3-003.01H Utility Allowance

475 NAC 3-003.01H

To qualify for a utility allowance, the household must be billed for utilities on a recurring basis apart from the rent or mortgage. Utility allowances are established in accordance with formulas approved by the Food and Nutrition Service and are adjusted annually to reflect changes. The household may receive one of the following:

1. Standard Utility Allowance (SUA);

2. Limited Utility Allowance (LUA);

3. One Utility Allowance (OUA); or

4. Telephone Standard Allowance.

 

The following utility costs are not considered or are not allowable in determining eligibility for a utility allowance. The costs include the following:

  1. One-time deposits;
  2. Maintenance costs, with the exception of the maintenance of wells and septic tank systems which are allowable;
  3. The repair or replacement costs of such things as utility lines unless they were damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster;
  4. Costs connected with cutting wood such as cutting permits, gas for a chain saw or truck, etc.;
  5. Late fees;
  6. Cable television installation and monthly charges; and
  7. Utility expense which is reimbursed or paid by an excluded payment, including HUD and FmHA utility reimbursements. Households that receive these payments are not entitled to use the:
    1. Standard Utility Allowance unless the household incurs heating or cooling costs that exceed the reimbursement; or
    2. Limited Utility Allowance or the One Utility Allowance unless the household incurs actual utility costs, other than heating or cooling that exceed the reimbursement.

 

For CR reporting households entitlement to a utility allowance must be redetermined when the household moves. If an SR reporting household reports a move the entitlement to a utility allowance must be redetermined. When the household does not qualify for the SUA, LUA, OUA, or Telephone Allowance, the household is not eligible for any utility deduction. Actual utility costs cannot be allowed as a deduction.

Utility allowances are located at 475-000-206, "Monthly SNAP Deductions."

If a household owns a home that is temporarily unoccupied because of employment or training away from home, illness, or abandonment due to a casualty or natural disaster, the household is entitled to only one utility allowance. If the household is paying different utility types at the two residences, the household has the choice of using the temporarily unoccupied structure or their current residence in the food stamp budget.

Example:
The household was responsible for paying all utilities, including heating and cooling, at the temporarily unoccupied residence. The household has left this residence due to fire damage and is currently living in an apartment where the only utilities are water, sewer and the phone. The household would have the option of choosing the appropriate utility allowance for their current residence or the temporarily unoccupied residence but not both residences.

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3-003.01H1 Standard Utility Allowance (SUA)

3-003.01H2 Limited Utility Allowance (LUA)

3-003.01H3 One Utility Allowance (OUA)

3-003.01H4 Telephone Allowance

3-003.01H5 Utilities Shared with Others

3-003.01H6 Rental Housing

3-003.01H7 Verification of Utility Expenses