An accidental overpayment does not benefit your household, because it must always be paid back. If you were overpaid benefits, you are still obligated to pay back DCF for the amount of overpayment - even if the overpayment was DCF’s error. If DCF claims that your household received more food stamps than you should have been given but you believe that you were not overpaid, you have the right to appeal the decision within ninety (90) days. Intentional Program Violation: DCF believes your or a member of your household lied, committed fraud, or intentionally misled them to gain extra SNAP benefits.

Inadvertent Household Error: The household made an error that led DCF to pay you too much.

Agency Error: DCF made an error and paid you too much money.

There are three different kinds of SNAP overpayments: You should appeal immediately upon learning your benefits have been reduced or cut off. If you did not receive written notice but your benefits have stopped or decreased, you have a right to request a Fair Hearing. If you do not ask for aid pending your appeal and you win at your Fair Hearing, you will receive benefits to compensate you for the amount you should have been receiving, up to a year.

If you lose at the Fair Hearing, you may be asked to repay the amount of benefits you received during your appeal process.

You must request an appeal WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS OF THE NOTICE in order to keep getting benefits throughout your appeal process.

This means that you will still get your full benefits until a final decision is made. If you ask for a Fair Hearing before your benefits are reduced or stopped, you may ask that your benefits continue pending your appeal. If you disagree with the decision, you must ask for a Fair Hearing within ninety (90) days of the date of the notice. Keep documentation to verify your expenses such as receipts, copies of prescriptions, and statements from your provider or a third-party familiar with the expense.įor more information, visit Florida Policy Institute’s SNAP Excess Medical Expense Deductions Toolkitīefore your SNAP benefits can be reduced or terminated, you should receive written notice from DCF, stating the reasons why this is happening.

Service animal expenses including veterinary care and food.

Medical supplies like eyeglasses, walkers, canes, dentures, incontinence supplies, hearing aids (including batteries), TTY.

Attendant aide, childcare, or housekeeping services needed because of age or disability.

Transportation or lodging to receive treatment or services.

Prescription medication, including prescribe over-the-counter medicines.

Health insurance expenses: co-pays, deductibles, premiums.

Taking advantage of this deduction lowers your counted income and therefore increases the amount of benefits the household is eligible for. If your household qualifies, all unreimbursed medical expenses over $35 will be deducted from the amount of income DCF uses to calculate your SNAP benefit amount.

Receives disability benefits like SSI or VA benefits.

The Excess Medical Expense Income Deduction is often forgotten but can make a big difference in the amount of SNAP benefits your household receives.

Court-ordered child support payments paid to non-household members.Ĭlick here for more information on SNAP income limits.

Non-reimbursable medical expenses over $35 per month for households with at least one elderly or disabled individual.Dependent care expenses when needed so that you can work or obtain education or training.These are called deductions or disregards. Direct payment energy assistance (LIHEAP) ĭCF also takes into consideration certain expenses you may have and reduces your income by those amounts.Educational assistance such as scholarships, grants, and loans.Food assistance to children (free or reduced school lunch, WIC).Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation.Social Security payments (SSI, SSDI, Retirement).Employment income for all household members over 18 years old.Households with at least one person who is elderly (age 60 or older) or disabled must have a net income less than the Federal Poverty Level. Most households must have a gross income less than or equal to twice the Federal Poverty Level. To be eligible for SNAP, your household must meet certain income limits. Net Income is the money your household receives after taxes and deductions are taken out. To figure out if you are eligible for SNAP, the government will look at either your “gross income” or your “net income.” Gross income is the money your household takes in before taxes and deductions are taken out.

Florida food stamps application pended