Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 2024
(a) The Standard
Deduction shall be that calculated by the United States Department of
Agriculture, published annually in the Federal Register pursuant to
7 CFR
273.9(d)(1), and effective
October 1 of each year.
(b) The
Shelter Deduction shall be that calculated by the United States Department of
Agriculture, published annually in the Federal Register pursuant to
7 CFR
273.9(d)(6), and effective
October 1 of each year.
(c)
Standard utility allowances have been established pursuant to
7 CFR
273.9(d)(6)(iii). A
household may qualify for one utility deduction based on household expenses
identified in
N.J.A.C.
10:87-5.10(a)5. The standard
utility allowances available to NJ SNAP households include the Heating and
Cooling Standard Utility Allowance (HCSUA), Limited Utility Allowance (LUA),
and the Uniform Telephone Allowance (UTA). Standard utility allowances are
updated annually on October 1st, and are calculated using the following
methodologies:
1. HCSUA. A standard base
period amount was established using the "Texas" methodology described in USDA
Notice No. 79-47, issued May 25, 1979, and it is updated annually for inflation
adjustments. The base period amount shall be updated annually for inflation
adjustments using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index-All
Urban Consumers for Fuels and Utilities. The current year's index for June
shall be compared to the index two years earlier to determine a percent change,
and the percent change shall be applied to the prior year's Base Period amount
to determine the annual HCSUA. Should the percent change be negative, the
previous year's HCSUA shall be utilized.
2. LUA. A base period was established using
the "Texas" methodology described in USDA Notice No. 79-47, issued May 25,
1979, and it is updated annually for inflation adjustments. The Base Period
amount shall be updated annually for inflation adjustments utilizing the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers for All
Items. The current year's index for June shall be compared to the index two
years earlier to determine a percent change, and the percent change shall be
applied to the prior year's Base Period amount to determine the annual LUA.
Should the percent change be negative, the previous year's LUA shall be
utilized.
3. UTA. A standard base
period amount was established by totaling the Verizon Telephone Company's
highest regional Flat Rate charge for New Jersey, the FCC subscriber line
charge, wire maintenance fees, and applicable Federal tax and it is updated
annually for inflation adjustments. The Base Period amount shall be updated
annually for inflation adjustments utilizing the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics' Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers for Telephone Services.
The current year's index for June shall be compared to the index two years
earlier to determine a percent change, and the percent change shall be applied
to the prior year's Base Period amount to determine the annual UTA. Should the
percent change be negative, the previous year's UTA shall be
utilized.
