When to Count Nonprescription Drugs toward the Medical Expense Allowance

By Daniel Bagliore

When the head-of-household, spouse, or co-head is elderly (62 years of age or older) and/or disabled, the household is eligible for a medical expense allowance. When the household is eligible for the medical expense allowance, the out-of-pocket, unreimbursed expenses of all household members (except live-in aides) are included in the medical expense calculation.

Exhibit 5-3 of HUD Handbook 4350.3 identifies various allowable medical expenses, which include, among other things, prescription and nonprescription drugs.