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S N A P M A N U A L

163 1 2 . 5 U T I L I T Y A L L O W A N C E S (1) Utility allowances/General At initial certification, a household will be assigned one of the following utility allowances based on the household’s utility cost: (A) Actual verified utility cost, if not entitled to the MUA or BUA (B) Mandatory utility allowance (MUA) if entitled (C) Basic utility allowance (BUA) if entitled, or (D) No utility deduction. A household’s utility allowance may be changed at recertification or when the household moves. A utility allowance may be changed for a household with a 24-month certification period at the 12- month interim contact. Utility costs include the costs for: • Cooling • Heating fuel • Cooking fuel • Water/sewerage • Electricity • Garbage/trash collection • State standard for telephone use. Households participating in the Lifeline program are eligible for the state telephone standard. • Fees charged for installation of utilities. NOTE: If actual utility costs or the BUA is assigned as the household’s utility deduction and verification is not submitted, the deduction cannot be allowed. (2) Mandatory Utility Allowance (MUA) To be entitled to the MUA, the following criteria must be met: (A) During the year, separately from their rent or mortgage, the households must incur and be billed for, or expect to incur during the next heating or cooling season: • Heating cost • Cooling cost (air conditioning) or (B) The household must have received a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payment greater than $20 within the past 12 months, regardless of whether or