Receiving SNAP? These Medical Expenses Could Help Older Americans Qualify for More Food Benefits

Older Americans receiving SNAP may qualify to deduct eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses above $35 per month, potentially increasing their food benefits. Prescription costs, Medicare premiums, dental care, and certain medical transportation expenses may count under applicable rules – Shutterstock

A prescription refill, a pair of hearing aids, and a trip to a medical appointment can quietly drain a retiree’s budget. Yet some of those expenses may also help older Americans qualify for more money through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The catch lies in a detail many recipients overlook: SNAP can account for certain out-of-pocket medical expenses when it calculates benefits for eligible older adults. That can include costs beyond doctor visits and prescriptions, although specific rules determine what qualifies and how much a household can deduct.