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.
FNS will collect and approve information from state agencies on how the various state SNAP agencies develop, update, change and implement options will be determined for SUAs for household.
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the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program that have caused an area of SNAP regulations to become outdated and no longer applicable.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.
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will discontinue the requirement for vendors to use high security seals to secure USDA Foods deliveries as of July 1, 2023.
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.
This information collection addresses the mandatory state agency information and burden estimates associated with the following state agency options under SNAP: establishing and reviewing standard utility allowances and establishing methodology for offsetting cost of producing self-employment income.
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.
This is a letter clarifying public charge policy as it pertains to SNAP participation. The letter is jointly signed by FNS and USCIS.
This letter provides key information about a change in the way the Department of Homeland Security is administering the public charge ground of inadmissibility.
This letter is an update to the April 12, 2021 letter that USCIS issued concerning public charge and how it interacts with the food assistance programs, including SNAP.