MR #16.14: Change in SNAP Utility Standards and Income and Deduction Standards October 2016

Illinois Department of Human Services

09/20/16

Summary

This manual release contains policy changes to the SNAP Utility Standards and the Gross/Net Income Standards and Deductions effective October 2016.

This release also includes a policy clarification from Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to consider payments received from the Veterans Administration Incentive Therapy (IT) Program, which includes the Compensated Work Therapy Program (CWT), as nonexempt earned income from a training program.

  • As a result of our annual review of the SNAP utility standards, the amounts will increase as follows:
    • Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $388;
    • Limited Utility Standard $285;
    • Single Utility Standard $64; and
    • Telephone Standard $30.
  • FNS has approved the increase in utility standards to be implemented effective 10/1/16.
  • Federal law provides for an increase in the Maximum Monthly Gross and Net Income Standards and the Standard Deduction for some SNAP units. The Maximum Monthly Gross Income Standards increased for SNAP units with 1- 6 persons. The gross income standard amounts for SNAP units with 7 or more persons remain unchanged. The Maximum Monthly Net Income Standards increased for SNAP units with 1-5 persons. There is no change in the net income standard amounts for SNAP units with 6 or more persons.
  • The Standard Deduction is increased to $150 for SNAP units with 1-3 persons. The standard deduction amounts for 4 or more persons remains unchanged.
  • The Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction is increased to $517.
  • The SNAP allotments and the minimum monthly benefit amount for 1-2 person households remain unchanged. The Basis of Issuance Table is updated to reflect the new Net Income Standard amounts for the household size only.
  • 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 has implemented these changes effective for October 2016 issuances. System changes in ACM and IPACS are effective 09/15/16. Active cases will be centrally updated at the close of their processing schedule effective for 10/1/16.
  • System changes to the ABE and SNAP Web calculators and the expedited questions in IES and ABE are effective 10/01/16.
  • The Program Standards Chart WAG 25-03-02 (pdf) is revised with the new standard amounts.
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program brochure (DHS 124) is revised.

SNAP Utility Standards

As a result of our annual review of the SNAP utility standards, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved the following changes to be implemented effective 10/01/16:

  • Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $388;
  • Limited Utility Standard increased $285;
  • Single Utility Standard increased $64; and
  • The Telephone Standard is increased $30.

System Changes

  • IES has implemented these changes effective with regular roll benefits for October. System changes in ACM and IPACS are effective 09/15/16.
  • Active cases will be centrally updated at the close of their processing schedule effective for 10/1/16.
  • System changes to the ABE/WEB SNAP Calculators and the expedited questions in ABE/IES are effective 10/1/16.

Increase in SNAP Standards

Federal law provides for an increase in the Maximum Monthly Gross and Net Income Standards and the Standard Deduction for some SNAP units.

  • The Maximum Monthly Gross Income Standards increased for SNAP units with 1- 6 persons. The gross income standard amounts for SNAP units with 7 or more persons remain unchanged.
  • The Maximum Monthly Net Income Standards increased for SNAP units with 1-5 persons. There is no change in the net income standard amounts for SNAP units with 6 or more persons.
  • The Standard Deduction is increased to $150 for SNAP units with 1-3 persons. The standard deduction amounts for 4 or more persons remains unchanged.

In addition to these changes, we are revising the 200% FPL Maximum Gross Income Standards used to determine SNAP categorical eligibility for qualifying member units.

System Changes

  • IES has implemented these changes effective with regular roll benefits for October. System changes are effective 09/15/16 in ACM and IES.
  • Active cases will be centrally updated at the close of their processing schedule effective 10/01/16.
  • System changes to the ABE/WEB SNAP Calculators and the expedited questions in ABE/IES are effective 10/01/16.

Maximum Monthly Income Eligibility Standards

Note: The Gross Monthly Income Standards increased for SNAP units with 1-6 persons. 

The Net Monthly Income Standards increased for SNAP units with 1-5 persons.

SNAP

Unit Size

Maximum Gross Income

 Standards 165% FPL

Maximum Gross Income

 Standards 200% FPL

Maximum Net Income

 Standards

1 Person $1,634 $1,980 $990
2 Persons 2,203 2,670 1,335
3 Persons 2,772 3,360 1,680
4 Persons 3,342 4,050 2,025
5 Persons 3,911 4,740 2,370
6 Persons 4,480 5,430 2,715
7 Persons 5,051 6,122 3,061
8 Persons 5,623 6,815 3,408
9 Persons 6,195 7,508 3,755
10 Persons 6,767 8,201 4,102

Each Add'l

Member

+572 +693 +347

Note: See the above 165% FPL Gross Income Standards column for the Maximum Gross Income Standards- Elderly Disabled as a Separate Unit WAG 04-05-02.

Standard Deductions

Note: The Standard Deduction for 1-3 persons is increased to $150. There is no change to the Standard Deduction amounts for 4 or more persons.

SNAP Unit Size Standard Deduction Amount
1-3 Persons $150
4 Persons 161
5 Persons 190
6+ Persons 219

Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction

The Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction is increased to $517.

Form Revision

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Brochure (DHS 124) is revised.

Policy Clarification

This release also includes a policy clarification from Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to consider payments received from the Veterans Administration Incentive Therapy (IT) Program, which includes the Compensated Work Therapy Program (CWT) as nonexempt earned income from a training program.

MANUAL REVISIONS

[signed copy on file]

James T. Dimas

Secretary-designate, Illinois Department of Human Services

Forms referenced:

Form 124