Department is amending the rule text to change the standard amount of the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA), Basic Utility Allowance (BUA) and Telephone Standard.

 

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Economic Self-Sufficiency Program

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

65A-1.603Food Assistance Program Income and Expenses

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Department is amending the rule text to change the standard amount of the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA), Basic Utility Allowance (BUA) and Telephone Standard.

SUMMARY: This rule addresses food assistance program case processing within the context of food assistance program eligibility determinations.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The Department considered the factors in Section 120.541, F.S. The proposed rule is not expected to exceed the criteria in paragraph 120.541(2)(a), F.S., therefore, legislative ratification is not required under subsection 120.541(3), F.S.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 414.45 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 414.31, FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW (IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):

DATE AND TIME: March 10, 2017, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

PLACE: 1317 Winewood Boulevard Building 3 Room 455 Tallahassee, Fla 32399

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 7 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Victor Walker. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Victor Walker Economic Self-Sufficiency Program, [phone], 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700, [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

65A-1.603 Food Assistance Program Income and Expenses.

(1) Rounding Income and Expenses. With the exception of the benefit reduction, cents resulting from budget calculations are retained at each level in determining the assistance group’s (AG’s) food assistance benefits. The benefit reduction is rounded up to the next whole dollar.

(2) Standard Utility Allowance. A standard utility allowance (SUA) of $338 $345 must be used by AGs who incur, or within the eligibility period expect to incur, heating or cooling expenses separate and apart from their rent or mortgage and by AGs who receive direct or indirect assistance authorized under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981. Actual utility expenses are not allowed. Any additional utility expenses, including the telephone standard, are not used.

(3) Basic Utility Allowance. A basic utility allowance (BUA) of $270 $274 must be used by AGs who do not incur heating or cooling expenses, but do incur utility expenses such as electricity, fuel, water, sewerage, or garbage pickup, separate and apart from their rent or mortgage. Actual utility expenses are not allowed. Any additional utility expenses, including the telephone standard, are not used.

(4) Telephone Standard. A telephone standard of $39 $37 must be used by AGs who incur only a telephone expense. Actual telephone expenses are not allowed. Any additional utility expenses, including the SUA or BUA, are not used.

(5) Homeless Shelter Deduction. A homeless shelter deduction of $143 must be used by homeless AGs who do not receive free shelter throughout the month and incur or expect to incur shelter expenses unless higher expenses are claimed.

(6) Child Support Paid Out. Legally obligated child support payments are a deduction for the Food Assistance Program.

Rulemaking Authority 414.45 FS. Law Implemented 414.31 FS. History–New 1-31-94, Formerly 10C-1.603, Amended 1-12-99, 5-25-03, 8-22-05, 2-17-09, 12-13-09, 11-1-10, 12-25-11, 10-16-12, 8-11-13, 11-30-14, 1-31-16,______.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Susan Thomas

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Mike Carroll

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 02, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 02, 2016