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Resource | Policy Standard Utility Allowances

States annually update Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs) to reflect changes in utility costs. When determining a household’s eligibility, states consider a household’s total shelter costs, including the cost of utilities. Since actual utility costs are often hard to determine, states can use SUAs, which are standard amounts that represent low-income household utility costs in the state or local area. SUAs may be used in lieu of the household's actual costs when determining eligibility and benefit amount.

10/01/2023
Resource | Policy Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Information

We adjust SNAP maximum allotments, deductions, and income eligibility standards at the beginning of each federal fiscal year. 

10/01/2023
Resource | Policy Memos TEFAP – State Plan Requests and Allocations for FY 24 Farm to Food Bank Projects

The purpose of this memo is to allocate funding for Farm to Food Bank Projects in FY 2024.

09/07/2023
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP FY 2024 Cost-of-Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the FY 2024 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to the SNAP maximum allotments, income eligibility standards, and deductions. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2023.

08/03/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents SNAP: Non-Discretionary Quality Control Provisions of Title IV of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018

USDA is adopting the interim final rule on non-discretionary quality control provisions of Title IV of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, and its correction, as final.

04/18/2023
Resource | Policy Memos TEFAP State Plan Requests and Allocations for FY 2023 Farm to Food Bank Projects

The purpose of this memo is to allocate funding for Farm to Food Bank Projects in FY 2023. 

08/12/2022
Resource | Federal Register Documents Comment Request - SNAP-Ed National Program Evaluation and Reporting System

This is a new collection to consolidate and improve SNAP-Ed data collecting and reporting, as required in the 2018 Farm Bill.

06/10/2022
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0078 Administrative and Judicial Review

Any firm may request administrative and judicial review, if it is aggrieved by any of the actions described in SNAP regulations. The Administrative Review Branch ensures that FNS follows the provisions of the Food and Nutrition Act, SNAP regulations, and agency retailer policy, and that the agency's administrative actions are equitable and consistent.

Policy Memorandum 2021-01
07/30/2021
Resource | Interim Final Rule SNAP 2008 Farm Bill Provisions on Clarification of Split Issuance; Accrual of Benefits and Definition Changes

This interim final rule delays the implementation date of certain provisions of the final rule entitled, “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): 2008 Farm Bill Provisions on Clarification of Split Issuance; Accrual of Benefits and Definition Changes.”

07/29/2021
Resource | Waivers SNAP - Other Waivers

FNS will not allow states to adjust adverse action requirements. States would have been allowed to suspend termination of cases and/or reducing benefit levels when cases should have been terminated or benefits reduced.

05/05/2021
Page updated: October 14, 2021