Page 301

SNAPCERTIFICATION MANUAL –SECTION 6000 6500 Medical Deduction 6550 Child Support Deductions

• The figures used in the calculation of the medical deduction; Identify any averaged expenses and indicate the figures used to calculate the averaged expense. Also identify monthly and periodically incurred expenses and indicate why they were allowed. For example, attaching copies of bills that were used as an indication of medical expenses that the household expects to continue through the period of certification. • Also verify the fact that the household chooses not to verify medical expensesor to delay verification until after certification, if this option is chosen.

6550Child SupportDeductions SNAP Manual 01/01/2021

A deduction will be allowed for legally obligated child support payments made by a household member to an individual who is not a household member. A legal obligation may be a court order that has been upheld by a judge in a court of law, an order issued through an administrative process, or a legally enforceable separation agreement. Amounts paid out of the household’s current income to make up for months in which the household did not meet its child support obligation will be deductible. Payments for child support arrearages will be allowed only if the household was legally obligated to pay the amount in arrears. The value of legally binding child support that is provided in- kind, such as payment of rent directly to the landlord, will be deductible. Payments a non-custodial parent is legally obligated to make to obtain health insurance coverage for a child or children are deductible. This also includes dental insurance, cancer insurance, or intensive care insurance if the parent is legally obligated to furnish this coverage. When the child is coveredon a family plan and the amount paid per person cannot be determined, divide the total premium by the number of people covered. Only the portion paid to maintain coverage for a child or children under the terms of the legal obligation will be counted

Payments for alimony are not deductible. Child support payments made voluntarily are not deductible. This includes milk and diapers purchased for a child unless the parent is legally obligated to make these purchases. Child support payments for a child who is included in the SNAP household are deductible if the parent is legally obligated to pay child support and it is paid to someone living outside of the household. Child support payments that are above and beyond the obligated amount are not deductible. Child support intercepted from a state or federal income tax refund is not deductible.