PolicyEngine / PolicyEngine/policyengine-us
Encode FY2027 SNAP COLA values when USDA publishes the memo (~August 2026)
- Dominant language
- Python
- Stars
- 162
- Forks
- 212
- Avg merge
- 3d 3h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 97
Description
USDA typically publishes SNAP fiscal-year COLAs in early August (https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/allotment/COLA). When the FY2027 memo (effective 2026-10-01) is out, encode the official values following the FY2026 pattern (explicit dated values + memo reference, as in the `fy26` COLA entries):
- [ ] `parameters/gov/usda/snap/max_allotment.yaml` — explicit `2026-10-01` values per region and household size (the official numbers come from the June 2026 Thrifty Food Plan cost, so they will differ from our CPI-U-based projection)
- [ ] `parameters/gov/usda/snap/income/deductions/standard.yaml`
- [ ] `parameters/gov/usda/snap/income/deductions/excess_shelter_expense/cap.yaml`
- [ ] `parameters/gov/usda/snap/income/deductions/excess_shelter_expense/homeless/deduction.yaml`
- [ ] `parameters/gov/usda/snap/asset_test/limit.yaml` — if the memo changes the resource limits (7 U.S.C. 2014(g)(1) adjusts by CPI rounded down to the nearest $250, so they often hold flat)
- [ ] Utility allowances (`income/deductions/utility/`) — from the separate FY2027 SUA table release
- [ ] Recalibrate any tests pinning Oct–Dec 2026 / FY2027 values (including `tests/policy/baseline/partners/**`, which are gated — follow the partner-test protocol in `AGENTS.md`)
Notes:
- The minimum allotment derives from the 1-person maximum in the model, so no separate parameter update.
- While in `asset_test/limit.yaml`: its file-level `uprating: gov.usda.snap.uprating` metadata is currently inert (no `propagate_metadata_to_children`, and the values live under `standard`/`elderly_disabled` children) — the same silent-inert pattern #9059 fixes for California. Decide whether to delete it or make it live with the statutory $250-round-down; straight CPI uprating without rounding would overstate the limits.
- Until the memo lands, FY2027 values are CPI-U projections via `uprating.yaml` (see the refresh issue this one follows from).
Contributor guide
Research direction
Wait for the FY2027 USDA SNAP COLA memo and separate SUA table, then compare the FY2026 entries in parameters/gov/usda/snap/ with the listed files. Read AGENTS.md for the gated partner-test protocol and run the affected policy tests, including tests/policy/baseline/partners/**. Done means explicit 2026-10-01 values, memo references, updated utility allowances and tests, with asset limits handling the statutory $250 rounding correctly.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- python, yaml
- Domain
- backend, data
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 42/100