FNS Documents & Resources

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.

This information collection addresses the state agency reporting burden associated with the following state agency options under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Establishing and reviewing standard utility allowances (SUAs) and establishing methodology for offsetting cost of producing self-employment income.

The proposed rule would revise SNAP regulations to standardize the methodology for calculating standard utility allowances. 

The purpose of this memo is to transmit national target areas and procedures for management evaluations for FY 2016. FNS, with input from the regional offices, has identified four national target areas for the ROs to review.

This memorandum provides guidance on reporting expenditures of SNAP funds in order to comply with reporting requirements of OMB Circular A-133 and OMB guidance implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Our Oct. 31, 2013 subject memorandum pertained to A-133 audits of fiscal year 2013. This memorandum updates that document by providing parallel information on fiscal year 2014 audits.

This rule proposes to amend NSLP regulations to incorporate provisions of the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010 designed to encourage states to improve direct certification efforts with SNAP.

This memorandum provides a policy option to states to help soften the impact that reduced SUAs might have on SNAP households in certain state.

The purpose of this memorandum is to implement a provision affecting mandatory direct certification for children in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households.

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.

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.