MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) clarified that TracFones and pre-paid cellular phones associated with pre-paid phone cards are a qualifying telephone expense for the Telephone Standard deduction. The recurring cost to the eligibility unit (EU) is the purchase of phone cards that contain a specific number of minutes to be used for a specific phone. Pre-paid phone cards that are not associated with a specific phone are not eligible for the telephone standard.

Food Stamp Manual section 1115.035.25.15 has been revised based on this clarification.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

AC/cs