Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 91.djvu/1002

 91 STAT. 968

Monthly operations report.

Oath, certification by issuer.

Delivery and controls, procedures. Financial losses.

PUBLIC LAW 95-113—SEPT. 29, 1977 are not in excess of the reasonable needs of such issuers taking into consideration the ease with which such coupon inventories may be resupplied. The Secretary shall require each coupon issuer at intervals prescribed by the Secretary, but not less often than monthly, to send to the Secretary or the Secretary's designee, which may include the State agency, a written report of the issuer's operations during such period. In addition to other information deemed by the Secretary to be appropriate, the Secretary shall require that the report contain an oath, or affirmation, signed by the coupon issuer, or in the case of a corporation or other entity not a natural person, by an appropriate official of the coupon issuer, certifying that the information contained in the report is true and correct to the best of such person's knowledge and belief. "(e) The Secretary shall prescribe appropriate procedures for the delivery of coupons to coupon issuers and for the subsequent controls to be placed over such coupons by coupon issuers in order to ensure adequate accountability. "(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the State agency shall be responsible to the Secretary for any financial losses involved in the acceptance, storage, and issuance of coupons. VALUE o r ALLOTMENT

7 USC 2017.

Report to Congress.

"SEC. 8 (a) The value of the allotment which State agencies shall be authorized to issue to any households certified as eligible to participate in the food stamp program shall be equal to the cost to such households of the thrifty food plan reduced by an amount equal to 30 per centum of the household's income, as determined in accordance with section 5 of this Act, rounded to the nearest whole dollar: Provided, That for households of one and two persons the minimum allotment shall be $10 per month. The Secretary shall, six months after the implementation of the elimination of the charge for allotments and annually thereafter, report to Congress the effect on participation and cost of this elimination. "(b) The value of the allotment provided any eligible household shall not be considered income or resources for any purpose under any Federal, State, or local laws, including, but not limited to, laws relating to taxation, welfare, and public assistance programs, and no participating State or political subdivision thereof shall decrease any assistance otherwise provided an individual or individuals because of the receipt of an allotment under this Act. "APPROVAL OF RETAIL FOOD STORES AND WHOLESALE FOOD CONCERNS

Applications, submission.

7 USC 2018. Qualifications.

Certificate.

"SEC. 9. (a) Regulations issued pursuant to this Act shall provide for the submission of applications for approval by retail food stores and wholesale food concerns which desire to be authorized to accept and redeem coupons under the food stamp program and for the approval of those applicants whose participation will effectuate the purposes of the food stamp program. In determining the qualifications of applicants, there shall be considered among such other factors as may be appropriate, the following: (1) the nature and extent of the food business conducted by the applicant; (2) the volume of coupon business which may reasonably be expected to be conducted by the applicant food store or wholesale food concern; and (3) the business integrity and reputation of the applicant. Approval of an applicant shall be evidenced by the issuance to such applicant of a nontransferable certificate of approval.

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