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Division/Section Economic Stability Chapter No./Name 4 – Economic Independence (EI) Part No./Name B – Eligibility Factors Section No./Name B-600-FITAP-SNAP Income Document No./Name B-650-SNAP Deductions Effective Date June 1, 2026

7 of 22 B-654-4-SNAP - PO Determination of Appropriate Utility Standard

The following chart should be used as a guide when determining the appropriate utility standard to use.

Circumstances Utility Standard A SNAP household owns or is buying or renting their home and is billed for utilities which include heating or cooling costs. SUA A SNAP household owns or is buying or renting their home and is billed for utilities which do not include heating or cooling costs. BUA A SNAP household rents their residence, all utilities except the telephone are included in the rent. The household has a telephone. Telephone A SNAP household lives in public housing and pays excess utilities, which include heating or cooling costs. SUA A SNAP household lives in public housing and pays excess utilities, which do not include heating or cooling costs. BUA A SNAP household lives in public housing and does not pay excess utilities but does pay telephone costs. Telephone A SNAP household lives with another household and pays rent only. None A SNAP household lives with another household and pays rent and helps with the utility costs, which include heating or cooling costs. SUA A SNAP household lives with another household and pays rent and helps with the utility costs, which do not include heating or cooling costs. BUA A SNAP household lives with another household, pays rent, and helps only with the telephone bill. Telephone A SNAP household contains an elderly or disabled member and receives energy assistance greater than $20 annually through the LIHEAP. SUA A SNAP household receives energy assistance through HUD or FmHA but incurs heating and cooling expenses that exceed the amount of the HUD or FmHA payment. SUA A SNAP household receives energy assistance through HUD or FmHA that covers all heating and cooling expenses but the household’s other utility expenses exceed the HUD or FmHA payment. BUA

B-654-5-SNAP - PO Shelter Expenses for an Unoccupied Home

Shelter expenses are allowed for a home unoccupied because of employment or training away from home, illness, or abandonment caused by a natural disaster or casualty loss if:

• the household intends to return to the home,

• the current occupants of the home, if any, are not claiming shelter costs for SNAP purposes, and

• the home is not leased or rented during the absence of the household.