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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 150 12.7.2 Homeless Shelter Deduction ESA allows a standard deduction amount for households that pay monthly shelter and/or utility expenses and in which all members are experiencing homelessness. The deduction is subtracted from the household’s net income. The standard homeless shelter deduction changes each October. See Table 25.3.d, SNAP Maximum Shelter Deduction and Homeless Shelter Deduction, for current values. To be eligible for the homeless shelter deduction, the household must meet all of the following criteria:  Be composed of members who lack a fixed and regular nighttime residence  Not receive free shelter throughout the month  Pay for shelter expenses and/or utilities Households eligible for the homeless shelter deduction may elect to claim actual shelter expenses instead of the standard homeless shelter deduction. These households’ shelter deductions will be determined in accordance with Section 12.7.1, Excess Shelter Deduction. Households that receive the homeless shelter deduction cannot also receive the excess shelter deduction or a utility allowance. ESA will work with households experiencing homelessness to determine whether they would benefit from the homeless shelter deduction or the excess shelter deduction. Shelter expenses may be verified. See Section 5.3.4.2, Homeless Shelter Deduction. 12.7.3 Utility Allowance When determining a household’s excess shelter deduction (see Section 12.7.1, Excess Shelter Deduction), ESA uses an SUA instead of actual utility costs paid by the household. These standard amounts may be more or less than a household’s actual out-of-pocket expenses for utilities in a given month. ESA only applies HCSUA (see Section 12.7.3.1, Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowance) to households that qualify for an SUA. The SUA amounts are adjusted each October to account for changes in the District’s utility costs. See Table 25.3.e, Standard Utility Allowance, for current values. Households that receive the homeless shelter deduction are not eligible to receive an SUA. ESA will work with households experiencing homelessness to determine whether they would benefit from the homeless shelter deduction or the SUA. 12.7.3.1 Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowance HCSUA includes the costs for heating and cooking fuel, cooling and electricity, water and sewage, garbage/trash collection and telephone. Cooling costs do not include the cost of using fans. Return