Some Families May Be Leaving SNAP Benefits on the Table Because of Utility Costs

Heating, cooling and other qualifying utility expenses can affect how some households’ SNAP benefits are calculated. Recent rule changes make accurately reporting those costs especially important during application or recertification. (Pexels).

For families stretching every grocery dollar, an electric or heating bill may seem unrelated to SNAP benefits, but the two can be closely connected. Utility expenses can affect how much income SNAP considers available for food, meaning households with significant housing costs may qualify for a larger benefit. Yet recent rule changes have made it more important for some recipients to report and document those expenses instead of assuming they will automatically be counted. Understanding the SNAP utility deduction could therefore make a meaningful difference at the grocery checkout.

Why Utility Expenses Can Change Your SNAP Benefit