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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 | Presentations SNAP E&T 2022 National Forum: Program Evolution - A Case Study

This session will feature three states discussing where they’re at now, how they got there, and where they’re going. 

01/23/2023
Basic page SNAP Legislative History - 80s

Early legislative history of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

05/12/2021
Basic page Reauthorization Application Sign-In

If you received a letter from FNS telling you that store(s) you own are due for reauthorization, sign in to access your reauthorization application.

02/10/2021
Basic page SNAP Legislative History - 60s

Early legislative history of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

01/01/2021
Basic page SNAP Legislative History - 50s

Early legislative history of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

01/01/2021
Basic page SNAP Legislative History - 70s

Early legislative history of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

01/01/2021
Basic page SNAP Legislative History - 90s

Early legislative history of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

01/01/2021
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: 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
Page updated: October 14, 2021