bc48d859c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="297a6768796a796b7b5c454c5a695c5a4d48074e465f">[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 Alexandra
Schklair via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#164558574655465444637a7365566365727738717960"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="30637e716073607262455c554370454354511e575f46">[email protected]</span></a> or by phone at 703-305-
2022.
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: State Agency
Options for Standard Utility Allowances and Self-Employment Income.
Form Number: N/A.
OMB Control Number: 0584-0496.
Expiration Date: July 31, 2026.
Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Abstract: The information collection addresses the mandatory State
agency information and burden estimates associated with the following
State agency options under SNAP: establishing a methodology for
offsetting cost of producing self-employment income and establishing
and reviewing SUAs.
SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.11(b) require State agencies to
calculate a household's self-employment income by excluding the cost of
producing such income. The regulations allow State agencies, with
approval from FNS, to establish the methodology for offsetting the
costs of producing self-employment income, as long as the procedure
does not increase program costs. Once approved by FNS via email, States
can use these methodologies to determine net self-employment income for
SNAP eligibility purposes.
SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.9(d)(6)(iii) allow State agencies to
establish SUAs in place of the actual utility costs incurred by a
household. State agencies must review and adjust SUAs annually to
reflect changes in the costs of utilities. The final rule titled,
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Standardization of Heating
and Cooling Standard Utility Allowance (the final rule), published
November 18, 2024, revised SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.9(d)(6)(iii)
to add the requirement that State agencies must submit for FNS approval
their SUA methodologies at least every five years. Methodology
submissions must incorporate any revisions necessary to demonstrate
that the baseline expenditure data and underlying methodology reflect
recent trends and changes. Additionally, State agencies' methodologies
must:
<bullet> Reflect the entire state or geographic area the SUA
covers;
<bullet> Use data sourced from utility providers or similarly
reliable source;
<bullet> Reflect expenses incurred by low-income households; and
<bullet> Reflect residential utility expenses.
This revision incorporates the ongoing burden from the final rule,
which is currently covered in OMB Control Number 0584-0651, expiration
determined by final codification with the final rule. Following OMB
approval of this revision, the Department plans to publish an
additional notice in the Federal Register discontinuing 0584-0651 to
reduce duplicative information collections since both capture SUA
methodology burden.
Using FNS-388 and 388A (both approved under OMB Control Number
0584-0594, expiration date: 09/30/2026), States send aggregate level
data on participation, benefits issued, and other basic program
information to FNS using the Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS) at
<a href="https://fprs.fns.usda.gov">https://fprs.fns.usda.gov</a>. This collection uses information submitted
in these FNS approved forms as supplemental data. However, this
collection is not seeking approval for burden hours associated with the
use of these forms because the burden is already accounted for under
OMB Control Number 0584-0594.
Reporting Estimate
Self-Employment Methodology
Based on information in the Sixteenth Edition of the SNAP State
Options
[[Page 31402]]
Report,\1\ 23 out of 53 State agencies have already incorporated a
methodology for determining the cost of doing business in self-
employment cases, which was the basis of the previous burden estimate.
Over the next three years this collection covers, FNS estimates that
five (5) State agencies will establish a new methodology for offsetting
the cost of producing self-employment income, either for the first time
or as an update to their current methodology. This estimate is based on
past consultations with three (3) FNS regional offices. FNS maintains
its estimate from the previous renewal that each of these five (5)
responses will require a response time of 10 hours, for a total annual
burden of 50 hours (5 State agencies x 1 response x 10 hours per
response).
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\1\ The 16th Edition of the SNAP State Options Report summarizes
information related to State policy and administrative options and
was published in June 2024. More recent editions of the State
Options Report do not include information related to self-employment
options, so this is the most recent data available. For more
information, please visit <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/waivers/state-options-report">https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/waivers/state-options-report</a>.
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Annual SUA Updates
In addition to the final rule's five-year methodology update
requirement, program rules continue to require State agencies to review
their SUAs annually and make adjustments to reflect changes in costs,
such as by using sources like Consumer Price Index (CPI). This annual
update reflects changes in cost in the interim years between State
agencies' full methodology update. FNS asks State agencies to submit
both preliminary and final annual update amounts so that FNS can plan
for any significant changes in SUA amounts which may considerably
impact SNAP benefits.
Therefore, FNS estimates that all 53 State agencies will submit two
(2) responses at ten (10) hours each to update their SUAs annually. The
estimated total burden for this provision is 1,060 hours (53 State
agencies x 2 annual updates x 10 hours per response). This represents a
decrease of 265 hours from the previous renewal's estimate for this
activity. This decrease is due to the final rule separating the
baseline methodology update requirement from the annual update, which
States previously combined.
