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Page | 188 The household must be expected to pay the expense before a deduction can be allowed.

An exclusion is allowed for legally obligated child support paid to or for an individual who is not residing with the payer. The payment is allowed as an exclusion from gross income when paid, regardless of whether the payment is for current support or arrearages. If the payment is made to an individual or agency outside of the household for a child in the payer’s household, the payment may be allowed. This allows a child support exclusion if the child moves in and out of the household or if arrearages are being paid to an outside agency, usually the Division of Child Support (DCS).

10210 MEDICAL DEDUCTIONS FOR PERSONS OVER AGE 60 OR PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY

In some instances, a deduction is allowed for certain household's medical expenses. To qualify as a deduction, the expense must be incurred by a household member who is a person over age 60 (elderly) or a person with a disability (disabled). The person with a disability must meet the definition of a disabled person. Spouses or other household members receiving benefits as a dependent of SSI or Social Security disability recipient are not entitled to this deduction.

Only the portion of non-reimbursable medical expenses that exceeds $35 per month for an eligible household member is allowed. The $35 applies to all eligible combined expenses for the household. If there are two or more eligible household members, all allowable medical expenses for those members are added, and then $35 is deducted.

If the household’s allowed medical expenses are at least $36 and less than $201, the household will receive a standard medical expense of $200. (The $200 is before the $35 disregard thus the actual medical deduction is $165.)

Households with allowed medical expenses greater than $200 will receive a deduction for actual expenses, less the $35 disregard, unless they opt for the $200 standard medical expense.

Medical Expense Amount Allowable Deduction Less than $35 No deduction is allowed At least $36, but less than $201 A standard deduction of $165 is allowed Greater than $200 $35 is subtracted and the difference is allowed

The household may choose to report changes in medical expenses during the certification period; however, they are not required to do so. Example: John’s rent is $100 a month. A $100 a month rent deduction is allowed even though John hasn’t paid any rent for the last few months because John is billed for the amount and the landlord expects him to pay his rent. Example: John and Jane are both 65. John has allowable medical expenses of $100 and Jane has allowable medical expenses of $235.00. The $100 and $235 amounts are entered on ACCESS, but the amount used in the eligibility and benefit calculation is $300 ($335 - $35). If John had $25 and Jane had $35, the amount used in the eligibility and benefit calculation is $200. ACCESS FMED panels will have the $25 and $35 entered but the third screen of eligibility will show $165 ($200 – $35).