Changes are coming to the Standard Utility Allowance, (SUA), used in SNAP budgets.
If your SNAP household has received any LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) assistance, your budget includes an SUA. This expense significantly affects your SNAP allotment. You could see a sizeable deduction if the SUA were removed.
The “Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law July 4, 2025 contains the following,
(Sec. 10004) This section limits the availability of the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) for determining SNAP income eligibility. Specifically, only households that include an elderly or disabled member may be considered automatically eligible for the SUA. This eligibility is based on participation in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or a similar energy assistance program.
As background, when determining a household’s eligibility for SNAP, states consider the total shelter costs for a household, including the cost of utilities. States can use SUAs, which are standard amounts that represent low-income household utility costs in the state or local area. Currently, all LIHEAP participants who receive a minimum benefit are eligible for the SUA for determining SNAP income eligibility.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1
If your SNAP household includes a disabled person, as determined by Social Security, you will not have to provide verification. The same applies if your household includes an elderly person. You can keep your SUA without additional verification. If it does not, you will have to provide utility bills. This is necessary to show that your household qualifies for the SUA. You may still qualify for the SUA but now you will have one more verification to provide. Your state workers should help you provide verifications. However, ultimately it is your responsibility to provide them when requested.
As always, knowledge is power. Hopefully this information will help you to make sure you get the assistance you should.
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