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MS 5410

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Volume 2 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) MS 5410 - R. 8/01/2025 – OMTL - 677 Members Eligible for Medical Deduction

Allow a deduction for medical expenses for any household member who is elderly or disabled as defined in MS 2000. Also, allow a deduction for a previous household member, if the current household is responsible for the medical bills and the household is eligible for a medical deduction. (Example: While receiving food benefits for self and spouse, the spouse passes away. The eligible recipient is responsible for any remaining bills for the deceased spouse and verifies they are being billed). Do not allow a deduction if the disabled member’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Retirement and Survivors Disability Income (RSDI) is suspended due to drug addiction or alcoholism, unless the member qualifies for the deduction based on another reason.

If a person turns age 60 during the initial month of certification, allow any medical and shelter deductions beginning that month. If the person turns age 60 later in the certification period, handle as a case change. For persons under age 60, certified for but not yet receiving disability benefits or persons currently having their entire benefit check recouped to recover a prior overpayment, consider these individuals as disabled and allow any medical deductions.

Persons receiving emergency SSI benefits based on presumptive eligibility may also be eligible for the deduction. The following are programs currently available for potentially eligible SSI recipients:

A. SSI Presumptive Disability Payments: Pays regular benefits for up to six months to persons who will likely meet SSI disability criteria. Persons in this category are considered SSI eligible by the Social Security Administration and receive a federal SSI check for the amount of the entitlement. Persons receiving this payment are eligible for the special medical/shelter deduction. If the SSI application is denied and the presumptive check is terminated, remove any considered medical expenses.

B. SSI Emergency Advance Payments: Provide a single payment to applicants who appear to meet the eligibility criteria and are considered in need of immediate assistance. Persons in this category are considered SSI eligible by SSA. Anyone receiving this payment is eligible for the special medical/shelter deduction each month until a final SSI determination is made. Once approved for SSI, the advance payment will be deducted from the current monthly benefits in up to 6 monthly installments.

C. State Interim Assistance Payments: SSI applicant households may receive temporary general assistance payments issued by a public agency pending a final determination of SSI eligibility. If such persons are later determined eligible for SSI, the agency receives a retroactive benefit check as repayment for benefits provided. These households are not considered SSI eligible during the period they receive general assistance. Persons receiving this type of payment are not eligible for the special medical/shelter deduction.