Categorical Eligibility 430-05-20-80

(Revised 10/1/2024 ML 3858)

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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.
  2. Any household in which ALL members receive SSI, including SSI presumptive eligibility benefits or 1619b.
  3. Any household in which ALL members receive TANF and/or SSI.

Receipt of TANF and SSI benefits is defined as:

a. a benefit that was authorized, but not received, or

b. a benefit that was suspended, or

c. a benefit that was recouped, or

d. 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 $4,500, 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 $23 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 $4,500, we must close or deny the SNAP case.