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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTION 6000 6600 The Excess Shelter Deduction 6620.2 Utility Expenses of Expedited Households 6620.2 Utility Expenses of Expedited Households SNAP Manual 03/01/2026 There are special provisions which apply to the choice of Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) by households entitled to expedited services. If an expedited household chooses to use the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA), but the expenses are not verified within the expedited timeframes, the household may be certified using the Basic Utility Allowance (BUA). If the verification is later provided, the household’s budget may be recalculated using SUA for the following months. In the absence of any choice by the expedited household, it should be assumed that the household has chosen to use the Basic Utility Allowance (BUA). 6620.3 Specific Costs SNAP Manual 03/01/2026 Heating Households must incur and be billed for the cost of its primary source of heating, separate and apart from its rent or mortgage costs, in order to use the Standard Utility Allowance. Incurring a cost only for supplemental heating, such as, but not limited to, space heaters, electric blankets, heat lamps, or cook stoves, does not qualify a household for the utility standard. Incurring only a cost for an electric blower for an oil or gas furnace also does not qualify a household for the utility standard. The cost of wood is an allowable shelter cost. When wood is used as the primary heating source, the cost of purchasing wood does qualify the household for the utility standard. If a household purchases some wood and cuts the rest, that household will qualify for the utility standard. Costs associated with cutting wood such as hiring labor, the purchase of a chain saw, or the purchase of gas for running the saw are not allowable shelter costs nor do they entitle a household to elect the utility standard. Cooling A household that incurs the full cost of running a central air conditioning unit, a room air conditioner, or a water cooler (evaporative cooler) is entitled to elect the utility standard. Incurring only a cost for running a fan, including attic fans, does not qualify a household for the utility standard. The utility standard is based on cooling costs. Just owning an air conditioner does not qualify a household for the utility standard. The household must use the air conditioner. Use of an air conditioner on an as-needed basis will qualify a household for the utility standard. 6622 Basic Utility Allowance SNAP Manual 03/01/2026 The Basic Utility Allowance (BUA) includes utility charges that a household incurs other than for heating and cooling. Households which have no heating/cooling expenses and are not eligible for the SUA but incur two (2) non-heating/cooling expenses such as sewage, trash fees, water, garbage, telephone, etc., are eligible for