The proposed rule amendment increases the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) and the Telephone Standard according to federally mandated annual adjustments. A statement has been added regarding the use of child support payments paid out being a ...

Notice of Proposed Rule

 

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

Economic Self-Sufficiency Program

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

65A-1.603Food Assistance Program Income and Expenses

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule amendment increases the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) and the Telephone Standard according to federally mandated annual adjustments. A statement has been added regarding the use of child support payments paid out being a deduction in the food assistance benefit budget.

SUMMARY: SUMMARY: The amendment increases Food Assistance Program Standard Utility Allowance and Telephone Standard, and child support payments paid out are used as a deduction in the food assistance budget.

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 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 agregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been preparted by the Agency.

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: 402.82, 414.31, 141.32 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: September 10, 2014, 11:00 a.m., EST

PLACE: 1317 Winewood Blvd., Bldg. 3, Room 455, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700

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 2 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Bob Hoelzle, Economic Self-Sufficiency Program, [phone], 1317 Winewood Blvd., Bldg. 3, Rm. 419, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700, [e-mail]. 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: Bob Hoelzle, Economic Self-Sufficiency Program, [phone], 1317 Winewood Blvd., Bldg. 3, Rm. 419, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700, [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

65A-1.603 Food Assistance Program Income and Expenses.

(1) No change.

(2) Standard Utility Allowance. A standard utility allowance (SUA) of $337 $335 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) No change.

(4) Telephone Standard. A telephone standard of $36 $33 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) No change.

(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,___________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Dianna Laffey

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 7, 2014

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: July 9, 2014