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Energy Price Spikes: Implications for Food Stamps . Roger D. Colton Fisher, Sheehan & Colton Public Finance and General Economics Belmont, MA 02478 roger@fsconline.com June 2001. The Excess Shelter Deduction. HH Food Stamp benefits based on adjusted income
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Energy Price Spikes:Implications for Food Stamps Roger D. Colton Fisher, Sheehan & Colton Public Finance and General Economics Belmont, MA 02478 roger@fsconline.com June 2001
The Excess Shelter Deduction • HH Food Stamp benefits based on adjusted income • Shelter = housing plus all utilities (including telephone) • Shelter costs over 50% of income deducted from household income for FS purposes
Why do it? • $30 - $40/month for low-income HHs • Dollar-for-dollar passthrough to feds • USDA supports and encourages • Elderly/disabled have no maximum • $250,000,000
Calculating the electric SUA • Obtain existing non-heating SUA • Calculate typical electric consumption • Determine “old” and “new” electric prices • Determine bills at old and new prices • Change SUA based on change in bill: Old SUA x (New Bill/Old Bill)
Calculating the heating SUA • Existing SUA (date last modified) • Mix of home heating fuels in state • Weighted percentage increase in heating costs (oil + gas + electric +propane) • Multiply times existing heating SUA: Old SUA x (new bill / old bill)
What needs to be done? • Update the SUA annually • Ensure HHs are reassessed
For more information roger@fsconline.com