Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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-2010-0043 SNAP - Standard Utility Allowance Annual Review and Adjustment Waiver for Certain States

Due to the impact on SNAP benefits resulting from continuing fluctuations in energy prices, FNS is modifying the Standard Utility Allowance blanket waiver memorandum of Oct. 14, 2010 to allow certain states to extend fiscal year (FY) 2010 SUA amounts through March 31, 2011.

12/02/2010
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2010-0033 Extension of Standard Utility Allowance Waiver for Certain States

Due to the impact on SNAP benefits resulting from drastically fluctuating energy prices, FNS is extending the one-time blanket SUA waiver for an additional 3 months to certain states that would otherwise be ineligible for the waiver in FY 2011.

10/14/2010
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2010-0028 SUA Annual Review and Adjustment Biennial Option

This memorandum provides a second opportunity for state agencies to opt for a blanket waiver of the regulations at S 273.9 (d)(6)(iii)(B) which require state agencies to update SUAs annually.

08/06/2010
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2009-0052 SNAP - Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) Annual Review and Adjustment Biennial Option

It has come to FNS's attention that, due to unusual shifts in utility costs, SNAP benefits to needy families may decrease when states make annual SUA adjustments this year - even if the circumstances of those households remain constant.

08/18/2009
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2009-0047 SNAP - Non-Land-Line Telephone Expenses Allowances and Deductions

For over thirty years, SNAP has deducted the cost of telephones in determining a household's eligibility and benefit amounts, either by deducting actual telephone bills or standard telephone allowances.

07/14/2009
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2008-0025 Prototype Language for Return of Discounts, Rebates and Credits to School Food Authorities

In response to several requests and to assist state agencies and school food authorities in their compliance efforts, we are providing the following prototype contract language requiring the return of purchase incentives to SFAs.

SP21-2008
05/01/2008
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2006-0042 U.S. Armed Forces Family Supplemental Subsistence Allowance – Permanently Excluded from Income Consideration for the Child Nutrition Programs

PL 109-163 made the Department of Defense’s Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance  permanently available.

SP30 CACFP14 SFSP07-2006
08/25/2006
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2005-0057 Adjusting Standard Utility Allowances for the 2005-2006 Winter

Several state agencies have recently asked FNS to approve increases in their Standard Utility Allowances (SUA’s) for heating and cooling based on projections of substantial price increases in energy sources – particularly natural gas. We are aware of broad interest in the issue of the impact of higher energy prices on household budgets and appreciate the conferences and correspondence that bring this issue to our attention.

12/09/2005
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2005-0047 Treatment of Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance and National Flood Insurance Program payments in Income Eligibility Determinations for FNS Programs

This memorandum provides guidance to state administrators in making household eligibility determinations in all nutrition assistance programs administered by FNS.

SP02 CACFP02 SFSP01-2006
10/29/2005
Page updated: October 14, 2021