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256 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Section 5: Financial eligibility At application and renewal At initial application, ODHS|OHA verifies medical expenses of at least $35.01 if the individual is to receive the SMD. If an individual has verified medical expenses of at least $35.01 and less than $205.01, ODHS|OHA codes the reported amount of the monthly medical expenses. If an individual reports monthly medical expenses greater than $205, all medical expenses must be verified. If medical expenses are reported but not verified at initial application, the medical expenses will not be used in the eligibility determination. Let the individual know if verification is provided, it may increase their SNAP allotment. See the Medical Expenses EG. At renewal, medical expenses do not need to be verified and the individual’s statement is acceptable, unless the individual reports a change in their medical expenses. If a new medical expense is reported but verification is not provided, let the individual know it will not be used, However, if they provide the verification, it may increase their SNAP allotment. At both initial application and recertification, a reasonable estimate of the individual’s expenses should be used for the certification period. When current and anticipated medical expenses have been determined, ODHS|OHA averages the total over the certification period by combining current and expected medical expenses as follows: • All current medical expenses are verified. Expenses can include installment payments on a bill, as long as the installment plan arrangements were made with the creditor before the bill became past due, and the individual has not defaulted on the plan. • Any current medical insurance expenses and coverage are verified to determine the portion of each medical cost the individual is responsible to pay. • Any future medical expenses are reasonably anticipated to occur during the certification period based on the individual’s medical history. The Medical Expense Worksheet for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (DHS 0221MED) form may be used to calculate the allowable ongoing medical expenses. • For medical costs payable during the first month of certification or recertification, the client may choose to deduct each cost in the first month of certification or to average the cost over the entire certification period. For a 24 month certification period the cost would be averaged over the full 24 months, not just the first 12 months. Medical expenses reported during the certification period If an individual reports and verifies an unanticipated medical expenses they have incurred during the certification period, a deduction is allowed for the new or adjusted cost only if it is not past due or from a previous certification period. For verified, allowable medical expenses reported in the certification period individuals may choose for ODHS|OHA to do one of the following: • One-Time – Allow the entire cost as a one-time medical expense the month after it is reported, or • Average – Average the cost from the first of the month after it was reported:

Š over the remainder of the 1st 12 months of a 24 month certification period; or