FYI: Food Stamp Medical Deductions Job Aid

The Food Stamp Medical Deductions Job Aid was designed to be a tool to assist AU Managers in identifying eligible medical expense deductions. This new job aid, developed by the Food Stamp Unit, is posted in Policy Online under the Job Aids heading.

Verified medical expenses that exceed $35 a month are allowed for elderly and disabled applicants and recipients. Claiming medical expense deductions can increase the amount of food stamp ben- efits. Allowable expenses include not only prescriptions and doc- tor office visits, but many other medical expenses, such as over-the counter medications, hearing aids, eyeglasses, dentures, sickroom equipment, health insurance and hospitalization policy premiums, and more.

AU Managers must make every effort to explore possible medical expense deductions with their elderly and disabled clients to maxi- mize food stamp benefits for this most vulnerable group. AU Managers must also assist applicants and recipients in obtaining the necessary verifications of these deductions, if they are having difficulty or request assistance.