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SNAPCERTIFICATION MANUAL –SECTION 6000 6500 Medical Deduction 6527 Verification of Medical Expenses

6526 Changes in Medical Costs SNAP Manual 01/01/2021 Households are allowed, but not required, to report changes in actual medical costs. If the household does not voluntarily report a change in medical expenses, the change cannot be made retroactively. For example, a one-time expense is incurred in July. The household reports the expense on its annual review in October. The expense is not allowable.

Many households withmembers entitled to a medical deduction are certified for longer than twelve (12) months. One-time expenses voluntarily reported during the first twelve (12) months of an extended certification period will be allowed during the certification period. The household will determine if the expense is averaged over twelve (12) months or deducted in the month it occurred. See SNAP 6521.3.

6527 Verification ofMedical Expenses SNAP Manual 01/01/2021 At initial application and at the time or a reported change, the amount of any deductible medical expenses, including the amount of reimbursements, must be verified if the household has elected to use actual medical expenses. Verification of other factors such as allowable services provided or the entitlement of a householdmember to claim a medical expense will be required if the factor is questionable.

For households electing to claim actual medical expenses at recertification and at a reported change, previously unreportedmedical expenses and total recurring medical expenses that have changed by more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) must be verified. Medical expenses that are unchanged or changed by twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or less will not be verified unless information regarding these expenses is incomplete, inaccurate, inconsistent, or outdated. If the household declares a medical expense that must be verified but chooses not to verify it at any case action, this decision must be documented in the case record. Households that have elected the medical standard must declare that they still have at least thirty-five dollars and one cent ($35.01) in allowable medical expenses to remain eligible for it.