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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 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Information

We adjust SNAP maximum allotments, deductions, and income eligibility standards at the beginning of each federal fiscal year. 

10/01/2023
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP FY 2024 Cost-of-Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the FY 2024 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to the SNAP maximum allotments, income eligibility standards, and deductions. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2023.

08/03/2023
Resource | Policy Memos CSFP Submission of Additional Caseload Requests and State Plans for 2024

This document provides information on the requirements for submission of additional CSFP caseload requests for states and ITOs wishing to increase their assigned caseload in 2024.

07/25/2023
Resource | Policy Memos CSFP: Caseload Assignments for the 2023 Caseload Cycle and Administrative Grants

This memorandum provides final caseload allocations to CSFP state agencies, including tribal organizations. Caseload is assigned using the formula found in current program regulations at 7 CFR 247.21.

01/17/2023
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0110 SNAP Provisions in the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act

This memorandum describes the provisions of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act that affect SNAP. Section 2502 of the Act provides that Afghan nationals, citizens, or those who last habitually lived in Afghanistan who are granted parole between July 31, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2022, are eligible to receive resettlement assistance, entitlement programs (including SNAP), and other benefits available to refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

01/06/2023
Resource | Policy Memos CSFP Submission of Additional Caseload Requests for 2023

This document provides information on the requirements for submission of additional CSFP caseload requests for states and ITOs wishing to increase their assigned caseload in 2023.

09/29/2022
Resource | Policy SNAP Provisions in the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022

This memorandum provides implementation guidance for Sec. 401 of the “Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022,” signed into law on May 21, 2022. Sec. 401 extends SNAP eligibility to certain Ukrainian parolees.

06/07/2022
Resource | Policy Memos CSFP: Revised Maximum Monthly Distribution Rates to Return to Full Vegetable Issuance

This memorandum provides return to the full issuance of eight units of vegetables or soup in CSFP food packages for May 2022 distributions and beyond.

04/19/2022
Resource | Policy Memos CSFP: Caseload Assignments for the 2022 Caseload Cycle and Administrative Grants

This memorandum and attached chart, Attachment A, provide 2022 caseload assignments for CSFP.

04/18/2022
Page updated: October 14, 2021