Effective October 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).
New policy: As of October 1, 2012 the standard deduction, excess shelter deduction, the adjusted gross and net monthly income eligibility standards and the separate standards for the elderly and disabled assistance groups will increase slightly. The maximum food assistance allotments and the homeless shelter deduction have not changed. The utility allowances have not changed at this time. The Office of Family Assistance is awaiting approval from the United States Department of Agriculture - Food Nutrition Service for the federal fiscal year 2013 utility allowances. As a result, the federal fiscal year 2012 amounts will continue until further guidance is provided for federal fiscal year 2013.
Below are the deduction amounts, maximum food assistance allotments and income guidelines as of October 1, 2012.
Standard Utility Allowance
$533
Limited Utility Allowance
$297
Single Standard Utility Allowance
$65
Single Telephone Allowance
$36
Standard Deduction
$149 for an AG size of 1 - 3 persons;
$160 for an AG size of 4 persons; and
$187 for an AG size of 5 persons; and
$214 for an AG size of 6 or more persons
Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction
$469
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 |
| Minimum Allotment | 16 |
Net Income Standards (100% of poverty)
| AG Size | Maximum Income |
|---|
| 1 | $931 |
| 2 | 1261 |
| 3 | 1591 |
| 4 | 1921 |
| 5 | 2251 |
| 6 | 2581 |
| 7 | 2911 |
| 8 | 3241 |
| each additional | +330 |
Gross Income Standards (130% of poverty)
| AG Size | Maximum Income |
|---|
| 1 | $1211 |
| 2 | 1640 |
| 3 | 2069 |
| 4 | 2498 |
| 5 | 2927 |
| 6 | 3356 |
| 7 | 3785 |
| 8 | 4214 |
| each additional | +429 |
Separate AG Income Standards -- Elderly and Disabled AGs Only (165% of poverty)
| AG Size | Maximum Income |
|---|
| 1 | $1536 |
| 2 | 2081 |
| 3 | 2625 |
| 4 | 3170 |
| 5 | 3714 |
| 6 | 4259 |
| 7 | 4803 |
| 8 | 5348 |
| each additional | +545 |
Implementation: The changes for the deductions and income guidelines will be implemented via a mass change on Labor Day weekend. 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 amount of benefits.