Page 10

Division/Section Economic Stability Chapter No./Name 4 – Economic Independence (EI) Part No./Name B – Eligibility Factors Section No./Name B-600-FITAP-SNAP Income Document No./Name B-650-SNAP Deductions Effective Date June 1, 2026

10 of 22 If the client reports caretaker costs that could qualify under both dependent care and medical deductions, the household must be allowed a deduction of either dependent care or medical expense, but not both. The worker will make a determination on which expense would be more advantageous to the household. The determination must be documented in LITE.

B-656-SNAP - PO CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS

Court ordered child support payments made by a household member will be allowed as a deduction when determining net income eligibility and benefit level. Child support payments may be allowed as a deduction in the following instances:

• Allow a child support deduction for household members who make legally obligated child support payments to an individual living outside of the household.

• Neither the child’s age nor where the child lives is a consideration when determining eligibility for a child support deduction.

• Allow the deduction only for persons who have a legal obligation such as a court order that would be upheld by a judge in a court of law, an order issued through an administrative process, or a legally enforceable separation agreement.

• Allow the deduction, up to the value of the legally obligated child support amount, whether paid directly to the child support payee or as a vendor payment. The child support deduction must reflect the child support the household actually pays not to exceed the obligated amount.

• Allow a deduction for amounts paid toward arrearages. If the household member remains legally obligated to pay only arrearages after the child reaches age 18, allow the deduction if payments are actually made. The age of the child and where he lives are not a consideration when determining eligibility for a child support deduction. Arrearages collected through intercepts by IV-D, such as state and federal income tax refunds, lottery winnings, and casino winnings are not allowable in the child support deduction.

• Consider legally obligated payments paid on behalf of the non-household member (vendor payments) such as paying rent to a landlord, as part of the child support deduction for the household making the payments. This includes any payments the noncustodial parent is legally obligated to make to obtain health insurance coverage for a child or children. Vendor payments may be either specifically ordered by a court or administrative authority as part of the legally obligated amount or made part of the total legally obligated amount by a personal agreement between the parents.

EXAMPLE: If the court order specifies that the client pay $200.00 per month child support and $300.00 monthly to the landlord for the custodial parent's rent, allow a total of $500.00 as a deduction.