MR #21.26: Change in SNAP Standard Medical Deduction for Community Cases

11/29/2021

Summary

Effective December 2021, this manual release implements a reduction in the SNAP Standard Medical Deduction from $200 to $185. This change is the result of the annual review of the State's Standard Medical Deduction Demonstration Project.
The new Standard Medical Deduction of $185 will be reflected in the SNAP calculations for December 2021 issuances for eligible qualifying member households, if appropriate.
SNAP benefits will be recalculated using $185 for qualifying member households with an existing medical deduction of $200. Notice of Change (Form 360C) will be mailed to the customer if a change occurs in the benefit amount.
The Standard Medical Deduction for residents of Group Homes and Supportive Living Facilities remains unchanged at $485.
A qualifying member may still use actual medical expenses instead of the Standard Medical Deduction, if their actual allowable medical expenses exceed the $185 or $485 standard, whichever is applicable.
Application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Form 683), SNAP Calculation Sheet (Form 683B) and Request for Cash Assistance - Medical Assistance - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Form 2378B) are currently being revised with the new $185 Standard Medical Deduction amount. Staff will be notified when the revised forms become available.

Standard Medical Deduction Change

As a result of the annual review of the State's Standard Medical Deduction Demonstration Project, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) determined that the Standard Medical Deduction for qualifying member SNAP households should be reduced from $200 to $185 in order to maintain cost neutrality for this project. The Standard Medical Deduction for Group Homes and Supportive Living Facilities remains unchanged at $485.
The new Standard Medical Deduction of $185 will be reflected in the SNAP calculations for December 2021 issuances for eligible qualifying member households, if appropriate. SNAP benefits will be recalculated using $185 for qualifying member households with an existing medical deduction of $200. Form 360C will be mailed to the customer if a change occurs in the benefit amount.
A qualifying member may still use actual medical expenses instead of the Standard Medical Deduction, if their actual allowable medical expenses exceed the $185 or $485 standard, whichever is applicable.

Case Comments

Document in case comments all medical expenses:
1. used to determine that the total medical expenses exceed $35 and the customer qualifies for a Standard Medical Deduction, whichever is applicable; or
2. the total medical expenses are more than the applicable Standard Medical Deduction and the customer qualifies to use their actual medical expenses.
Document in detail the medical expenses used for the medical deduction allowance so that anyone reviewing the case can determine if the eligibility determination and benefit level are accurate. Detailed documentation of the medical expenses is important because the information is manually gathered in an internal review and is used to complete the annual evaluation of this project which is required by FNS.

Form Revisions

Application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Form 683), SNAP Calculation Sheet (Form 683B), and Request for Cash Assistance - Medical Assistance - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Form 2378B) are currently being revised with the new $185 SMD amount.