Reminder Telephone Script

OMB Number: 0584-NEW

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxxx

Appendix C: Focus Group Reminder Letter

{In 16 pt font for elderly groups]

DATE

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Dear TITLE LNAME:

Thank you for agreeing to attend the discussion group about food stamps or [local SNAP name] in [SITE]. Our discussion will be at 12:00 p.m. on DAY, DATE. It will be held at the PLACE.

As we discussed on the phone, the purpose of this study is to learn about people’s experience applying for food stamp benefits. About 10 other people will participate in this discussion group. We will ask for your opinions about what is easy and what is difficult about applying for [local SNAP name]. We will use the information collected in this discussion group to help improve the program. Your participation is optional and will not affect your benefits, and anything you say in the group will be confidential, except as required by law.

We will pay you $40 at the end of the session as a token of our appreciation and to offset the cost of your transportation [working poor only: and any childcare you may need]. Please make sure to bring any glasses, other corrective lenses, or hearing aids you may need to read or hear, and plan to arrive about 15 minutes early to meet the other participants and have [elderly: refreshments; working poor: dinner].

If you are no longer able to join us, please call PERSON toll free at 1-866-275-8659 so that we may find a replacement. Remember, Mathematica (the organization conducting the discussion on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service) is not part of the [local SNAP office name] or any local organization that you may have spoken with about [local SNAP name].

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

PERSON

Public reporting burden for this reminder letter is estimated to average 3 minutes per response. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, Office of Research and Analysis, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302 ATTN: PRA (0584-xxxx*).

If you have concerns about this study, please contact Jenny Genser at the U.S.D.A. Food and Nutrition Service: (703) 305-2559