Section 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 (AGs) food assistance benefits. The benefit reduction is rounded up to the next whole dollar.(2) Standard Utility Allowance. A standard utility allowance (SUA) of $426 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 $340 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 $49 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 $180 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.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 65A-1.603
Rulemaking Authority 414.45 FS. Law Implemented 414.31 FS.
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, Amended by Florida Register Volume 40, Number 224, November 18, 2014 effective 11/30/2014, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 012, January 20, 2016 effective 1/31/2016, Amended by Florida Register Volume 43, Number 100, May 23, 2017 effective 6/6/2017, Amended by Florida Register Volume 44, Number 055, March 20, 2018 effective 4/4/2018, Amended by Florida Register Volume 44, Number 148, July 31, 2018 effective 8/15/2018, Amended by Florida Register Volume 45, Number 225, November 19, 2019 effective 12/3/2019, Amended by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 220, November 10, 2020 effective 11/25/2020, Amended by Florida Register Volume 49, Number 015, January 24, 2023 effective 2/6/2023, Amended by Florida Register Volume 50, Number 015, January 23, 2024 effective 2/7/2024.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, 1-31-16, 6-6-17, 4-4-18, 8-15-18, 12-3-19, 11-25-20, 1-9-22, 2-6-23, 2-7-24.