Effective April 1, 2012

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). In October, Ohio obtained an extension to allow our standard utility allowance, the limited utility allowance, the single utility allowance and single telephone allowance to remain at the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2011 amounts through March 31, 2012 at which time the extension expires and we must implement the proposed FFY 2012 amounts.

New policy: As of April 1, 2012 the standard utility allowances will decrease. The standard deduction, excess shelter deduction, adjusted gross net monthly income eligibility standards, the maximum food assistance allotments and the homeless shelter deduction remain the same as set forth in FACT No. 43.

Below are the new utility allowances as of April 1, 2012.

Standard Utility Allowance

$533

Limited Utility Allowance

$297

Single Standard Utility Allowance

$65

Single Telephone Allowance

$36

Implementation: The changes for the new utility allowances will be implemented via a mass change on the weekend of February 18, 2012. Alerts will be generated and an exception report will be created 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 benefit amount.