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Title 7: SNAP Page 55 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter E: Income Deductions Revised February 13, 2026 Standard Utility Allowances Standard Utility Allowances Legal reference: 7 CFR 273.9(d)(6) Households who are responsible for utility expenses are eligible for a standard utility allowance. EXCEPTION: Households choosing the homeless standard deduction are not entitled to a utility allowance. There are three standard utility allowances:  The “big” standard utility allowance (with heating or air conditioning).  The “little” standard utility allowance (no heating or air conditioning).  The telephone standard utility allowance. Any one household can have only one standard utility allowance. Households may have their utility bills placed under non-household members’ names for a variety of reasons. Allow these bills as an expense to the SNAP household as long as the household verifies that it is responsible for the bills. The following sections explain:  Big standard utility allowance  Little standard utility allowance  Telephone standard utility allowance For handling utility expenses of ineligible members, see 7-I, Deductions. Big Standard Utility Allowance Legal reference: 7 CFR 273.9(d)(6) The big standard utility allowance is $554 per month, per household. A household can get the big standard utility allowance when the household:  Is responsible for paying any portion of the heat or air-conditioning costs either directly to the utility provider, to a landlord, or to someone with whom the household shares these expenses (including excess or flat fees for these costs); or  Receives energy assistance payments through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), such as the Affordable Heating Program, or  Incurs costs during the certification period above those reimbursed by energy assistance programs other than LIHEAP. Use this allowance for the entire year if the household is entitled to it.