What Bills Count for Food Stamps in Michigan: A Clear Guide for Families

Are you wondering what bills count for food stamps in Michigan? It’s a common question for many families trying to make ends meet. Understanding which of your household expenses can be considered when applying for food stamps, also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), can make a big difference in the amount of help you receive. This article will break down the different types of bills that Michigan’s SNAP program looks at, helping you better understand your eligibility and potential benefits.

Understanding Expense Deductions for SNAP

When you apply for food stamps in Michigan, the state looks at your income, but they also consider certain expenses you pay regularly. These expenses can actually help reduce your “countable” income, which might mean you qualify for more benefits. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) uses these deductions to get a more accurate picture of your household’s financial situation after essential bills are paid.

Shelter Costs: Your Home’s Bills

One of the biggest categories of expenses that count for food stamps is shelter costs. This means the money you pay to keep a roof over your head. It’s a crucial part of your budget, and SNAP understands that.

Here are some of the shelter costs that can be considered:

• Rent payments (if you rent your home)
• Mortgage payments (if you own your home)
• Property taxes (if you own)
• Homeowner’s insurance (if you own and pay separately)

Even if you live in subsidized housing and pay less, your portion of the rent still counts. This deduction helps ensure that essential housing costs don’t prevent families from getting enough to eat.

It’s important to keep records of these payments, like rent receipts or mortgage statements, as MDHHS may ask for proof. These costs are a big factor in calculating what’s called the “excess shelter deduction,” which we’ll talk about more later.

Utility Bills: Keeping the Lights On and Heat Going

Another major expense category that counts are utility bills. These are the costs associated with keeping your home running comfortably. Michigan’s SNAP program recognizes that these are non-negotiable expenses.

Examples of utilities that often count include:

1. Electricity bills
2. Natural gas or other heating fuel costs (like propane or oil)
3. Water and sewer bills
4. Trash collection fees

These expenses are usually accounted for through a “Standard Utility Allowance” (SUA), which simplifies things. Instead of having to add up every single utility bill, the state gives you a set deduction amount based on the types of utilities you pay for.

This means if you pay for heating or cooling separately from your rent, you might qualify for a higher SUA. It’s a way to make sure that families aren’t penalized for high energy costs, especially during Michigan’s cold winters.

You’ll need to tell the MDHHS which utilities you pay for, and they will apply the appropriate standard allowance to your case.

Medical Expenses for the Elderly or Disabled

For households that include an elderly person (age 60 or older) or a person with a disability, certain out-of-pocket medical expenses can also count as a deduction. This is a special rule designed to help those with higher healthcare needs.

To qualify, these medical costs must be more than $35 per month and cannot be covered by insurance or other programs. The part that’s over $35 can be deducted. This helps ease the burden of medical bills on vulnerable individuals.

Keeping good records of all your medical receipts and bills is super important if you’re in this category. The MDHHS will need to see proof of these expenses to apply the deduction.

This deduction is especially helpful because medical costs can quickly add up, leaving less money for food. It’s a way for SNAP to acknowledge those extra financial pressures.

Child Care and Dependent Care Costs

If you pay for child care or care for another dependent (like an elderly or disabled adult) so that you can work, look for work, or attend school or training, these costs can also count as a deduction. This helps families where parents or guardians need to pay for care to improve their economic situation.

These costs must be necessary for a household member to do one of the following:

• Work or keep a job
• Look for a job
• Attend training or education that is designed to lead to employment

It’s important that the care provider is not a member of your own SNAP household. For example, if your teenager watches a younger sibling, that cost wouldn’t count.

You’ll need to provide proof of these expenses, such as receipts from a daycare center or a statement from a paid caregiver. These deductions are designed to support self-sufficiency by helping families afford essential care while they work or get an education.

This deduction helps reduce your countable income, making it easier to qualify for or receive more food stamp benefits.

Legally Owed Child Support Payments

Another important deduction that can count for food stamps in Michigan is money paid as legally obligated child support to a non-household member. This means if you are paying child support for a child who does not live with you, that amount can be deducted from your income.

This deduction is significant because child support payments reduce the amount of money you actually have available for your own household’s expenses, including food. The SNAP program recognizes this financial obligation.

Here’s what you need to know about this deduction:

1. The payment must be legally obligated by a court order.
2. The child for whom support is paid must not live in your SNAP household.
3. You must provide proof of payment, such as bank statements or court records.

Even if you are making partial payments, the amount you actually pay can be deducted. It’s a crucial allowance for parents who are meeting their legal responsibilities.

This helps ensure that families fulfilling child support obligations still have access to food assistance for their immediate household.

Standard Utility Allowance (SUA): Simplifying Utility Deductions

Instead of calculating every single utility bill, Michigan’s SNAP program often uses something called a Standard Utility Allowance (SUA). This makes it much simpler to figure out your utility deductions. It’s a fixed amount that the state uses, rather than your exact monthly costs.

There are different types of SUAs based on what utilities you pay. For example:

You only need to show that you are responsible for paying for the specific utilities that qualify you for a certain SUA. For instance, if you get a separate heating bill, you’d likely qualify for the Heating/Cooling SUA.

This system means that even if your heating bill is really high one month and low another, the same standard deduction is applied, which helps provide stability in your SNAP benefit calculation.

The MDHHS will help you determine which SUA you qualify for based on your reported expenses. It’s an efficient way to account for fluctuating utility costs.

The Excess Shelter Deduction: Combining Housing and Utilities

The “excess shelter deduction” is where your housing and utility costs really come into play. After other deductions are subtracted from your gross income, if your remaining shelter costs (rent/mortgage + eligible utility allowance) are more than half of your household’s adjusted net income, then the amount over half can be deducted.

This deduction has a cap for most households, meaning there’s a maximum amount that can be deducted. However, if your household includes an elderly person or a person with a disability, there is no cap on the excess shelter deduction. This is a crucial difference.

Let’s look at what goes into this deduction:

• Your rent or mortgage payment
• Property taxes
• Homeowner’s insurance
• The Standard Utility Allowance you qualify for

These combined costs are compared to your household’s adjusted income. If they’re “excessive” (more than 50% of that adjusted income), the extra amount gets deducted up to the current limit (or without limit for elderly/disabled households).

This deduction is often the largest one for many families, significantly lowering their countable income and potentially increasing their food stamp benefits. It truly emphasizes how important housing stability is recognized by the SNAP program.

Understanding what bills count for food stamps in Michigan can seem a bit complicated, but it’s really about showing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) a full picture of your household’s financial situation. By keeping track of your shelter costs, utility bills, and other eligible expenses like medical or child care, you can ensure that you receive all the deductions you’re entitled to. Don’t hesitate to ask your MDHHS caseworker for help if you’re unsure about what documents to provide or which expenses qualify. Every dollar in deductions can make a difference in helping your family put healthy food on the table.