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• the current occupants of the home, if any, must not be claiming the shelter costs for SNAP purposes during the absence of the AG; and • AGs claiming shelter costs for unoccupied homes must verify the actual expenses to include them in the budget.

If the above stated criteria are met, shelter costs are allowable for the unoccupied home. It is possible for an AG to be eligible for shelter deductions for an occupied home and an unoccupied home during the same month(s).

However, the AG is only allowed one SUA in the budget. The SUA for either the occupied home or unoccupied home may be counted. Whichever SUA is most advantageous to the AG should be budgeted.

If the entire AG moves in the middle of a month and there are shelter expenses for two residences for the same month, the costs from both residences are allowable. However, if a member moves and the AG splits, that member who moved is not allowed the shelter expenses from the former home as a deduction. 3440.45.00 ALLOWABLE MEDICAL EXPENSES FOR SNAP (S)

This section lists allowable medical expenses and how they are used in the eligibility determination for SNAP. Medical expenses more than $35 which are incurred by AG members who are elderly (60 or over), or disabled are allowed if the expenses are not paid by Medicaid and not subject to payment by a third party. This means that if an expense is reimbursable by a third party such as health insurance, it is not an allowable expense. The difference between the amount paid by the third party and the amount of the expense is allowable. Note, in this context the Medicaid program is not a third party. For additional SNAP budgeting information, refer to Section 3440.45.05.

Special diets are not allowable medical expenses. Allowable medical expenses include the following: (f19) • Medical and dental care, including psychotherapy and rehabilitation services provided by a licensed practitioner authorized by state law or other qualified health professional; • Hospitalization or outpatient treatment, nursing care, and nursing home care. For SNAP, payments by the AG for an individual who was an AG member immediately prior to entering a hospital or nursing home provided by a facility recognized by the state are allowed. • Prescription drugs when prescribed or approved by a licensed practitioner authorized under state law and other over the counter medication (including insulin) when prescribed by a licensed practitioner or other qualified health care professional. • A medical deduction can be claimed for the cost of vitamins which are prescribed by a licensed practitioner authorized under State law and for vitamins which can be purchased over the counter when approved by a licensed practitioner or other qualified health professional. A medical expense deduction is allowed since vitamins cannot be purchased with SNAP. • The cost of postage incurred by the individual for mail-order prescriptions is also an allowable medical expense.