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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 4

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 77 Chapter 4 Income

for the SUA must be evaluated at certification, redetermination, and when the AG reports a change in utilities that may affect its eligibility for a deduction. Items that are considered utilities include, but are not limited to: • Water, including well installation and maintenance • Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LP or LPG) or natural gas • Wood, wood pellets, coal, and heating oil • Electricity • Sewage, including septic tank system installation and maintenance • Garbage collection • Solar Unit • The basic rate for one telephone, either landline or cellular service, but not both. Basic rates include, but are not limited to, taxes, wire maintenance fees, subscriber line charges, relay center surcharges, and 911 fees. It does not include extra services such as, call-waiting, caller ID, etc. Items not considered utilities include, but are not limited to: • Cable/digital/satellite television service • Internet service • Utility deposits • Pre-paid cell phones

Solar Unit Example: The AG reports buying a solar unit. They pay $400 per month for the unit to supplement their PSD regulated electric bill. The AG is responsible for purchasing the unit, therefore is eligible for the SUA deduction. The AG is only eligible for the SUA the length of time they are obligated to pay for the unit. Shared Residence Example: A SNAP client shares a home with another individual. The utilities for the home are electric, gas, water, and telephone. The SNAP client pays the water, and the other individual pays the electric, gas, and telephone. The SNAP client is eligible for an SUA deduction based on the utilities of the residence, which are the electric, gas, water, and telephone. SHARED RESIDENCE EXCEPTION: When an AG shares a residence with another AG or non-AG and shares any utility expense, the AG is eligible to receive the appropriate SUA based on all the utilities of the residence.