[FOR OCT 1] Update HCUA for SNAP (Colorado)

[kbottagaro]

Update utility allowance in Colorado SNAP calculations so that all SNAP households will get the HCUA. Change will be effective October 1, 2024 (concurrently with regular SNAP income, allowances, and allotment updates).

Context: Later this year, the SNAP utility calculations are changing in a way that will increase a HH's utility allowance and thereby decrease countable income. Consistent with federal regulations, if a state agency elects to use a standard utility allowance, that allowance must be made available to HHs that received a payment under LEAP or another similar energy assistance program. Starting October 1, CDHS will issue EBT credits to HHs ($20 to help cover utilities + $1 for ATM fees) that didn't get LEAP in the prior 12 months. All eligible SNAP households will get this amount regardless of income, expenses, or HH size. The result is that all Colorado HHs will get the HCUA. The goal is to give HHs the highest possible utility deduction.
The rules will go into effect by August 1 with implementation October 1. Details are in this deck - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1LjJz-Ycx1-acefOcEJNtMxVRGfYMLEQgbRxGtEeyYgI/edit#slide=id.g2ab7e3e92af_0_134.

[kbottagaro]

As per CDHS, change will now be implemented on October 12. Maybe activate update as part of October 11 releases? (Change should not be made prior to this date.)

[sydney-devine]

@CalebPena taking this off your sprint since this isn't until Oct. Didn't realize there was a date on this til now.

[kbottagaro]

@sydney-devine @CalebPena As per my CDHS SNAP contact, implementation of the updated HCUA standard has been postponed, pending legal clarity from the federal government. Therefore, we should NOT implement and release this ticket until the state confirms an updated implementation date.