SNAP Dependent Care Expense

Resources

Income Deductions 

Requirement

Deduct dependent care expenses from the SNAP household’s (EU) Total Income to compute the Adjusted Income.

Dependent care is an allowable expense when necessary to enable a household member to:

• • Seek employment
  • Accept employment
  • Continue employment
  • Attend training
  • Pursue education preparatory to employment
  • Participate in SkillUP or case management activities

Dependent care expenses are:

• • Amounts incurred or billed for the care of a child or other dependent
    • Include sliding fees and co-pays when the household receives Child Care Subsidy
    • The household must report these expenses, we do not have an interface with DESE and cannot access sliding fee amounts
  • Round trip mileage from the home to the dependent care provider and from the provider back home
  • Transportation costs (bus, taxi, ridesharing services, like Uber, Lyft, etc.)

Note: Include mileage and transportation even when:

• • • The parent/caretaker works at the same dependent care facility the dependent attends
    • The dependent care facility is located at the parent/caretaker’s work, school or training location

Enter allowable expenses on Dependent Care Expense (DCEXP/FMXM) for the adult who is incurring the expense. Enter expenses separately for each dependent, choosing the appropriate child/adult in the repeating group, except for mileage. Mileage may be added to one dependent, it does not need to be divided between them.

Dependent care expenses can only be deducted if care is provided by someone outside of the SNAP household. Allow only the out-of-pocket portion the household incurs or is billed for care.

When a participant indicates they receive Child Care Subsidy, discuss sliding fees and co-pays with the participant. Client’s statement is acceptable for these amounts, unless questionable.

EXAMPLE

Juno takes her child to child care while she is at work. Juno receives the Child Care Subsidy.

Every week she pays her provider $25 in sliding fees and $30 in copays. Her allowable dependent care expenses are $55 a week and mileage.

Explore mileage/transportation costs from home to the provider (round trip) each time entries are made on DCEXP and enter a comment explaining the calculations.

VERIFICATION

• • CS = Client Statement unless questionable
  • HC = Hard Copy

Enter all dependent care expenses that are incurred or billed, rather than what is actually being paid by the household. Always include:

• • Monthly miles round trip, traveled from home to the dependent care provider and back again
  • Transportation costs, bus fare, etc. and the frequency

Record dependent care expense information, verification and add comments on Dependent Care Expenses (DCEXP/FMXM).

If expenses are claimed for a reason the deduction is not allowed, add a comment explaining why on Eligibility Unit Member Role (EUMEMROL/FM3Z).

Whenever dependent care expenses are added or updated FAMIS displays the message “Review mileage and transportation expenses and add if necessary,” on DCEXP.

5.2.2025