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MS 5480

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Volume 2 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) MS 5480 - R. 8/1/19 – OMTL - 548 Disallowable Shelter Costs

Do not allow the following as a shelter cost:

A. Charges for one-time deposits, including security deposits on utilities;

B. Charges for upkeep and repairing natural deterioration or wear;

C. Charges for insuring furniture and personal belongings;

D. Volunteer Fire Department dues, unless a mandatory expense. This expense can be mandatory or optional, depending on the county; a call should be made to verify each situation;

E. Charges for optional home buyers protection plans or extended home warranties;

F. Charges for repair of the home damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster which has or will be reimbursed by a private or public relief agency, insurance company, or from any other source;

G. Charges for recoupment. If a household understates its income to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and as a result has paid less than the appropriate rent, do not include the recoupment as part of the household's shelter costs;

H. A utility or shelter expense which is reimbursed or paid by vendor payment;

I. Charges for keeping a pet in the residence; and

J. Payments made by the household to make up for delinquent shelter payments if the deduction for the payment was previously allowed.

Example: The household failed to pay the mortgage to the bank from July through November. The bank allows the household to pay an additional $100 per month to make up the delinquent payments effective January. The household was given a shelter deduction July through November, so the $100 is not an allowable deduction.