Policy Corner
THIS is the SNAP policy covering deductible expenses, including medical expenses, shelter costs, utility standards and more
What is B-650-SNAP Deductions?
During THESE case actions, current verification of reported shelter costs must be requested if not already available in the record.
What is Application, Redetermination, and when a change in shelter expense is reported at Simplified Report or as an interim change.
THIS type of verification of a shelter expense is typically hand-written but it must contain the household’s address, as well as the date, name of the client, amount paid, frequency, name of the landlord and the landlord’s signature, in order to be considered sufficient verification.
What is a rent receipt?
THIS type of utility deduction is allowed for SNAP households which have primary heating OR cooling costs separate from their rent or mortgage, per B-654-1.
What is standard utility allowance (SUA)?
This is the current SUA amount.
What is $465?
The following statement: "Expenses covered by an excluded reimbursement, vendor payment, or in-kind income are not deductible" is an example of one of THESE found in policy B-657.
What is RULES THAT APPLY TO ALL SNAP DEDUCTIONS
THESE exceptions are identified in B-654 as one-time deposits, down payments, or closing costs.
What are disallowed shelter costs?
Staff must complete a specific set of steps, commonly referred to as THIS, when processing an SR with no reported shelter expense changes. Here are the steps:
1. Update the shelter expense verification type
Change Client Statement → Collateral Contact
2. Enter a clear case note
Case note must reflect the following points:
What is a temporary workaround?
A household may use THIS type of moveable electric, gas, or kerosene appliance as their primary heat source, which makes the household eligible for SUA.
What are portable space heaters?
This is the current BUA amount.
What is $258?
THIS policy covers changes in shelter expenses at simplified report (SR).
What is S-410-SNAP Processing Standards?
Mortgage billing statements may reflect THIS common sub-charge to fund an account managed by the lender to pay the property-related expenses, such as property taxes and/or homeowners insurance, on behalf of the homeowner. By the way, it's an allowable shelter expense cost.
What is an escrow payment?
If pages are missing, THIS type of verification cannot be used as verification of the reported shelter expense. To avoid a payment error, it's a best practice to instruct the client to submit all pages in its entirety, and/or contact the landlord directly to verify details.
What is a lease?
SNAP households that contain an elderly or disabled member and receive energy assistance payments greater than $20 annually through THIS program in the current month or in the immediately preceding 12 months are entitled to the SUA even if the SNAP household does not have heating or cooling costs separate from their rent or mortgage.
What is Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)?
This is the current telephone standard amount.
What is $76?
THIS type of publication serves as official notification to staff about programmatic and policy changes, for example, when staff were officially notified about a change in the requirement to verify shelter expenses effective January 26, 2026 (E-2733-00).
What is an Executive Bulletin?
Households in which all members are homeless and have a qualifying shelter expense are eligible for and must be offered THIS in lieu of the excess shelter expense deduction, per B-654-6.
What is a homeless shelter deduction?
When a household is currently not paying their entire mortgage however the mortgage is still being billed and owed, this amount should be allowed as a deduction. By the way, it would not include past-due balances and late charges.
What is the original mortgage amount?
A SNAP household which receives energy assistance but does not include a member who is considered either THIS or THAT must incur heating or cooling costs in order to receive the SUA, per B-654-1.
What is an elderly or disabled member?
This is the current homeless shelter deduction amount.
What is $198.99?
When specific guidance for handling certain case scenarios is not available, or is not addressed or is unclear in policy, it may be necessary to request THIS from a regional consultant.
What is a policy clearance?
When the household reports shelter expenses for a home in which they do not currently live, it's important to clear and document the specific reason they are away, as well as certain other criteria, in order to determine whether the household is potentially eligible for THIS type of shelter deduction covered in B-654-5.
What are Shelter Expenses for an Unoccupied Home?
A money order alone would be an example of THIS.
What is insufficient verification of a required shelter expenses?
Verification of household's responsibility for utility costs, or that a household incurs heating or cooling costs in order to allow SUA, is required only if the expenses are THIS, per B-654.
What is questionable?
Households with members considered elderly or disabled receive THIS for the full monthly amount of shelter expenses which exceed 50% of the household's monthly income after the allowed deductions, per E-0230-SNAP Elderly or Disabled.
What is uncapped shelter deduction?