EFFECTIVE October 1, 2010
Previous Policy: The standard utility allowance, limited utility allowance, single standard utility allowance, the single standard telephone allowance, excess shelter deduction, maximum monthly 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 subject to change each October to reflect any cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
New policy: As of October 1, 2010 the standard utility allowances, standard deduction for assistance groups with three or less people and the excess shelter deduction will change. The adjusted gross and net monthly income eligibility standards, maximum food assistance allotments, homeless shelter deduction and standard deductions for assistance groups with four or more people have not changed.
Below are the deduction amounts, maximum food assistance allotments and income guidelines as of October 1, 2010.
Standard Utility Allowance
$599
|
Limited Utility Allowance
$364
|
Single Standard Utility Allowance
$82
|
Single Telephone Allowance
$37
|
Standard Deduction
$142 for an AG size of 1 - 3 persons;
$153 for an AG size of 4 persons; and
$179 for an AG size of 5 persons; and
$205 for an AG size of 6 or more persons
Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction
$458
Maximum Food Assistance Allotments
| AG Size | Maximum Allotment |
|---|
| 1 | $200 |
| 2 | 367 |
| 3 | 526 |
| 4 | 668 |
| 5 | 793 |
| 6 | 952 |
| 7 | 1052 |
| 8 | 1202 |
| each additional | +150 |
Net Income Standards (100% of poverty)
| AG Size | Maximum Income |
|---|
| 1 | $903 |
| 2 | 1215 |
| 3 | 1526 |
| 4 | 1838 |
| 5 | 2150 |
| 6 | 2461 |
| 7 | 2773 |
| 8 | 3085 |
| each additional | +312 |
Gross Income Standards (130% of poverty)
| AG Size | Maximum Income |
|---|
| 1 | $1174 |
| 2 | 1579 |
| 3 | 1984 |
| 4 | 2389 |
| 5 | 2794 |
| 6 | 3200 |
| 7 | 3605 |
| 8 | 4010 |
| each additional | +406 |
Separate AG Income Standards -- Elderly and Disabled AGs Only (165% of poverty)
| AG Size | Maximum Income |
|---|
| 1 | $1490 |
| 2 | 2004 |
| 3 | 2518 |
| 4 | 3032 |
| 5 | 3547 |
| 6 | 4061 |
| 7 | 4575 |
| 8 | 5089 |
| each additional | +515 |
Implementation: The increase in the utility allowances, the standard deduction and the decrease in the excess shelter deduction will be implemented via a mass change on Labor Day weekend. Alerts will be generated for all cases which CRIS-E cannot update automatically and the eligibility worker will be required to run ED/BC for those cases to implement these changes. Each assistance group affected by this change will also receive a notice providing their new amount of benefits.