STANDARD UTILITY ALLOWANCE
NON-HEATING/COOLING STANDARD
LOWER UTILITY ALLOWANCE
TELEPHONE STANDARD
SYSTEM CHANGES
WORKER ACTIONS

There is no change in the Standard Utility Allowance policy. 

This allowance is used if the EU incurs utility expenses for primary heating or cooling costs or received energy assistance benefits at the EU residence in the past 12 months, even if it does not incur out-of-pocket expenses. 

Allow the full SUA for EUs in public housing with shared meters that are only charged for excess heating or cooling costs.

Allow the full SUA for DMH participants who pay a portion of the heating or cooling costs.

NON-HEATING/COOLING STANDARD (NHCS) - $100

If the EU does not qualify for the SUA, but incurs two or more qualifying utility expenses, use the NHCS.

The NHCS includes utility charges other than heating/cooling, which the EU incurs.  To qualify for the NHCS the two utility charges must be:

• for electricity, gas, water, sewer, or garbage/trash collection, 
• separate from the EU's rent or mortgage costs,
• actually incurred by the EU, and
• billed to the EU on a regular basis for utility costs at the EU residence.

• electricity,
• gas/cooking fuel,
• water,
• sewer, or 
• garbage/trash collection. 

DMH participants who pay a portion of two utility costs, and are not entitled to the SUA, are entitled to the NHCS.

LOWER UTILITY STANDARD (LUA) - $55

If the EU does not qualify for the SUA, or the NHCS, but incurs one qualifying utility expense, use the LUA.

The LUA includes utility charges other than heating/cooling, which the EU incurs.  To qualify for the LUA one utility charge must be:

• for electricity, gas, water, sewer, or garbage/trash collection, 
• separate from the EU's rent or mortgage costs,
• actually incurred by the EU, and
• billed to the EU on a regular basis for utility costs at the EU residence.

• electricity,
• gas/cooking fuel,
• water,
• sewer, or
• garbage/trash collection. 

DMH participants who pay a portion of one utility cost, and are not entitled to the SUA, are entitled to the LUA.

TELEPHONE STANDARD - $26

There is no change in the telephone standard. 

If the EU is not eligible for the SUA, and incurs a telephone cost, use the telephone standard.  The telephone standard may be used with the NHCS or LUA when the EU is entitled to both expenses.

SYSTEM CHANGES

There are no changes to the Shelter Expense (FMXK) screen.  Record all shelter expenses for the EU on this screen. 

A new field is added to the Utility Expense Standard (FMXJ) screen for the Lower Utility Allowance.  This field is being populated with "N" by the system for all active cases. 

The system does not make the determination between the NHCS and LUA, and does not require the entry of two utility expenses on the Shelter Expense screen to allow the NHCS.  A worker review of the qualifying expenses is required.   It is important that the qualifying expenses recorded on the Utility Expense screen  support the decision on Utility Expense Standard screen.

WORKER ACTIONS

For pending applications, record the shelter expenses on the Shelter Expense screen based upon the EU's statements.  Use the EU's statement for verification of utility expenses, unless questionable.  Enter the utility standard decision on the Utility Expense Standard screen.

For active EUs, at the next contact, but no later than next certification, determine the correct utility standard based upon the EU's statements.  Update the Shelter Expense and Utility Expense Standard screens if necessary.  If the EU is receiving the NHCS and has declared only one utility expense, determine if there are other qualifying utility expenses prior to removing the NHCS and adding the LUA.

If there is only one qualifying expense, change the NHCS to "N" and the LUA to "Y".  Complete an eligibility determination.  If the food stamp benefits are lowered, a notice of adverse action is generated.  This is an action required to be taken for EUs subject to simplified reporting requirements.  Do not disregard the adverse action. 

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Effective November 17, 2003 review the shelter expense of all food stamp EU's at next contact. 
• Use the NHCS when the EU has two or more qualifying utility expenses and is not eligible for the SUA.
• Use the LUA when the EU has only one qualifying utility expense and is not eligible for the SUA.