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, 2013 the utility allowances, the standard deduction, excess shelter deduction, and adjusted gross and net monthly income eligibility standards will increase slightly. The maximum food assistance allotments and the homeless shelter deduction remain unchanged.
Below are the deduction amounts, maximum food assistance allotments, and income guidelines as of October 1, 2013.
Standard Utility Allowance
$463
Limited Utility Allowance
$311
Single Standard Utility Allowance
$68
Single Telephone Allowance
$39
Standard Deduction
$152 for an AG size of 1 - 3 persons;
$163 for an AG size of 4 persons; and
$191 for an AG size of 5 persons; and
$219 for an AG size of 6 or more persons
Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction
$478
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 | $958 |
| 2 | $1293 |
| 3 | $1628 |
| 4 | $1963 |
| 5 | $2298 |
| 6 | $2633 |
| 7 | $2968 |
| 8 | $3303 |
| each additional | +$335 |
Gross Income Standards (130% of poverty)
| AG Size | Maximum Income |
|---|
| 1 | $1245 |
| 2 | $1681 |
| 3 | $2116 |
| 4 | $2552 |
| 5 | $2987 |
| 6 | $3423 |
| 7 | $3858 |
| 8 | $4294 |
| each additional | +$436 |
Separate AG Income Standards -- Elderly and Disabled AGs Only (165% of poverty)
| AG Size | Maximum Income |
|---|
| 1 | $1580 |
| 2 | $2133 |
| 3 | $2686 |
| 4 | $3239 |
| 5 | $3791 |
| 6 | $4344 |
| 7 | $4897 |
| 8 | $5450 |
| each additional | +$553 |
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.