Page 161

S N A P M A N U A L

161 NOTE: An ineligible noncitizen or SSN disqualified person who is elderly or disabled does not entitle the household to an unlimited shelter deduction. (2) Billed expenses Except as provided in Section 12.4 (3) below, a shelter deduction will be allowed only in the month the expense is billed or otherwise becomes due, regardless of when the household intends to pay the expense. Amounts carried forward from past billing periods are not deductible, even if included with the most recent billing and actually paid by the household. When the household occupies a residence that has a monthly rent structure, the monthly amount of rent should be taken into consideration each month when the shelter deduction is determined without regard to when it is actually paid. (3) Averaging shelter expenses Households may elect to have an expense that is billed less often than monthly averaged over the interval between scheduled billings, or if there is no scheduled interval, over the period it is intended to cover. A prorated share of the expense would be allowed in each month over which the payment was averaged, even if all of the months are not within the same certification period. (4) Allowed shelter costs Only the following expenses are allowable shelter costs: (A) Continuing charges for the shelter occupied by the household, including rent, mortgage (first & second mortgage), condo and association fees, or other continuing charges leading to the ownership of the shelter such as loan repayments for the purchase of a mobile home, including interest on such payments. NOTE: A deduction for a reverse mortgage will only be allowed if the household is billed for the expense. NOTE: A home equity loan is considered a second mortgage. (B) Property taxes, State and local assessments. (C) Insurance premiums on the structure itself, but not separate costs for insuring furniture or personal belongings. (D) The cost of fuel for heating; cooling (i.e., the operation of air conditioning systems or room air conditioners); electricity or fuel used for purposes other than heating or cooling; water; sewerage; well installation and maintenance; septic tank system installation and maintenance; garbage and trash collection; service fees for one telephone. NOTE: One-time deposits cannot be included.