The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions about implementation of CalFresh Standard Medical Expense deduction. CDSS received a waiver to implement a Standard Medical Expense deduction beginning October 1, 2017.
Elderly and/or disabled households with medical expenses over $35 per month are entitled to a CalFresh income deduction for their medical expenses. Currently, the deduction is dollar for dollar verified medical expenses over $35 per month. Effective October 1, 2017, the medical expense deduction will be a standard $120 per month when the elderly and/or disabled household has over $35 per month of medical expenses. If verified medical expenses are over $155 per month, the household will be able to deduct actual medical expenses.
Households can voluntarily report medical expense increases mid-period and the new deduction amount will be used for the remainder of the reporting period. (ACL 17-35, April 25, 2017.)