Effective April 1, 2002, allow the Standard
Utility Allowance (SUA) in its entirety for individuals ineligible due
to:
-
failure to apply for or refusal to provide
an SSN,
-
ineligibility due to immigrant status (immigrant
not meeting the criteria of an eligible immigrant, temporary immigrant,
or undocumented immigrant),
-
not meeting the 18 to 50 year old work requirement,
or
-
failure to comply with a required action in
a means-tested public assistance program.
This is a change in current policy that excludes
a pro rata share of the SUA for these ineligible individuals. The
policy for prorating other shelter costs has not changed. Continue
to prorate other shelter costs such as rent or mortgage expense, the non-heating
cooling standard (NHCS), and the telephone standard among the household
members who are disqualified or ineligible and who pay for or are billed
for the expense.
Example: The food stamp household
consists of Mr. and Mrs. J. and three children. Mr. J. is an ineligible
immigrant. He pays the rent of $400 and the utilities. The
household is entitled to the SUA. Count a pro rata share of the rent
($320) and all of the SUA for the four eligible household members.
Implement this change in policy:
-
for initial food stamp applications certified
for April 1, 2002, or later, or
-
for currently participating households at
the next recertification effective April 1, 2002, or later.
The Food Stamp Manual is being revised to
reflect this change in policy and will be issued at a later date. |