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Division/Section Family Support 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 September 1, 2026

21 of 22 • Do not deduct expenses paid by vendor payment except for vendor payments made as part of legally obligated child support. (See B-656-SNAP.) o Example 1: The absent parent pays the client’s $500 mortgage directly to the mortgage company instead of paying the agreed upon $500 voluntary child support to the client. Since there is no court order for the child support and the client’s mortgage is being paid through the absent parent’s vendor payments, the mortgage expense is not an allowable shelter deduction. o Example 2: The absent parent is court-ordered to pay $500 child support to the client. Instead of giving the money to the client, he pays her $500 mortgage directly to the mortgage company. Since the absent parent is court-ordered to pay child support of $500 to the client, the mortgage payment is diverted income and must be counted as income to the client. The mortgage expense is an allowable shelter deduction.

• Deduct expenses only in the month the expense is billed or becomes due, regardless of when the household intends to pay it. Do not deduct past-due balances and late charges. Arrearages in child support payments are allowable for certain households eligible for a child support deduction. (See B-656-SNAP).

EXCEPTION: When a household pays an expense in advance, the deductible amount is the amount that would otherwise be due. Typically, this would be the monthly obligation. The entire pre-payment must not be deducted at one time.

• Expenses will not be deductible if the service is provided by a member of the same SNAP household.

• Do not allow deductions for work-related expenses for individuals who are not self-employed.

• Refer to E-220-SNAP for deductions of disqualified members.

III. FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS

OFS 85 Form / Instructions Child Care Expense Verification

IV. REFERENCES

7CFR 273.9(d)

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August 13, 2025 USDA-FNA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) All State Agency Memos - Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs)