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MS 5500 [2]

D. If a household is only responsible for a telephone expense, allow the household the telephone standard of $64 regardless of the actual cost (this includes prepaid cell phones).

E. If two or more households live in the same residence and share utility expenses, do the following regardless of whether each household participates in SNAP:

1. Each household is eligible for and must use the SUA, if either of the households is billed for heating/cooling costs. If neither household is billed for heating/cooling costs but billed for two allowable non-heating/non- cooling costs, the household is eligible for and must use the BUA.

2. Additional applicant households living in the same residence must use the type of expense used by the first household, as long as they contribute to the utility expenses.

3. If the household is entitled to use actual expenses, allow the household the actual amount of the utility expense for which it was responsible, if verified.

F. If two or more households live in the same residence and separate the cost of utilities, then determine the utility deduction according to the bills each household pays.

Example: Two roommates maintain a separate household. Roommate A states he pays the phone and water bill, and roommate B pays the utility bill, which includes heating and cooling. Roommate A would receive the BUA, and roommate B would receive the SUA.

G. Households that live in separate residences but share the same utility meter device may both be allowed the SUA. The SUA is not prorated, and each household is allowed the full SUA for its respective household size.

H. If a household includes an elderly or disabled member and states no out-of- pocket heating/cooling costs, inquire the HEAP Master list to determine if the household may be allowed SUA.