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Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Effective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 20 that exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the HH’s monthly income after all other applicable deductions. 3. The maximum shelter deduction is subject to change annually. Shelter costs include only the following: a. Continuing charges for the shelter occupied by the HH, including rent, mortgage, condominium fees, homeowners’ association dues or other continuing charges leading to the ownership of shelter, such as loan repayments for the purchase of a mobile home, including interests on such payments. b. If a recipient takes a second mortgage or loan, in which the loan is secured by a lien on the homestead property by the lender, payments on these secured loans meet the criteria of continuing charges for the shelter and are considered shelter costs. This is true regardless of what the loan is actually for. Payments made on unsecured or personal loans are not considered shelter costs. c. Property taxes, state and local assessments, and insurance on the structure itself, but not separate costs for insuring furniture or personal belongings. d. Charges for heating, cooling, and cooking fuel; electricity; water and sewer; garbage and trash collection fees; the standard telephone allowance; and fees charged by the utility provider for initial installation of utility cost. e. Costs incurred for repairing a home substantially damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster (such as a fire or flood). f. Shelter costs can still be incurred for the home if not actually occupied by the HH in certain scenarios. Refer to Shelter Costs Incurred for an Unoccupied Home when the shelter costs can still be claimed depending on the HH circumstance. g. Shelter deductions are allowed as incurred regardless of ability to pay. Although the HH has no money to subtract the deduction from, if they have verified that they have the expense then the expense can be keyed. 4. Payments NOT Included in Shelter Costs Are: a. fees charged for one-time deposits on utilities; b. separate costs for insuring furniture or personal belongings; c. repairs or replacement of any appliance, well, septic tank, or any portion of the home due to wear and tear or mechanical problems; d. any costs related to housing not actually occupied by the household, except as specified in above; e. down payments, closing costs, discount points, and other costs incidental to purchase and the closing of a mortgage; f. costs of drilling a well or installing a septic tank; g. site preparation to locate a mobile home;