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FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION INCOME AND RESOURCES FNS 340 DEDUCTIONS Section 340 Change #02-2026 August 4, 2026 a. Do not consider the purchase of kindling wood as a heating expense. b. The cooling expense must be from central or room air conditioning, not from fans. NOTE: Fees charged by a utility company for initial installation of service are included in the SUA. E. The FNS unit is ineligible for SUA when it: 1. Lives in a public or private housing unit that has central utility meters, and the heating or cooling expenses are included in the rent; or 2. Has its heating and cooling expenses totally covered by a vendor payment (a payment made in money on behalf of a household/individual by an outside party); or 3. Is reimbursed for the total amount of the heating or cooling expense. F. Eligibility Requirements for the BUA The FNS unit is eligible for the BUA if the household: 1. Rents or is purchasing a home and pays at least two non-heating/non-cooling utility expenses directly to a utility provider. 2. Incurs at least two non-heating/non-cooling utility expenses including cooking fuel, electricity used for non-heating/non-cooling purposes, water and sewage charges, well and septic tank installation and maintenance, natural gas for water heaters, telephone, and garbage and trash charges. If the FNS unit incurs at least two of these expenses, the FNS unit is eligible for the BUA. Remember, if the FNS unit’s only utility expense is for a telephone, the FNS unit is not eligible for the BUA. Allow the FNS unit the TUA. 3. Rents a home with individual metering or billing for at least two non-heating/non- cooling expenses which are billed by the landlord. 4. Owns its home or rents a home and does not pay a mortgage or rent payment but incurs at least two non-heating/non-cooling utility expenses. 5. Incurs at least two non-heating/non-cooling expenses that are not totally covered by a vendor payment or reimbursement. 6. Lives in a public or private housing unit that has central utility meters and incurred an excess utility expense for at least two non-heating, non-cooling expenses in the last 12 months. NOTE: Fees charged by a utility company for initial installation of service are included in the BUA.