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257 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Section 5: Financial eligibility
over the remainder of the entire certification period (for both 12 and 24 month certification periods). • Installment – Allow the amount of an installment payment if the individual and creditor made an installment plan before the bill became past due and the individual has not defaulted on the loan. If the individual gets a medical bill they have not paid and it is not yet past due but due after their certification period ends, the deduction is allowed in the next certification period. Note: Allow the individual to choose which best suits their needs and what will provide the best outcome for their SNAP allotment. If unable to reach the individual to discuss the option they wish to use for verified medical expense, update the case on what is more beneficial to the household allotment, and narrate the decision. After using one of these methods to determine how much of an unanticipated medical bill changes the deduction amount for each month, ODHS|OHA staff will adjust benefits as of the month following the month the report was received. No supplement is owed for the month the change was reported or months prior to the reported change. Please refer to the Medical Expenses EG for more information. If a new medical expense is reported during the eligibility period but verification is not provided, the medical expense will not be used. It is important to let the individual know if they provide the verification, the new medical expense will be used and may increase their SNAP allotment. Medical deductions are determined prospectively, and when there is a change, the new deduction amount only prospectively affects the future. Therefore, when an individual reports a paid medical cost in the last month of their redetermination period, there is no adjustment needed. Benefits for the current month have already been issued, and prospectively, since the bill has been paid, there is no medical expense expected for the next certification period. Other resources Medical Expenses: Medical expenses are allowable deductions for SNAP and Medical Programs. This EG covers the policy for medical expenses, screen steps, and verification requirements. Dependent care expenses This deduction is allowed when the SNAP group has a cost for caring for a dependent in the filing group who requires care. The care must be necessary for the caretaker to accept or maintain employment, comply with work registration requirements, attend training/education preparing them for a job, or look for work. Dependent care expenses are not an allowable deduction when: • The expense is being paid by JOBS or SNAP E&T programs (unless there is an additional out of pocket cost to the parent, called an overage) • A foster care provider receives a reimbursement from CW for a child care expense • There is no unmet need (negative dollar amount) for a higher education student • An unemployed parent is in the home and able to provide the care.