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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 Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0087 SNAP FY 2022 Cost-of-Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the federal FY 2022 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to the SNAP maximum allotments for the 48 contiguous states and D.C., Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2021.

08/16/2021
Resource | Proposed Rule Proposed Rule: SNAP Standardization of State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances

The proposed rule would revise SNAP regulations to standardize the methodology for calculating standard utility allowances. 

10/03/2019
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-2019-0049 Q&As on SNAP E&T Provisions of the Farm Bill

The attached questions and answers are in response to changes made by Section 4005 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, enacted on Dec.20, 2018, to the SNAP Employment and Training program and certain Able-bodied Adults without Dependents work policies.

05/17/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0055 SUA Annual Review and Adjustment - Option to Postpone Annual Adjustment

This memorandum provides a policy option to states to help soften the impact that reduced SUAs might have on SNAP households in certain state.

09/21/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2008-0058 Clarification of Farm Bill Certification Provisions of SNAP - Questions and Answers #3

Attached are additional questions and answers in response to issues raised by state agencies on SNAP certification and eligibility provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.

11/20/2008
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2008-0048 Q&As on Certification Issues from the 2008 Farm Bill #2

Questions and answers on the certification issues in the 2008 Farm Bill. 

08/29/2008
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2008-0042 Questions and Answers on the Farm Bill

Attached are questions and answers on issues related to the Employment and Training provisions of the Farm Bill.

08/01/2008
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2008-0031 Food Stamp Provisions of the Farm Bill

On June 18, 2008, Congress enacted PL 110-246. Attached is an implementing memo describing the Food Stamp provision of The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.

07/03/2008
Page updated: October 14, 2021