MR #18.16: Increase in SNAP Income and Deduction Standards, Utility Standards October 2018

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09/06/18

Summary

This manual release contains policy changes for the SNAP Utility Standards, Maximum Monthly Gross/Net Income Standards and Deductions, the Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction, and the SNAP Maximum Monthly Benefit Allotments effective October 2018.
As a result of our annual review of state utility standards, Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved an increase in the Air Conditioning/Heating Standard, Limited Utility Standard, Single Utility Standard, and the Telephone Standard to be implemented effective October 2018. The increase in SNAP utility Standards are as follows:
- Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $466;
- Limited Utility Standard $319;
- Single Utility Standard $72;
- The Telephone Standard $30.
IES has implemented these changes on 09/04/18 for October 2018 SNAP issuances.
Federal law provides for an increase in the Maximum Monthly Gross and Net Income Standards, the Standard Deductions, the Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction and for certain SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotments effective October 2018.
The Maximum SNAP Allotments for 2 or more SNAP household members is increased. For a one person SNAP household, the Maximum SNAP Allotment remains unchanged at $192.
The minimum monthly benefit amount for 1-2 person households remains unchanged at $15.
The Standard Deduction amount by SNAP household size is increased as follows:
- 1 through 3 persons $157;
- 4 persons $167;
- 5 persons $197;
- 6 or more persons $227.
The Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction is increased to $552.
The SNAP 200% FPL Gross Income Standards used to determine categorical eligibility for qualifying member households is increased to be consistent with other programs.
IES system changes are effective 09/04/18 and reflect in the SNAP calculations starting with October 2018 issuances. IES system changes to update active SNAP cases occurred on 09/04/18.
The Program Standards chart WAG 25-03-02 (pdf) is revised with the new SNAP standard amounts.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program brochure (DHS 124) and the Expedited SNAP Screening (Form 401) are currently being revised. Staff will be notified when these forms become available.
The Basis of Issuance Table is currently being revised to reflect the increase in SNAP benefit amounts. Staff will be notified when the revised Basis of Issuance Table becomes available.

SNAP Utility Standards

As a result of our annual review of the state utility standards, FNS has approved an increase in the utility standard amounts to be implemented effective October 2018. The increase in the amount of the SNAP utility standards is as follows:

Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $466;
Limited Utility Standard $319;
Single Utility Standard $72;
The Telephone Standard $30.

System Changes

IES implemented the utility standard changes on 09/04/18 for October 2018 SNAP issuances.
Active SNAP cases were centrally updated with the utility standard changes on 09/04/18 for October SNAP issuances.
System changes to the ABE/WEB SNAP Calculators and the expedited questions in ABE/IES are effective 10/01/18.

SNAP Standards

Federal law provides for an increase in the Maximum Monthly Gross and Net Monthly Income Standards, the Standard Deduction Amounts, the Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction, and for certain SNAP Maximum Monthly SNAP Allotments effective October 2018.
The Maximum SNAP Allotments for 2 or more SNAP household members is increased to the amounts shown in the tables below.
For a one person SNAP household, the Maximum SNAP Allotment remains unchanged at $192.
The minimum monthly benefit amount for 1-2 person SNAP households remains unchanged at $15.
The Standard Deduction amount by SNAP household size is increased as follows:
- 1 through 3 persons $157;
- 4 persons $167;
- 5 persons $197;
- 6 or more persons $227.
The Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction is increased to $552.
The SNAP 200% FPL Gross Income Standards used to determine categorical eligibility for qualifying member households is increased to be consistent with other programs.

System Changes

IES system changes were implemented on 09/04/18 and reflect in the SNAP calculations starting with October 2018 issuances. IES system changes to update active SNAP cases occurred on 09/04/18.

Maximum Monthly Income Eligibility Standards

SNAP Unit Size	Maximum Gross Income Standards 165% FPL	Maximum Gross Income Standards 200% FPL	Maximum Net Income Standards
1 Person	$1,670	$2,023	$1,012
2 Persons	2,264	2,743	1,372
3 Persons	2,858	3,463	1,732
4 Persons	3,452	4,183	2,092
5 Persons	4,046	4,903	2,452
6 Persons	4,640	5,623	2,812
7 Persons	5,234	6,343	3,172
8 Persons	5,828	7,063	3,532
9 Persons	6,422	7,783	3,892
10 Persons	7,016	8,503	4,252
Each Add'l Member	+594	+720	+360

Gross Monthly Income Eligibility Standards- Elderly Disabled as Separate Unit

SNAP Unit Size	Gross Income Standard
1 Person	$1,670
2 Persons	2,264
3 Persons	2,858
4 Persons	3,450
5 Persons	4,046
6 Persons	4,640
7 Persons	5,234
8 Persons	5,828
9 Persons	6,422
10 Persons	7,016
Each Add'l Member	+594

Standard Deductions

SNAP Unit Size	Standard Deduction Amount
1-3 Persons	$157
4 Persons	167
5 Persons	197
6+ Persons	227

Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction

The maximum excess shelter deduction is increased to $552.

Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefit Amounts

SNAP Unit Size	Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount
1 Person	$192
2 Persons	353
3 Persons	505
4 Persons	642
5 Persons	762
6 Persons	914
7 Persons	1,011
8 Persons	1,155
9 Persons	1,299
10 Persons	1,443
Each Add'l Member	+144

Minimum SNAP Benefit Amount

SNAP Unit Size	Minimum SNAP Benefit Amount
1-2 Persons	$15

Basis of Issuance Table

The Basis of Issuance Table is currently being revised to reflect the increase in SNAP benefit amounts. Staff will be notified when the revised Basis of Issuance Table becomes available.

Form Changes

The Program Standards chart WAG 25-03-02 (pdf) is revised with the new SNAP standard amounts.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program brochure (DHS 124) and the Expedited SNAP Screening (Form 401) are currently being revised. Staff will be notified when these forms become available.