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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 04/2022

UTILITY DEDUCTIONS

0018.15.09

MFIP, MSA, GA, GRH: No provisions.

DWP: Allow actual verified utility expenses and the flat rate of $35 for telephone service, if applicable, in determining the amount of the grant. See 0022.12 (How to Calc. Benefit Level - MFIP/DWP/GA).

SNAP: The utility costs a unit is responsible for are part of the shelter deduction. All SNAP units that incur utility costs separate from any other shelter costs, such as rent, are allowed 1 or more of the mandatory standard utility allowances. For self-employed persons also claiming utility expenses as a business expense, continue to allow the applicable standard utility allowance.

Never prorate a Utility Allowance.

ALLOW THE SINGLE UTILITY STANDARD OF $488 ONLY FOR UNITS: ● That incur expenses for heating and/or cooling.

● That incur only an excess heating or cooling expense.

● That are a separate SNAP unit who shares heating/cooling expenses (no proration).

● That receive Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) of more than $20 any time in the past 12 months and anywhere in the United States, regardless of whether they incur expenses for heating and/or cooling.

● That split the costs with an ineligible person. In these cases, do not prorate the costs to the SNAP unit. Allow the full standard as a deduction.

The single utility standard includes heating, cooling, electricity, water, sewer, garbage, and phone.

FOR UNITS BILLED FOR NEITHER HEATING NOR COOLING: ● Allow the electric standard of $149 per month for units billed for electricity.

● Allow the phone standard of $56 per month for units billed for phone service. Do not allow actual phone expenses.

NOTE: The phone standard can be allowed for cell phone expenses when the unit is billed monthly or buys a pre-paid card with a certain dollar value or number of minutes, AND the cell phone is their only phone.

● If the unit incurs both electric and phone costs, both deductions may be used.

Do NOT allow a standard utility deduction when an ineligible student is responsible to pay and is the one paying the utility expense.

Third party utility payments are allowed as a deduction for SNAP when paid from the initial refugee funds or match grant. Utility expenses paid by initial refugee funds or match grant must be allowed as a deduction for SNAP. See 0029.39 (The Matching Grant Program), 0030.01(Local Resettlement Agencies). Do not allow a deduction when expenses are reimbursed or paid by other sources outside the unit, such as GRH or subsidized housing. If the amount reimbursed or paid by an outside source does not cover the full utility payment and the client is responsible to pay the excess amount, allow the full applicable standard. Allow the full applicable standard as a deduction for expenses reimbursed by the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or payments vendored from the client's funds.

A unit incurs a heating expense ONLY if it must pay for the actual fuel used for its primary source of heat. A unit incurs a cooling expense ONLY if it must pay electrical costs for operating an air conditioning system or room air conditioner and there is a