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Division/Section Family Support 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 September 1, 2026

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Do not allow the telephone standard when the standard utility allowance or the basic utility allowance is used, or when the cost of the telephone service is included in the cost of the rent.

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,