Categorical Eligibility 430-05-20-80

(Revised 09/01/2020 ML3587)

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IM 5445

IM 5423 Amended

IM 5423

 

 

The following households are categorically eligible:

  1. 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.

 

  1. Any household in which ALL members receive SSI, including SSI presumptive eligibility benefits or 1619b.
  2. 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:

  1. a benefit that was authorized, but not received, or
  2. a benefit that was suspended, or
  3. a benefit that was recouped, or
  4. a benefit not paid because it was less than a minimum amount.

 

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.

 

Exception:

When an individual in a SNAP household reports they have received lottery and/or gambling winnings equal to or greater than $3,500, we must close or deny the SNAP case and the household will not be considered categorically eligible.

 

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 the Notice of Eligibility with the zero benefit information documented.

 

Non-Categorically Eligible Households

Households in which all members receive TANF and/or SSI that also include a member that is disqualified for fraud cannot be categorically eligible.  The household will automatically pass the asset test but is subject to the 130% gross income test and 100% net income test.

 

Exception:

When an individual in a SNAP household reports they have received lottery and/or gambling winnings equal to or greater than $3,500, we must close or deny the SNAP case.

Exception:

When an individual in a SNAP household reports they have received lottery and/or gambling winnings equal to or greater than $3,500, we must close or deny the SNAP case.