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MS 5490 [1] Volume 2 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) MS 5490 - R. 10/1/25 – OMTL - 681 Heating And Cooling Costs - Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) A. The SUA is a standard amount used monthly for households with utility expenses that include the cost of heating or cooling their homes. Households that incur out-of-pocket heating or cooling costs must use the SUA; they cannot use actual utility expenses. The SUA amount for all households that incur a heating or cooling cost, regardless of household size, is $388. Eligible households include: 1. Residents of rental housing who are billed for primary heating or cooling costs monthly by their landlords for actual usage as determined through individual metering; 2. Recipients who own their home and live in that home, who are billed for its primary heating or cooling costs; 3. Households that include an elderly or disabled member who is receiving a payment greater than $20 annually, in the current month or in the immediately preceding 12 months, in energy assistance payments made under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), regardless of any change in the household’s address. This includes households with an elderly or disabled member who reside in public or private housing projects and are billed separately for excess costs or whose utilities are included in their rent or mortgage payments. Households with an elderly or disabled member who receives heating or cooling assistance from the Community Action Agencies are included in this provision. Access the HEAP Master Report to verify receipt of LIHEAP; 4. Recipients who expect to incur a primary heating or cooling expense during the certification period. Future heating or cooling expenses must reasonably be anticipated. For example, a household may apply during the summer and have no cooling expense, but will have a heating expense in the winter; 5. Recipients where two or more households live together and share utility expenses. See MS 5500; 6. Recipients of indirect energy assistance payments, other than LIHEAP, receiving a payment greater than $20 annually in the current month or in the immediately preceding 12 months, who have an elderly or disabled member in the home and continue to incur out-of-pocket heating or cooling expenses during any month covered by the certification period regardless of any change in the household’s address. Note: If the recipient states they have received payment(s) totaling greater than $20 annually and there is an elderly or disabled member in the home, request verification, such as the assistance receipt or a collateral contact to the assistance agency, before allowing the SUA deduction. The