Expenses of a medically necessary service animal

A description of service animals is described in WAC 388-473-0040 food for service animals as an ongoing additional requirements. Although this section describes when to authorize food for services animals of an SSI or TANF recipient, it can also be used as a guideline when determining if expenses related to a service animal can be used as a medical expense.

In order for expenses related to a service animal to be used as a medical expense:

Consult CARE and the client's social service specialist/case manager as to whether the service animal is medically necessary. If the social service specialist is unable to determine if the service animal is medically necessary get a statement by the client's physician/practitioner as to why the expense is medically necessary.

The service animal must be performing a task that is necessary for the health and safety of the individual.

For LTC recipients with service animals that are on SSI, consider food for service animals as an ongoing additional requirement . If authorized, do not allow the food as a medical expense to reduce participation.