SUPPORTING STATEMENT - PART B for
OMB Control Number New
RIN 0584-AE79: Reform Provisions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s
Quality Control System
Tiffany Wilkinson
Program Analyst
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
7 CFR Part 275
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service
1320 Braddock Place
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Table of Contents
B.1 Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods, FNS 380 3
B.2 Procedures for the Collection of Information, FNS 380 3
B.3 Methods to Maximize the Response Rates and to Deal with Nonresponse, FNS 380 3
B.4 Test of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken, FNS 380 4
B.6 Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods, FNS 380-1 5
B.7 Procedures for the Collection of Information, FNS 380-1 5
B.8 Methods to Maximize the Response Rates and to Deal with Nonresponse, FNS 380-1 6
B.9 Test of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken, FNS 380-1 6
Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.
The QC system and its reporting requirements are applicable to all of the 53 State agencies administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Each State agency is required to select a sample of households from its active case universe, the universe of households certified and issued benefits. State sample selection choices result in an estimated yearly national sample of 59,146 cases. Historically, the number of completed case reviews have ranged between 90 and 95 percent, however 100 percent of all cases are looked at.
Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:
Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,
Estimation procedure,
Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,
Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and
Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.
The
active case sample procedure is generally in the form of systematic
random sampling. Stratification is an option available to State
agencies subject to FNS approval. State agencies opting to use
stratification divide their sample universe according to household
case characteristics, such as household size, geographic area, or
program area (i.e., public assistance or general assistance), prior
to random selection.
Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.
The
QC system attempts to control the potential bias of non-response with
a completion standard of 98 percent for both the active and negative
case samples. This percentage is the ratio of the number of
completed reviews to the number of cases selected subject to review
or to the minimum number of cases computed from the sample size
equations, whichever is larger. If a State agency does not
complete the required number of reviews, its error rates are adjusted
by assigning two standard deviations of the estimated error rates
added to the regressed error rates to those cases not completed in
order to calculate the State agency's official error rates. Two
standard deviations correspond to approximately a 95 percent
confidence interval. The use of standard deviations of the mean is a
common device for measuring the dispersion in a simple distribution
and represents a natural breakpoint.
Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.
No testing of information-collection procedures is planned.
Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.
Zhigang Ma, (703) 605-3231 and Shawnee Anderson, (703) 605-1534, Statisticians, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Program Accountability Division, Quality Control Branch, are responsible for analyzing the national QC data.
Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.
The
QC system and its reporting requirements are applicable to all of the
53 State agencies administering the Food Stamp Program. Each State
agency is required to select a sample of households from its active
case universe, the universe of households certified and issued
benefits. State sample selection choices result in an estimated
yearly national sample of 59,146 cases. Historically, response rates
in the form of completed case reviews have ranged between 90 and 95
percent.
Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:
Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,
Estimation procedure,
Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,
Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and
Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.
The
active case sample procedure is generally in the form of systematic
random sampling. Stratification is an option available to State
agencies subject to FNS approval. State agencies opting to use
stratification divide their sample universe according to household
case characteristics, such as household size, geographic area, or
program area (i.e., public assistance or general assistance), prior
to random selection.
Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.
The
QC system attempts to control the potential bias of non-response with
a completion standard of 100 percent for both the active and negative
case samples. This percentage is the ratio of the number of
completed reviews to the number of cases selected subject to review
or to the minimum number of cases computed from the sample size
equations, whichever is larger. If a State agency does not complete
the required number of reviews, its error rates are adjusted by
assigning two standard deviations of the estimated error rates added
to the regressed error rates to those cases not completed in order to
calculate the State agency's official error rates. Two standard
deviations correspond to approximately a 95 percent confidence
interval. The use of standard deviations of the mean is a common
device for measuring the dispersion in a simple distribution and
represents a natural breakpoint.
Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.
No
testing of information-collection procedures is planned.
Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.
Zhigang Ma, (703) 605-3231 and Shawnee Anderson, (703) 605-1534, Statisticians, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Program Accountability Division, Quality Control Branch, are responsible for analyzing the national QC data.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | Supporting Statement for OMB No |
| Author | USDA |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2024-07-20 |