MR #21.23: October 2021 Increase in SNAP Allotments, Utility Standards, Income and Deduction Standards

Illinois Department of Human Services Logo

10/08/2021

Summary

This manual release contains policy changes for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Utility Standards, Maximum Monthly Gross/Net Income Standards and Deductions, the Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction, and the SNAP Maximum Monthly Benefit Amounts effective October 2021.
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 2021:
- Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $529;
- Limited Utility Standard $341;
- Single Utility Standard $59;
- Telephone Standard $44.

Federal law provides for an increase in the Maximum Monthly Gross and Net Income Standards, the Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction, the Standard Deductions and SNAP Maximum Monthly Benefit Amounts effective with October 2021 issuances.
The minimum monthly benefit amount for 1-2 person households has increased to $20.
The Standard Deduction amount by SNAP household size is as follows:
- 1 through 3 persons $170;
- 4 persons $177;
- 5 persons $208;
- 6 or more persons $239.
The Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction is increased to $597.
The Homeless Shelter Standard is increased to $159.
The SNAP 200% FPL Gross Income Standards used to determine categorical eligibility for qualifying member households is increased to be consistent with other programs.
The Asset Limits for SNAP have increased as follows:
- $3,750 for households with at least 1 qualifying member and gross monthly income of the household is above the 200% FPL
- $2,500 for all other SNAP households
- $3,750 for Lottery and Gambling winnings.
IES system changes are effective 10/01/2021 and will reflect in the SNAP calculations starting with October 2021 issuances. IES system changes to update active SNAP cases is on or around 08/24/2021.
System changes to the ABE/WEB SNAP Calculators and the expedited questions in ABE/IES are effective 10/01/2021.
The Program Standards chart WAG 25-03-02 (link to WAG 25-03-02 to be provided at a later date) 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 tables become available.
The 15% Temporary SNAP increase will end 09/30/2021.

SNAP Utility Standards

As a result of our annual review of the state utility standards, FNS has approved an increase in the following utility standard amounts to be implemented effective October 2021.

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

Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $529;
Limited Utility Standard $341;
Single Utility Standard $59;
The Telephone Standard $44.

System Changes

IES system changes to implement the utility standard changes are effective 08/24/2021 for October 2021 issuances.
Active SNAP cases will be centrally updated with the utility standard changes on or around 08/24/2021 for October SNAP issuances.
System changes to the ABE/WEB SNAP Calculators and the expedited questions in ABE/IES are effective 10/01/2021.

SNAP Standards

Federal law provides for an increase in the Maximum Monthly Gross and Net Monthly Income Standards, the Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction, the Standard Deduction. The Standard Deduction for 1-3 person households has increased to $170
The SNAP Maximum Monthly SNAP Allotments are increased for all SNAP households. The minimum monthly benefit amount for 1-2 person households has increased to $20.
The SNAP 200% FPL Gross Income Standards used to determine categorical eligibility for qualifying member households is increased to be consistent with other programs.
The Standard Deduction amount by SNAP household is as follows:
- 1 through 3 persons $170;
- 4 persons $177;
- 5 persons $208;
- 6 or more persons $239.
The Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction is increased to $597.
These changes are effective with the October 2021 issuances and are as indicated in the tables below.
The Asset Limits for SNAP have increased as follows:
- $3,750 for households with at least 1 qualifying member and gross monthly income of the household is above the 200% FPL
- $2,500 for all other SNAP households
- $3,750 for Lottery and Gambling winnings.

System Changes

IES system changes are effective 08/24/2021 and will reflect in the SNAP calculations starting with October 2021 issuances.
IES system changes to update active SNAP cases will occur on or around 08/24/2021.
System changes to the ABE/WEB SNAP Calculators and the expedited questions in ABE/IES are effective 10/01/2021.

SNAP Household Size	Maximum Gross Income Standards 165% FPL	Maximum Gross Income Standards 200% FPL	Maximum Net Income Standards 100% FPL
1 Person	$1,771	$2,147	$1,074
2 Persons	2,396	2,903	1,452
3 Persons	3,020	3,660	1,830
4 Persons	3,644	4,417	2,209
5 Persons	4,268	5,173	2,587
6 Persons	4,893	5,930	2,965
7 Persons	5,517	6,687	3,344
8 Persons	6,141	7,443	3,722
9 Persons	6,766	8,200	4,101
10 Persons	7,391	8,957	4,480
Each Add'l Person	625	757	379

Gross Monthly Income Eligibility Standards - Elderly Disabled as Separate Unit

SNAP Household Size	Gross Income Standard
1 Person	$1,771
2 Persons	2,396
3 Persons	3,020
4 Persons	3,644
5 Persons	4,268
6 Persons	4,893
7 Persons	5,517
8 Persons	6,141
9 Persons	6,766
10 Persons	7,391
Each Add' l Person	625

Standard Deductions

SNAP Household Size	Standard Deduction Amount
1-3 Persons	$170
4 Persons	177
5 Persons	208
6+ Persons	239

Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction

The Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction is increased to $597.

Homeless Shelter Standard

The Homeless Shelter Standard is increased to $159.

Maximum SNAP Benefit Amounts

SNAP Household Size	Maximum SNAP Benefit Amounts
1 Person	$250
2 Persons	459
3 Persons	658
4 Persons	835
5 Persons	992
6 Persons	1,190
7 Persons	1,316
8 Persons	1,504
9 Persons	1,692
10 Persons	1,880
Each Add'l Person	188

Minimum SNAP Benefit Amount

SNAP Household Size	SNAP Benefit Amount
1-2 Persons	$20

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 tables become available.

Form Changes

The Program Standards chart WAG 25-03-02 (link to WAG 25-03-02 to be provided at a later date) 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 SNAP standard amounts. Staff will be notified when these forms become available.