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.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: This rule addresses food assistance program case processing within the context of food assistance program eligibility determinations.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 414.45 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 414.31 FS.

A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: August 25, 2015, 10:00 a.m. ‒ 11:00 a.m.

PLACE: Winewood Boulevard, Building 3, Room 455, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Victor Walker, Economic Self-Sufficiency Program, [phone], 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700, [e-mail]

 

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT 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 $345 $337 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 $274 $270 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 $37 $36 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, Amended_____.