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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 7 of 20 iv. a HH lives in a public housing unit or other rental housing unit. The HH is charged only for excess utility costs, regardless of whether the unit is individually or centrally metered. v. if a change is reported in shelter (increase or decrease) and the shelter amount is not verified, any expense would in the case and the case will be processed without the shelter deduction. vi. Refer to Standard Utility Allowance for examples. e. Eligibility for the SUA for HHs Receiving Energy Assistance or Other Vendor Payments for Utilities. To determine how to count energy assistance payments, refer to Administrative Policies and Procedures: 24.12 SNAP Resources i. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act (LIHEAP) ii. LIHEAP payments made directly to the HH or provider do not affect the HH’s eligibility for the SUA. HHs are entitled to the SUA even if the expense is totally covered by a LIHEAP payment. iii. United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) Utility Reimbursements iv. HHs receiving HUD and FmHA reimbursements are entitled to the SUA if they incur heating or cooling costs payment. v. State and Local Energy Assistance and Other Vendor Payments 1) Energy assistance payments made directly to the HH do not affect the HH’s eligibility for the SUA if the HH is otherwise entitled to it. 2) Energy assistance payments (other than LIHEAP payments) are considered as vendor payments when they are made directly to the utility company (including checks made jointly to the HH and the utility company). 3) To determine a HH’s eligibility for the SUA when vendor payments are made to the utility company, follow the procedures outlined in Standard Utility Allowance. 11. Basic Utility Allowance a. The BUA is an option for a SNAP HH that incurs a utility expense including electricity and fuel for purposes other than heating or cooling, water, sewer, well and septic tank installation and maintenance, telephone, and garbage or trash collection. b. The BUA must include expenses for at least two utilities. NOTE: If the HH lives in a public housing unit or other rental housing unit the HH is charged only for excess utility costs, regardless of whether the unit is individually or centrally metered. The HH is eligible for the BUA. Refer to the Utility Allowance Chart for different situations on when to use the SUA, BUA, or actual utility deductions.