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58. What is the homeless shelter/utility deduction and who gets it?
SNAP/Food stamp households who live in homeless shelters, temporarily in the home of another, or on the street are entitled to a standard homeless deduction of $143 per month in recognition of expenses for laundry, phone calls, locker fees, and other items. 106 C.M.R. § 364.400(F). This deduction is taken from net income, just like the standard deduction, and is not considered a shelter expense. The $143 amount is allowed even if your actual shelter or utility expenses are very small.
It is important that your DTA worker code your case as "homeless" so you get this deduction. See 106 C.M.R. § 360.030(D) for the definition of homeless.
Example
Paul Smith is a homeless individual who receives $400 per month in Veterans' benefits. Sometimes he stays at a shelter for adult individuals, and sometimes he is on the street. Paul gets the $141 standard deduction and the $143 homeless deduction. His net monthly income for SNAP/food stamp is $116 per month.
Advocacy Reminders
- If you are homeless and temporarily staying in a house or apartment where you pay for rent or utilities, you can get either the $143 homeless shelter deduction or the excess shelter deduction (based on your rent plus the applicable Standard Utility Allowance (SUA)), whichever is higher. See 29. What if I am homeless or live in a shelter?
- A DTA hearing officer has ruled that residents of domestic violence shelters qualify for the $143 a month homeless shelter deduction. Consult Legal Services if this question comes up.
Additional Policy Guidance on Homeless Deduction
- DTA will assume homeless household has expenses and will not require any verification of expenses for $143 deduction. Household gets full $143 regardless of its expenses. DTA Field Operations Memo 2001-18 (Mar. 30, 2001)
- Household can claim either actual shelter expenses or the $143 homeless deduction, whichever is higher. DTA Transitions (Dec. 2003)