Table J: Shelter Treatment (FSM)

SHELTER TYPE & DESCRIPTION

TREATMENT

VERIFICATION

Privately Owned Home

Individual pays at least some of allowable housing expenses.

• If payment is made to an absent spouse: see Rental.

• If no payment is made: see Provided Shelter.

Allow expenses such as mortgage, lot rent, mandatory condominium fees, taxes, homeowner’s insurance (on the structure only).

Documentation proving ownership:

• copy of mortgage or deed;

• mortgage statements or receipts;

• taxes, insurance, etc.; or

• statement from attorney, lending institution, individual who shares liability, etc., giving extent of liability.

Rental (private)

Individual agrees verbally or in writing to a fixed payment to live in a home or apartment.

 Allow actual amount charged.

Name of the individual liable for rent, amount of rent, rental period, address, number living in unit, date of tenancy, or BFA Form 775 completed.

Conventional Public Housing

HUD administered, managed locally.

Allow the standard rent amount charged before any deductions for separate utility costs.

Same as for rental.

HUD 236 Housing

Subsidized construction, with basic rent charge.

Treat the same as rental.

Same as for rental.

Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8)

Federal government pays all or a portion of the rent; household pays a portion of the rent based on a percentage of the household’s income.

Allow Net Family Contribution (NFC) or Tenant Payment (TP).

Verify:

• Housing or rent subsidy type; and

• NFC/TP if deep subsidy.

Shared Expenses

Housing unit shared with others.

Allow household’s shelter share.

A signed and dated explanation from the person providing or sharing the shelter, explaining the arrangement and costs, or a completed BFA Form 768, Shared Shelter Arrangements.

Roomer

Lodging only.

Treat the same as rental.

Same as for shared expenses.

Boarder

Lodging and Meals

No shelter allowance given.

No verification needed. Boarders are not eligible to participate in SNAP.

Households Containing a Boarder

Any shelter type with a boarder in the household.

Treat the same as the appropriate type of shelter. Do not include the boarder as a household member.

Exception: Consider the boarder a member of the household if:

• the household requests that the boarder be included; or

• the boarder pays less than the SNAP allotment for one (See Section 211.09, Who May Be Members).

Same as the appropriate type of shelter.

Provided Shelter

Shelter costs provided at no charge or paid for by someone outside the assistance group.

No shelter allowance given.

Statement from individual providing shelter as to the arrangement.

Households Containing an Excluded Member

Any shelter type with an excluded member in the household

Prorate shelter expenses. (See Part 611.05, Income of Disqualified and Excluded Individuals, for proration procedures.)

Same as the appropriate type of shelter.

Town/City Welfare Pays for Shelter

Shelter expense is paid by the town or city on behalf of an individual.

Reduce the shelter cost by the amount paid by the town/city welfare agency in the month of application.

For subsequent months, reinstate the actual shelter cost and treat the same as rental.

Exception: If the town/city welfare agency states that it intends to pay a client’s rent, or portion of the rent, on an on-going basis, the shelter cost is reduced by the amount of the assistance for the specified time period.

Same as for rental.

Group Living Arrangements

If the household is charged for room and board as separately identifiable charges, allow only the room portion as a shelter expense.

If the household is charged a flat rate for combined room and meals, subtract the maximum SNAP allotment for the household size and allow the remainder as a shelter expense.

Statement/invoice from the group living arrangement showing individual responsible for charges and amount of room charge