FACT 61 (October 1, 2018 Mass Change)
Food Assistance Change Transmittal No. 61
September 5, 2018
TO: Food Assistance Certification Handbook Holders
FROM: Cynthia C. Dungey, Director
SUBJECT: October 1, 2018 Mass Change

Previous Policy: Pursuant to provisions of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provides States with annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  The standard utility allowance, limited utility allowance, single standard utility allowance, single standard telephone allowance, excess shelter deduction, maximum monthly SNAP allotments, net income standards (100% of poverty), gross income standards (130% of poverty), and separate assistance group standards for elderly and disabled assistance groups only (165% of poverty) are all subject to change based on the annual adjustments the State receives from FNS.

New policy: For federal fiscal year 2019, which begins on October 1, 2018, FNS has determined that the maximum monthly allotments will increase. Additionally, the deduction amounts and income guidelines have been adjusted and are listed below.  Except for the telephone allowance, which has stayed the same, all of the utility allowances have increased. The following deductions are increasing effective October 1, 2018: (a) the standard deduction; (b) excess shelter deduction; and (c) the gross income standard, net income standard, and separate assistance group standards for elderly and disabled assistance groups eligibility standards. The homeless shelter deduction is unchanged.

Standard Utility Allowance

$544

Limited Utility Allowance

$351

Single Standard Utility Allowance

$78

Single Telephone Allowance

$39

Standard Deduction

$164 for an AG size of 1 - 3 persons;

$174 for an AG size of 4 persons; and

$204 for an AG size of 5 persons; and

$234 for an AG size of 6 or more persons

Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction

$552

Maximum Food Assistance Allotments

AG Size Maximum Allotment
1 $192
2 $353
3 $505
4 $642
5 $762
6 $914
7 $1011
8 $1155
each additional +$144
Minimum Allotment $15

Net Income Standards (100% of poverty)

AG Size Maximum Income
1 $1012
2 $1372
3 $1732
4 $2092
5 $2452
6 $2812
7 $3172
8 $3532
each additional +$360

Gross Income Standards (130% of poverty)

AG Size Maximum Income
1 $1316
2 $1784
3 $2252
4 $2720
5 $3188
6 $3656
7 $4124
8 $4592
each additional +$468

Separate AG Income Standards -- Elderly and Disabled AGs Only (165% of poverty)

AG Size Maximum Income
1 $1670
2 $2264
3 $2858
4 $3452
5 $4046
6 $4640
7 $5234
8 $5828
each additional +$594

Implementation: The changes for the deductions and income guidelines will be implemented via a mass change in Ohio Benefits.  An exception report will be created for all cases which Ohio Benefits cannot update automatically.  The eligibility worker will be required to run the Eligibility Determination/Benefit Calculation (ED/BC), then save and accept the results for those cases to implement these changes.  Each assistance group affected by this change will receive a notice with the new amount of benefits they will receive.