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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 4

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 68 Chapter 4 Income

Homeless Shelter Deduction Example 1: A homeless family applies for SNAP. They have been living in their car until the Department of Human Services (DOHS) paid for them to stay in a motel for a week. Now they reside at a homeless shelter. This family does not qualify for the deduction because none of its own money was used for shelter. Homeless Shelter Deduction Example 2: A family becomes homeless while participating in SNAP. They are living first with one relative and then another, paying a token amount for their keep. This family qualifies for the deduction because it has incurred expenses for shelter. If the AG incurs, shelter and/or utility costs in excess of the Homeless Shelter Standard Deduction amount, the AG may use the actual shelter and/or the appropriate utility standard, if eligible. An AG must not receive the homeless shelter standard deduction and either a deduction for actual shelter costs and/or the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) in the same month. See Shelter/Utility Deduction below for allowable expenses. 4.4.2.B.6 Medical Expenses Medical expenses in excess of $35 must be allowed as a medical deduction for AG members who are elderly, which is at least age 60, or disabled, as defined in Section 13.15. Once the medical expenses of all such AG members have been totaled, the amount of the total in excess of $35 is used as a medical deduction. Thirty-five dollars ($35) is deducted from the total amount of expenses for the AG, not $35 from each person's expenses. There is no maximum dollar limit for a medical deduction. NOTE: If all avenues of verification have been exhausted and the homeless individual is unable to provide the agency with this information, client attestation with all necessary information is acceptable. This information should be documented in writing with the individual’s signature as well as documented in the case record.