Improving efficacy of the supplemental nutrition assistance program

(a) Certification period Section 3(f) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(f)) is amended, in the second sentence, by striking 24 and inserting 36. (b) Standard medical expense deduction Section 5(e)(5) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(5)) is amended— (1) in the paragraph heading, by striking Excess medical and inserting Medical; (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking an excess medical and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting a standard medical deduction or a medical expense deduction of actual costs for the allowable medical expenses incurred by the elderly or disabled member, exclusive of special diets.; (3) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking excess; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (D) Standard medical expense deduction amount (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), the standard medical expense deduction shall be equal to— (I) for fiscal year 2027, $155; and (II) for each subsequent fiscal year, the applicable amount for the immediately preceding fiscal year, as adjusted to reflect changes for the 12-month period ending the preceding June 30 in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Medical Care published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. (ii) Exception For any fiscal year, a State agency may establish a greater standard medical expense deduction than the deduction described in clause (i) if the greater deduction satisfies the applicable cost-neutrality standards established by the Secretary for that fiscal year.. (c) Value of allotment Section 8(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2017(a)) is amended, in the proviso, by striking 8 percent and inserting 1/3.