Page 200

Page | 199 4. Sewage Costs are allowed if the household is billed or incurs sewage costs separately from the household’s rent or mortgage. 5. Garbage Costs are allowed if the household is billed or incurs garbage costs separately from the household’s rent or mortgage. 6. Telephone Costs are allowed if the household is billed for basic telephone service incurred separately from the household’s rent or mortgage. If the household is billed only for long distance services, no deduction is allowed. Costs for cell phones are allowed as a telephone expense.

Eligibility for the LUA should be the second step in the utility allowance determination. If the household is not eligible for the SUA or LUA, eligibility for the other two remaining utility allowances (OUA, PUA) should be researched.

10413 ONE UTILITY ALLOWANCE (OUA): $109

The one utility allowance (OUA) will be available to households that incur only one non- heating/cooling utility cost separate and apart from their rent or mortgage as long as the sole cost is not a telephone expense. Households whose only utility expense is a telephone must receive the PUA. Utility costs include:  Electricity that is not used for heat or cooling  Cooking fuel  Water  Sewage  Garbage

Eligibility for the OUA should be the third step in the utility allowance determination. If the household is not eligible for the SUA, LUA, or OUA, eligibility for the telephone utility allowance should be researched.

10414 PHONE UTILITY ALLOWANCE (PUA): $60

The telephone utility allowance (PUA) is allowed when the household’s only utility expense separate from their rent or mortgage is for basic telephone service.

10420 UTILITY REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENTS

If a household received a utility reimbursement payment (either directly or vendor), the utility payment is excluded as income. A utility allowance is only allowed if the household incurs or anticipates incurring utility expenses over and above their utility reimbursement payment. Example 1: Rent is $200, and the household is responsible for electricity, water, sewage, garbage, and telephone expenses. The household does not pay heating or cooling expenses. The household is entitled to the Limited Utility Allowance (LUA) because they incur at least two non-heating/cooling utility expenses separate and apart from their rent and the expense is verified.

Example 2: Household pays rent. The landlord also bills them $100 for water, sewage, and garbage. The household is allowed the limited utility allowance (LUA) if the landlord verified the expense. Example: The household’s only utility expense is a cell phone bill. The household is allowed the telephone utility standard (PUA) if the expense is verified.