SUA Methodology Updates Every Five Years
In addition to annual updates, State agencies must update their SUA
baseline methodologies every five (5) years, in line with the final
rule requirements. FNS estimates that all 53 State agencies will submit
two (2) responses at 40 hours each. This includes burden to gather and
analyze data sources, calculate SUAs, and submit both preliminary and
final SUA methodology revisions to FNS. This estimate is based on FNS'
recent experience evaluating annual SUA updates and providing technical
assistance to State agencies, with additional time for State agencies
to ensure data sources and methodology meet the criteria in the final
rule. The estimated total burden for this provision is 4,240 hours (53
State agencies x 2 SUA methodology updates per State agency x 40 hours
per request = 4,240 hours). Since FNS estimates State agencies will
only incur this burden once every five (5) years, FNS annualized this
burden by dividing the five-year costs by five. The average annual
burden is 848 hours (4,240 hours over 5 years/5 = 848 hours annually).
This activity represents an increase of 848 annual burden hours
compared to the previous renewal.
Given the methodology criteria required under the final rule, FNS
anticipates that some State agencies will choose to solicit contractor
support to identify data sources and revise SUA methodologies. FNS
estimates that five (5) State agencies will solicit contractor support
to make required updates to SUA baseline methodology every five (5)
years. This estimate assumes that approximately one-fifth to one-
quarter of the State agencies FNS identified in the final rule as
likely to make substantial revisions to their SUA methodology will
solicit contractor support. FNS estimates that each State agency will
spend approximately 160 hours soliciting, awarding, and managing such
contracts. These estimates are based on FNS' experience with previous
Federal and State agency contracts for data analysis. The estimated
total burden for this provision is 800 hours (5 State agencies x 1
contract per State agency x 160 hours per request = 800 hours). Since
FNS estimates State agencies will only incur this burden every five (5)
years, FNS annualized this burden by dividing the five-year cost by
five. The average annual burden is 160 hours (800 hours/5 years = 160
hours annually). This activity represents an increase of 160 annual
burden hours compared to the previous renewal.
Recordkeeping Estimate
All 53 State agencies are required to keep and maintain one record
of the information gathered and submitted to FNS for the SUA and self-
employment options. FNS estimates a response time of 0.25 hours per
record, for an annual recordkeeping burden of 13.25 hours (53 State
agencies x 1 record x 0.25 hours per record = 1,325 hours annually).
Total Burden Estimate
For both reporting and recordkeeping, FNS projects a total annual
burden of 2,131.25 hours and 186.20 responses for this collection. This
revision reflects an increase of 743 burden hours compared to previous
collection due to the program changes associated with the final rule.
Reporting Burden
Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 53.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.51.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 133.20.
Estimated Time per Response: 15.90 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,118 hours.
Recordkeeping Burden
Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 53.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 53.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.25 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 13.25 hours.
See table below for estimated total annual burden for State
agencies:
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Description of Number of Frequency of Total annual Hours per Annual burden
CFR citation Type of respondent activity respondents response responses response (hours)
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Reporting Burden
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Annual...... 7 CFR 273.11(b)(3) State/Local/Tribal Review of Self- 5.00 1.00 5.00 10.00 50.00
Government. Employment
Methodology.
[[Page 31403]]
7 CFR State/Local/Tribal Update SUA for 53.00 2.00 106.00 10.00 1,060.00
273.9(d)(6)(iii)( Government. Annual Change in
B). Cost.
Every 5 7 CFR State/Local/Tribal Update SUA 53.00 2.00 106.00 40.00 4,240.00
Years. 273.9(d)(6)(iii)( Government. Baseline
C). Methodology.
7 CFR State/Local/Tribal Solicit and manage 5.00 1.00 5.00 160.00 800.00
273.9(d)(6)(iii)( Government. contract for
C). updating SUA
baseline
methodology.
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Total Reporting Burden (Includes \1/5\ of hours and costs incurred 53.00 2.51 133.20 15.90 2,118.00
every 5 years).
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Recordkeeping Burden
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Annual...... 7 CFR 273.11(b)(3) State/Local/Tribal Recordkeeping 53.00 1.00 53.00 0.25 13.25
and 7 CFR Government. Requirements.
273.9(d)(6)(iii)(
B).
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Total Recordkeeping Burden.......................................... 53.00 1.00 53.00 0.25 13.25
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Total Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden
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Total Annual Burden................................................. 53.00 3.51 186.20 11.45 2,131.25
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Patrick A. Penn,
Deputy Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.
[FR Doc. 2026-10468 Filed 5-26-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
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