TO:	Commissioners; TA & FS Directors; WMS Coordinators; CAP Coordinators; Medical Assistance Directors, Child Support Directors

FROM:	Russell Sykes, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Employment & Transitional Supports

SUBJECT:	Food Stamp Budgeting Reminder:  Increased Standard Utility Allowances

EFFECTIVE DATE:	February 1, 2006

CONTACT PERSON:	Food Stamp Bureau (518) 473-1469

The purpose of this GIS is to remind districts that Standard Utility Allowances (SUA) will increase effective February 1, 2006.  ABEL transmittal 05-7 addresses the Food Stamp Utility Allowance increase in detail.

Beginning February 1, 2006 the following SUA amounts go into effect:

			Heating/Air Conditioning	Other Utility

	New York City	$577	$256
	Nassau & Suffolk County	$543	$238
	Rest of State	$478	$222

Telephone SUA for all counties remains unchanged at $33.