Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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
Basic page SNAP Eligibility

To get SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state in which you currently live and you must meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits, which are described on this page. SNAP income and resource limits are updated annually.

10/01/2023
Basic page Elegibilidad de SNAP

Para obtener los beneficios del SNAP, debe presentar una solicitud en el estado en el que vive actualmente y debe cumplir con ciertos requisitos, como los límites de recursos e ingresos, que se describen en esta página. Los límites de ingresos y recursos del SNAP se actualizan anualmente.

10/01/2023
Basic page SNAP Special Rules for the Elderly or Disabled

To get SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state in which you currently live and you must meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits.

10/01/2023
Basic page Normas especiales de SNAP para los ancianos o personas discapacitadas

Para obtener beneficios de SNAP, usted debe solicitar en el estado en el que vive actualmente y debe cumplir con ciertos requisitos, incluso los límites de recursos e ingresos.

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 Updates to Paper-Based Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) and Cuban Haitian Entrants

This memo clarifies processes to reflect system updates for state agencies pursuing additional verification through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program that have caused an area of SNAP regulations to become outdated and no longer applicable. This memo also explains how to request information on SNAP applicants who are claiming Cuban-Haitian Entrant designation.

04/11/2023
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 2022 Commissioners Letter - SNAP Policy on Public Charge

This is a letter clarifying public charge policy as it pertains to SNAP participation. The letter was sent to SNAP state commissioners in Jan. 2022.

10/19/2022
Page updated: October 14, 2021