MR #19.12: October 2019 Increase in SNAP Allotments, Utility Standards, Income and Deduction Standards

Illinois Department of Human Services

08/21/19

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 2019.
As a result of our annual review of the state utility standards, Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved an increase in the following utility standards to be implemented effective October 2019:
- Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $478;
- Limited Utility Standard $328;
- Single Utility Standard $74.
The Telephone Standard remains unchanged at $30.
Federal law provides for an increase in the Maximum Monthly Gross and Net Income Standards, the Standard Deductions, the Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction and SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotments effective with October 2019 issuances.
The minimum monthly benefit amount for 1-2 person households is increased to $16.
The Standard Deduction amount by SNAP household size is increased as follows:
- 1 through 3 persons $160;
- 4 persons $171;
- 5 persons $202;
- 6 or more persons $233.
The Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction is increased to $569.
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 08/17/19 and will reflect in the SNAP calculations starting with October 2019 issuances. IES system changes to update active SNAP cases is 09/07/19.
System changes to the ABE/WEB SNAP Calculators and the expedited questions in ABE/IES are effective 10/01/19.
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 with the new amounts. 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.
Included with this release is a change to the Standard Medical Deduction from $245 to $200 for SNAP qualifying member households living in the community. This change is due to an annual review by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of our Standard Medical Deduction Demonstration Project and is effective with October 2019 issuances. The Standard Medical Deduction for residents of Group Homes and Supportive Living Facilities remains unchanged at $485. A manual release will be published shortly.

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 2019.

The increase in the amount of the SNAP utility standards is as follows:

Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $478;
Limited Utility Standard $328;
Single Utility Standard $74;
The Telephone Standard remains unchanged at $30.

System Changes

IES system changes to implement the utility standard changes are effective 08/17/19 for October 2019 SNAP issuances.
Active SNAP cases will be centrally updated with the utility standard changes on 09/07/19 for October SNAP issuances.
System changes to the ABE/WEB SNAP Calculators and the expedited questions in ABE/IES are effective 10/01/19.

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 the SNAP Maximum Monthly SNAP Allotments effective October 2019
The Maximum SNAP Allotments are increased to the amounts shown in the table below. The minimum monthly benefit amount for 1-2 person households is increased to $16.
The Standard Deduction amount by SNAP household size is increased as follows:
- 1 through 3 persons $160;
- 4 persons $171;
- 5 persons $202;
- 6 or more persons $233.
The Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction is increased to $569.

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 are effective 08/17/19 and will reflect in the SNAP calculations starting with October 2019 issuances.

IES system changes to update active SNAP cases will occur 09/07/19.

System changes to the ABE/WEB SNAP Calculators and the expedited questions in ABE/IES are effective 10/01/19.

Maximum Monthly Income Eligibility Standards

SNAP Household Size	Maximum Gross Income Standards 165% FPL	Maximum Gross Income Standards 200% FPL	Maximum Net Income Standards 100% FPL
1 Person	$ 1,718	$ 2,082	$1,041
2 Persons	2,326	2,818	1,410
3 Persons	2,933	3,555	1,778
4 Persons	3,541	4,292	2,146
5 Persons	4,149	5,028	2,515
6 Persons	4,757	5,765	2,883
7 Persons	5,364	6,502	3,251
8 Persons	5,972	7,238	3,620
9 Persons	6,580	7,975	3,989
10 Persons	7,188	8,712	4,358
Each Add 'l Member	$ 608	$ 737	$ 369

Gross Monthly Income Eligibility Standards - Elderly Disabled as Separate Unit

SNAP Household Size	Gross Income Standard
1 Person	$1,718
2 Persons	2,326
3 Persons	2,933
4 Persons	3,541
5 Persons	4,149
6 Persons	4,757
7 Persons	5,364
8 Persons	5,972
9 Persons	6,580
10 Persons	7,188
Each Add 'l Member	$ 608

Standard Deductions

SNAP Household Size	Standard Deduction Amount
1-3 Persons	$160
4 Persons	171
5 Persons	202
6 +Persons	233

Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction

The maximum excess shelter deduction is increased to $569.

Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefit Amounts

SNAP Household Size	Maximum SNAP Benefit Amounts
1 Person	$194
2 Persons	355
3 Persons	509
4 Persons	646
5 Persons	768
6 Persons	921
7 Persons	1,018
8 Persons	1,164
9 Persons	1,310
10 Persons	1,456
Each Additional Person	$146

Minimum SNAP Benefit Amount

SNAP Household Size	SNAP Benefit Amount
1-2	$16

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.

SNAP Standard Medical Deduction

Included with this release is a change to the Standard Medical Deduction from $245 to $200 for SNAP qualifying member households living in the community effective with October 2019 issuances. This change is due to an annual review by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of our Standard Medical Deduction Demonstration Project. The Standard Medical Deduction for residents of Group Homes and Supportive Living Facilities remains unchanged at $485. A manual release will be published shortly.