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.
This information collection addresses the state agency reporting burden associated with the following state agency options under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Establishing and reviewing standard utility allowances (SUAs) and establishing methodology for offsetting cost of producing self-employment income.
The proposed rule would revise SNAP regulations to standardize the methodology for calculating standard utility allowances.
FNS is issuing this policy memo to clarify state options and requirements relating to the determination of fleeing felon status under Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations at 7 CFR 273.11(n).
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations at 7 CFR 273.11(n) require state agencies to choose between two tests to establish fleeing felon status: the four-part test and the alternative test, often called the Martinez test. This policy memo clarifies changes in the Martinez test necessitated by the Walter Barry, et al. v. Nick Lyon decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
The attached questions and answers address the SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 final rule.
The purpose of this memorandum is to extend to the at-risk afterschool component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program the flexibility to take certain food items offsite.
This memorandum restates the FNS policy on the treatment of same-sex marriages with regard to Section 3(m)(2) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended.
This memorandum provides guidance on the household status of same-sex married couples in light of the United States Supreme Court's June 26, 2013, decision in United States v. Windsor (Windsor) for purposes of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility.
On March 19, 2012, FNS issued the memo titled Family Day Care Home Administrative Reimbursements: Options and Carryover Reporting Requirements, which described procedures for reporting fiscal year 2011 family day care home administrative payments and carryover. The present memo focuses on reporting family day care home carryover for FY 2012 and beyond.