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.
We adjust SNAP maximum allotments, deductions, and income eligibility standards at the beginning of each federal fiscal year.
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.
Through this data collection effort, FNS seeks to understand the interrelated factors that lead to household food insecurity. Data will be collected in six counties experiencing persistent intergenerational poverty through a study titled Understanding the Relationship Between Poverty, Well-Being, and Food Security.
This memorandum provides guidance to SNAP state agencies on the end of the temporary student exemptions as described in Section 702(e) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). This expands upon the SNAP Student Provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 - Questions and Answers – Section 702(e) memorandum issued on Feb. 2, 2021.
This notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk for the period from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
The attached questions and answers provide policy clarifications to address state agency concerns regarding the Food and Nutrition Service's Feb. 8, 2019, Information Memorandum which discussed Section 4004 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
This memorandum provides the fiscal year 2019 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, 2018.
This memorandum provides the fiscal year 2019 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, 2018.
This memorandum provides the fiscal year 2018 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) 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, 2017.