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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 | Proposed Rule Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposes to prescribe how it determines whether a noncitizen is inadmissible to the United States under section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act because they are likely at any time to become a public charge. 

02/24/2022
Resource | Notices Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the SNAP - Withdrawal

This document informs the public that the FNS is withdrawing the proposed rule titled Revision of Categorical Eligibility in SNAP that published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2019.

06/10/2021
Resource | Comment Request Comment Request - SNAP State Agency Options for Standard Utility Allowances and Self-Employment Income

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.

10/25/2019
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 | 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-2017-0015 Taking Food Components Offsite in the At-Risk Afterschool Component of CACFP

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.

CACFP10-2017
04/06/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0101 Clarification on Characteristics of Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility Programs Memo

FNS is issuing this memorandum in an effort to clarify the characteristics of BBCE programs and the actions states must take to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

12/27/2016
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
Page updated: October 14, 2021