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Title 7: SNAP Page 51 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter E: Income Deductions Revised September 27, 2024 Shelter Expenses Allow a deduction for the costs of repairing a home that was substantially damaged or destroyed due to a natural disaster, such as a fire or flood. Allow only the costs that will not be reimbursed. Do not allow a deduction for any of these costs that have been or will be reimbursed from any source. Shelter Costs for Two Residences Legal reference: 7 CFR 273.9(d)(6) When a person who is away due to employment or training chooses to be part of the household in the main home, allow shelter costs of both residences. When the person who is away chooses to be a separate household, allow that person a deduction for shelter costs for both residences when:  That person is paying the costs or is responsible but has not paid, and  The occupants of the main home do not claim those costs for SNAP purposes. EXCEPTIONS: Allow only one standard utility allowance to cover both residences. If a household moves in the middle of a month and has shelter expenses for two residences, allow the costs of both residences only for the month of the move. If a household claims utility expenses of two residences due to a move, allow the highest applicable utility standard for the expenses at either home.

Mr. R moves in the middle of the month and provides information for the shelter and utility expenses at both his old and new residences. He is responsible for $500 rent for the old residence and $275 half month’s rent at the new residence. Mr. R is responsible to pay his heat expense at the old residence and phone only at the new residence. For the month of the move, Mr. R receives $775 as a rent expense and the big standard utility allowance of the old residence. For the month after the move, Mr. R receives $550 full month’s rent for the new address and the phone standard. Unoccupied Shelter Costs Legal reference: 7 CFR 273.9(d)(6) Deduct the shelter costs of an unoccupied home if all of the following criteria are met:  The home is temporarily unoccupied by the household because of: • Work or training away from home, or • Illness, or • A disaster or casualty loss.