Page 36

35

cooling expense for the SUA 1. The AG must verify the obligation for the relevant utility types if SUA 2, Single Utility Standard, or the telephone standard is allowed. Specific amounts of the obligation are not required. Verification at recertification is not required if there has been no change in residence or obligation for expenses since previously verified. The SUA options are the same used for Food Stamps. See IHCPPM 3020.00.00 for standard amounts.

Four Standard Utility Allowances (SUA) are available as described below. 1. The heating/cooling SUA 1 requires that the AG has a recurring primary heating or cooling expense or that the AG receives an Energy Assistance Payment (EAP) through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). It is not necessary that the AG have both a heating and a cooling expense. If the AG has only a heating or only a cooling expense obligation and the need for that expense has ended solely because the seasonal need for that expense is ended the AG continues to be entitled to the heating/cooling SUA. Also, an AG that has a room air conditioner is entitled to the Heating/Cooling SUA. a. Persons in private rental housing who are billed by their landlords based on individual usage or who are charged a flat rate separately from their rent are eligible for the heating or cooling standard (SUA 1). b. Persons in public housing units which have central utility meters, and which charge households only for excess heating or cooling costs are entitled to the heating/cooling standard (SUA 1). 2. The non-heating/cooling SUA 2 includes electricity and fuel for purposes other than heating or cooling, water, sewerage, well and septic tank installation and maintenance, telephone and garbage or trash collection. To qualify for the SUA 2 the AG must be billed for at least two of the expenses included in the SUA 2. 3. A third option, the Single SUA may be used if the AG has a utility expense other than heating/cooling or telephone. For example, AGs that pay for trash removal only would receive the Single SUA. 4. The fourth SUA option is the Telephone Standard. It is allowed for AGs that incur only a telephone expense but do not have a heating or cooling expense. The spousal income standard and the excess shelter allowance are added, thus arriving at the spousal maintenance standard. The spousal maintenance standard cannot exceed the maximum. If the community spouse's countable income is equal to or greater than the maintenance standard, there will be no allocation from the income of the applicant/recipient.