While most Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility parameters are set at the federal level, states may establish their own standard utility allowances (SUAs) which are part of the excess shelter expense deduction. The use of SUAs, including heating and cooling SUAs (HCSUAs) for households with heating and cooling expenses, simplifies the application process for both the applicant and the state agency. However, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has found some variation between established HCSUA values and household utility expenses in some states.

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  Updating Standardized State Heating and Cooling Utility Allowance Values
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