What documentation do counties require to verify childcare and medical expense deductions for CalFresh applications in California?

1. What expenses are deductible under CalFresh and who qualifies

CalFresh permits dependent care (childcare necessary for work, job search, or training) and certain medical expenses (notably for households with an elderly or disabled member) as deductions from gross income; medical expenses over the statutory threshold qualify for the special medical deduction program (SMD) and counties collect these at intake/recertification using designated forms ^{[7] [8] [1] [2]}.

2. Primary county forms and where verification is recorded

Counties use the CF 285 budget worksheet to record expected recurring dependent care and medical expenses and direct households to complete the medical expenses section of CF 285 or SAWS 2 Plus at intake and recertification ^{[1] [2] [9]}. For special medical deductions, the CF 31 "CalFresh Supplemental Form for Special Medical Deductions" is the recommended supplemental document to detail and substantiate those medical costs ^{[2] [3]}.

3. Typical documentary proof counties ask for to verify childcare and medical expenses

When documentary proof is available, counties commonly request receipts, cancelled checks, invoices, provider statements, or bills showing the amount, recipient, and period of service for childcare and out‑of‑pocket medical costs listed on CF 285 or CF 31 ^{[1] [2]}. The general application and intake instructions emphasize that applicants must give proof of income, expenses, and circumstances to determine eligibility, which is the procedural basis for counties asking for such documentation ^{[9] [10]}.

4. Flexibility: signed statements, collateral contacts and substitute verification

State guidance and county practice permit flexibility when documentary proof is lacking: the CalFresh FAQ indicates counties will generally accept a signed, dated written statement describing medical expenses if other proof is unavailable, and regulations allow collateral contacts or other readily available documentary evidence to establish an expense ^{[4] [5]}. However, counties must obtain CDSS approval to use any formal “substitute request for verification” form and that substitute must include essential information to be valid ^[5].

5. How verification (or lack of it) affects deductions and eligibility

If an expense is not verified, the household does not receive the deduction but the failure to verify should not affect CalFresh eligibility otherwise—the county must approve the case without the unverified deduction if the household qualifies without it ^{[5] [6]}. For medical deductions specifically, California’s SMD rules create a standard medical deduction for eligible elderly/disabled households (documented via CF 285/CF 31), but counties are required to reverify only when medical expenses change by more than set thresholds and must follow federal/state verification rules ^{[8] [5]}.

6. Practical implications and limits of reporting

Practice varies by county: some county offices list childcare and medical costs as deductible categories and may have locally posted checklists for acceptable proof, but the assembled reporting does not provide a single statewide checklist of every acceptable document and explicitly advises applicants to provide whatever proof they can and to contact their county office for specifics ^{[7] [11]}. The reporting also shows that while forms (CF 285, CF 31, SAWS) and receipts/provider statements are central, written statements and collateral verification are valid fallbacks when documentary proof cannot be produced ^{[1] [2] [9] [4] [5]}.