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MS 5500

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Volume 2 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) MS 5500 - R. 10/1/25 – OMTL - 681 Treatment of Utility Expenses

A. Households who are eligible to use the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) or Basic Utility Allowance (BUA) must use the appropriate standard. Only households that are not entitled to use the SUA or BUA are allowed to use their actual utility expense.

In the following instances, the household may be required to switch between standards or use their actual utility expenses.

1. The household moves from a residence, which qualifies it for use of the SUA, into a residence, which qualifies it for the BUA;

2. The household moves from a residence, which qualifies it for use of the BUA, into a residence, which qualifies it for use of the SUA;

3. The household moves from a residence, which qualifies it for the SUA or BUA, to a residence, which qualifies it for the actual utility expense; or

Example: When a household moves from a residence where they were eligible for the SUA or BUA to a residence where they are billed for garbage only.

4. The household includes an elderly or disabled member and is approved for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which qualifies it for use of the SUA, if the SUA is not currently being used in the SNAP case.

B. If a household is eligible to use the SUA, apply the policy as follows:

1. Question SNAP households that include an elderly or disabled member regarding receipt or approval of LIHEAP benefits resulting in a payment greater than $20 in the prior 12 months at application, reapplication, recertification, and change of physical address.

2. If the household indicates they are in receipt of LIHEAP benefits or have been approved for LIHEAP at their current address, verify by using the HEAP MASTER list, explain SUA policy, and give the recipient the SUA.

3. The deduction is allowed through their certification period beginning the first month following the month of LIHEAP approval.

4. Review entitlement to the SUA at every recertification/reapplication.

If a household has both an occupied and an unoccupied home, only one SUA can be used.

C. The HEAP Master list provides a statewide listing of all individuals who were approved for LIHEAP during the prior 12 months.

The report contains the applicant's last name, first name, Social Security Number (SSN), county of residence, and month/year of the approval.