This final rule amends Food Stamp Program regulations to implement sections 846 and 847 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (Agriculture Appropriations Act of 2001).
The rule allows state agencies the option to use their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program vehicle allowance rules rather than the vehicle rules ordinarily used in the Food Stamp Program where doing so will result in a lower attribution of resources to food stamp households. The rule also increases the maximum amount of the Food Stamp Program excess shelter expense deduction and indexes it each fiscal year to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all Urban Consumers for the 12 month period ending the previous November 30.
The rule will increase benefits for some participants, make additional households eligible for food stamps, and provide greater flexibility for states in determining the value of vehicles.