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COMBINED MANUAL
ISSUE DATE 10/2020
SHELTER DEDUCTIONS
0018.15
Units with an elderly (60-years-old or older) or disabled member are allowed either the maximum shelter deduction, or the full cost of shelter when the costs exceed 50% of net income. For the purposes of being eligible for the uncapped shelter deduction, disabled means the following:
● Receiving SSI benefits.
● Receiving RSDI disability benefits.
● Certified disabled by the VA.
● Receiving Railroad Retirement benefits.
● Receiving other government issued disability retirement benefits.
● Having a certified disability by SMRT.
See 0012.15 (Incapacity and Disability Determinations).
For units without disabled or elderly members, deduct verified housing costs and the appropriate utility standard that exceeds 50% of the unit's income after deductions. The maximum monthly shelter deduction is $586.
Allow verified housing costs in the month billed, or if not billed, when they 1st become payable.
Units on a monthly rent structure, who pay their housing costs in advance, are allowed a shelter deduction for the period the payment is intended to cover.
If the unit moves residences during their certification period, request verification of their housing costs at their new residence and allow the unit 10 days to return verification. If the unit does not return verification, remove any previous housing costs allowed as a deduction from the budget, allowing for proper 10-day notice. If the unit later provides verification, allow the housing cost as a deduction the month following the month the unit provided verification.
Note: Change Reporters are required to report a change in housing costs during the certification period when the change is a result of moving residences. If a change reporter does not report a change in their housing costs timely, assess for overpayments. See 0007.03.02 (Six-Month Reporting) for a list of who is a change reporter, (0007.15.03 (Unscheduled Reporting of Changes – SNAP), 0025.03 (Determining Incorrect Payment Amounts).
For changes in housing costs that are reported during the unit's certification period that are not a result of the unit moving residences, see 0010.18.02.03 (Non-Mandatory Verifications – SNAP).