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MS 6735 [1] Volume 2 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) MS 6735 – R. 5/1/26 – OMTL – 694 Worker Requirements for Acting on Changes in Medical Expenses [Households eligible for a medical deduction are encouraged to report medical expenses at the time of application, reapplication, and recertification. However, if a household voluntarily reports a change in medical expenses, it must be reported timely for a deduction to be allowed. To be considered timely, the change must be reported within the certification period in which the medical expense was incurred. Example: The household is certified from 1/1/25 through 6/30/25. The household incurs a medical expense on 4/15/25. To be considered timely, the household must report the expense before the end of the certification period (6/30/25).] A. Handle allowable medical expenses as follows if reported within the certification period: 1. Determine if the reported medical expense was incurred during the current certification period; 2. Enter the reported medical expense and any verification into the system the same day it is reported; 3. If verification is not provided, a Request for Information (RFI) is issued, allowing the household 10 days to provide the required verification; 4. If verification that would increase benefits is not provided within 10 days, the system will revert back to allowing the recipient their previously verified medical deduction. If verification, which would decrease benefits, is not provided within 10 days, the system will apply the client stated amount and take action to decrease benefits; or 5. If verification is provided within 10 days, enter the verification. The change will be effective in the next issuance. Allow the household the option to receive the entire deduction at one time (the next possible month), averaged over the remainder of the current certification period, or receive a deduction for each month an installment payment is due. B. Follow steps in item A, for handling allowable medical expenses reported at the recertification interview or within the last month of the certification period. Allow the household the option of considering the entire deduction in the first month of the new certification period, averaged over the new certification period, or receive a deduction for each month an installment payment is due. C. If the household reports an anticipated medical expense at the time of the certification, but is unable to verify, advise the household that the expense is allowed if the verification is provided during the certification period. Therefore, such reported expenses cannot be considered in the following certification period unless the verification is provided in the last month of the certification period in which the bill is reported.