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SNAPCERTIFICATION MANUAL –SECTION 6000 6500 Medical Deduction Medical Deduction

6500 Medical Deduction

SNAP Manual 01/01/2021 Allowable medical costs listed in SNAP 6510 incurred by a person aged sixty (60) or older or individuals living with a disability are deductible. See the Glossary definition of “Aged or Disabled.” Only allowable medical costs in excess of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) per month are deductible. The thirty-five dollars ($35.00) per month disregard applies to the entire household and not individual members.

Households with an eligible individual may choose to verify actual medical expenses or elect a medical standard deduction when an aged or disabled household member incurs at least thirty-five dollars and one cent ($35.01) per month in allowable medical expenses and provides verification of the expenses. See SNAP 6520. This is a household standard and not an individual standard. One (1) medical standard deduction per household is allowed. The individual will remain eligible at each subsequent case action for the standard medical deduction if he or she attests on the application, to medical expenses that exceed thirty-fivedollars($35.00) per month. An attestation is a verbal statement, written statement, or appropriate response to a question supplied on a form. No further verification is required. Each household member is evaluated individually for entitlement to the medical deduction. The spouse of a person aged sixty (60) or older or individuals living with a disability are not entitled to a medical deduction unless they are also an eligible individual. The medical expenses of household members receiving benefits as dependents of a Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, or Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) recipient are not deductible, unless the dependent is also an eligible individual. Entitlement to a medical deduction begins either in the month that an individual turns age sixty (60) or in the month that a disabled individual begins receiving a disability payment or Medicaid benefits.

A medical expense incurred for an eligible individual who was a household member immediately before entering a hospital or nursing home is allowable if the household is responsible for the bills. This also applies to medical expenses incurred for an eligible household who was a household member at the time of his or her death. This includes eligible individuals who die while in a hospital or nursing home if they were a household member immediately before entering the hospital or nursing home. Households may be assigned a certification period longer than twelve (12) months if all members are eligible for SNAP and each member is a person aged sixty (60) or older or individuals living with a disability.