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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 | Federal Register Documents Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk

This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection for determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk as stated in FNS regulations.

05/08/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents Information Collection: SNAP Reporting of Lottery and Gambling and Resource Verification

This is a revision of a currently approved collection and existing burden in use without a valid OMB control number in SNAP. This information collection captures the burden associated with the requirement that states make ineligible SNAP participants with substantial lottery or gambling winnings and establish cooperative agreements with gaming entities within their states to identify SNAP participants with substantial winnings. 

04/07/2022
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0025 WIC 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines

This memo is inform FNS regional offices and state agencies of the release of the 2021-22 WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines. The 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines are used by state agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in WIC. 

WIC Policy Memorandum: #2021-5
03/15/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0024 SFMNP 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines

This memo is inform FNS regional offices and state agencies of the release of the publication of the 2021-22 Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Income Eligibility Guidelines. The 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines are used by state agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in SFMNP. These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the SFMNP regulations

SFMNP Policy Memorandum #2021-1
03/15/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0077 Publication of the 2020-21 WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines

This policy memorandum transmits the 2020-21 Income Eligibility Guidelines for WIC that were published in the Federal Register on May 26, 2020

WIC Policy Memo #2020-4
05/26/2020
Resource | Proposed Rule Proposed Rule: Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the SNAP

USDA proposes updating the regulations to refine categorical eligibility requirements based on receipt of TANF benefits. Specifically, the Department proposes: (1) to define “benefits” for categorical eligibility to mean ongoing and substantial benefits; and (2) to limit the types of non-cash TANF benefits conferring categorical eligibility to those that focus on subsidized employment, work supports and childcare. The proposed rule would also require state agencies to inform FNS of all non-cash TANF benefits that confer categorical eligibility.

10/21/2019
Resource | Comment Request Revision of Categorical Eligibility in SNAP - Reopening of Comment Period

The Food and Nutrition Service proposed to make changes to SNAP regulations to refine categorical eligibility requirements based on receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits. 

10/18/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0059 SNAP - FY 2020 Cost of Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the FY 2020 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to the SNAP maximum allotments, income eligibility standards and deductions. COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2019.

07/24/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0001 CSFP Income Guidelines for 2019

This memorandum transmits the 2019 Income Guidelines for state agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations in determining the eligibility of individuals applying to participate in CSFP. 

02/04/2019
Page updated: October 14, 2021