WAG 25-06-05-j: SNAP Medical Standards

USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) authorized DHS to operate the Standard Medical Deduction Demonstration Project. The demonstration project establishes two Standard Medical Deductions.

a standard for SNAP units entitled to the deduction living in the community; and

a standard for SNAP units entitled to the deduction that are residents of group homes (including CILA) .

To be eligible for a Standard Medical Deduciton, the SNAP household must contain a qualifying member (age 60 or older or disabled) and verify that they have more than $35 per month in allowable medical expenses, see PM 13-01-05-a. SNAP households whose medical expenses exceed the applicable standard for their unit may choose to use actual verified medical expenses.

The Standard Deduction for all SNAP households is reduced to offset the increased federal costs that results from applying the Standard Medical Deduction. See WAG 25-06-05-d Standard Deductions for all SNAP units.