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Correction to 2026 Basic Needs Allowance (BNA)

The BNA for 2026 is $135, a correction by $1 to the figure previously announced ($136). This means that CFH providers may charge their publicly-funded residents $1 more per month; please see the revised 2026 BNA Worksheet.

Rationale

The Division of Welfare is the official source of the BNA calculation; therefore, the Division of Licensing & Certification is making this correction. It was brought to the attention of the Division of Licensing & Certification that the BNA for Certified Family Home residents initially announced for 2026 was different from the figure subsequently published by the Division of Welfare. This occurred due to a difference in methodology used to calculate BNA. Those different methodologies had, in previous years, arrived at the same figure, but diverged in the 2026 calculation. 

Policy Guidance on Implementing the Correction to 2026 BNA

Since BNA is a minimum amount left to residents (not a maximum amount), providers who left their residents $136 or more per month for personal spending, as previously announced, are not obligated to adjust their admission agreements to align with the corrected amount. Providers who were charging the maximum amount and who opt to continue doing so must give a 30-day written notice to the resident or resident representative in accordance with IDAPA 16.03.19.260.04.m. The department is allowing such providers to collect $3 extra from their residents in March 2026 to cover the three months (January, February, and March 2026) affected by the discrepancy. Providers must not retroactively charge residents for the $3 discrepancy beyond March 2026.