The proposed rule amendment amends the standard utility allowance, the basic utility allowance and the telephone standard.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Economic Self-Sufficiency Program

Rule No.: RULE TITLE
65A-1.603: Food Assistance Program Income and Expenses
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule amendment amends the standard utility allowance, the basic utility allowance and the telephone standard.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment increases the utility allowances.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
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.
SPECIFIC 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: September 28, 2010, 10:30 a.m.
PLACE: 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Building 2, Room 204-V, Tallahassee, Florida 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 7 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Cindy Keil. 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: Cindy Keil, ACCESS Florida Program Policy, 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Building 3, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700, [e-mail], [phone]

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 $340 $317 must be used by AGs who incur or within the certification 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 $279 $258 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 $35 $32 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.

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,________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Nathan Lewis
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: George H. Sheldon
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 6, 2010
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: July 30, 2010