Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Proposed Projects

Title: Multistate Financial Institution Data Match and Federally Assisted State Transmitted Levy (MSFIDM/FAST Levy).

OMB No.: 0970-0196.

Description: Section 466(a)(17) of the Social Security Act (the Act) requires states to establish procedures for their child support agencies to enter into agreements with financial institutions doing business in their state for the purpose of securing information leading to the enforcement of child support orders. Under 452(m) and 466(a)(17)(A)(i) of the Act, the Secretary may aid state agencies conducting data matches with financial institutions doing business in two or more states by establishing a centralized and standardized matching program through the Federal Parent Locator Service.

To further assist states collect child support, the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) worked with child support agencies and financial institutions to develop the Federally Assisted State Transmitted (FAST) Levy system.

FAST Levy is a central, standardized, and secure electronic process for child support agencies and financial institutions to exchange information about levying financial accounts to collect past-due support. OCSE picks up files created by child support agencies that contain FAST Levy requests and distributes them to financial institutions that use the FAST Levy system. Those financial institutions create response files that OCSE picks up and distributes to the child support agencies.

The MSFIDM/FAST-Levy information collection activities are authorized by: 42 U.S.C. 652(m), which authorizes OCSE, through the Federal Parent Locator Service, to aid state child support agencies and financial institutions doing business in two or more states reach agreements regarding the receipt from financial institutions, and the transfer to the state child support agencies, of information pertaining to the location of accounts held by obligors who owe past-due support; 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(2) and (c)(1)(G)(ii), which require state child support agencies in cases in which there is an arrearage to establish procedures to secure assets to satisfy any current support obligation and the arrearage by attaching and seizing assets of the obligor held in financial institutions; 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(17)(A), which requires state child support agencies to establish procedures under which the state child support agencies shall enter into agreements with financial institutions doing business in the State to develop and operate, in coordination with financial institutions, and the Federal Parent Locator Service (in the case of financial institutions doing business in two or more States), a data match system, using automated data exchanges to the maximum extent feasible, in which a financial institution is required to quarterly provide information pertaining to a noncustodial parent owing past-due support who maintains an account at the institution and, in response to a notice of lien or levy, encumber or surrender, assets held; 42 U.S.C. 652(a)(7), which requires OCSE to provide technical assistance to state child support enforcement agencies to help them establish effective systems for collecting child and spousal support; and, 45 CFR 303.7(a)(5), which requires state child support agencies to transmit requests for information and provide requested information electronically to the greatest extent possible. To facilitate this requirement for states, OCSE developed the FAST Levy system that supports the electronic exchange of lien and levy information between child support agencies and financial institutions.

Respondents: Multistate Financial Institutions and State Child Support Agencies.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,275.

Additional Information: Copies of the proposed collection may be obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, 330 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20201, Attention Reports Clearance Officer. All requests should be identified by the information collection. Email address: infocollection@acf.hhs.gov

OMB Comment: OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of information between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. Therefore, a comment is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent directly to the following: Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project, Email: OIRA_SUBMISSION@OMB.EOP.GOV, Attn: Desk Officer for the Administration for Children and Families.