Categorical Eligibility 430-05-20-80
(Revised 06/01/09 ML3182)
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The following households are categorically eligible:
- Any household in which ALL members receive TANF, including Diversion Assistance, Transition Assistance and Kinship Care. A TANF household remains categorically eligible if the only reason a child is not included in the monthly TANF grant is because of a benefit cap.
Exception:
For TANF Pay After Performance, since the Pay After Performance individual's needs are deducted from the grant, the individual is not considered categorically eligible based on receipt of TANF.
- Any household in which ALL members receive SSI, including SSI presumptive eligibility benefits or 1619b.
- Any household in which ALL members receive TANF and/or SSI.
Exception:
A TANF household remains categorically eligible if the only reason a child is not included in the monthly TANF grant is because of a benefit cap.
Receipt of TANF and SSI benefits is defined as:
- a benefit that was authorized, but not received, or
- a benefit that was suspended, or
- a benefit that was recouped, or
- a benefit not paid because it was less than a minimum amount.
Households with a member(s) that has been disqualified from participation are not categorically eligible.
Automatic Asset and Income Test
Households in which ALL household members are in receipt of TANF, SSI, or a combination of TANF and SSI are categorically eligible and will automatically pass all asset and income tests in TECS. The income type of SI on the UNIN screen and/or participation of IN, in an open TANF case in Vision is used to determine categorical eligibility.
All eligible one and two person households are entitled to the minimum $16 monthly allotment.
Exception:
If due to proration during the initial month, the benefit is less than $10, no benefit is issued.
When a household’s net income exceeds the level at which benefits are provided, the worker must deny the application using Notice F231 – Application Denied Zero Benefit.
