Categorical Eligibility

In its traditional form, categorical eligibility conveys SNAP eligibility through the receipt of cash assistance from Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Transitional Aid for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC); or Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC). For such Public Assistance (PA) households, categorical eligibility for SNAP benefits means that a household is considered to have automatically passed a SNAP gross income test, net income test and/or asset test because of having already passed the income and asset tests of another means-tested program.

For Non-Public Assistance (NPA) households, categorical eligibility means that, because they may include some members who receive cash assistance and some who do not, they are subject to a gross categorical eligibility income standard (200% of the federal poverty guidelines) based on household composition.

PA Categorically Eligible Households

A PA household has automatic categorical eligibility for SNAP. To be considered a categorically eligible PA household, it must be one of the following:

An EAEDC SNAP Combo Household - All persons in the household receive or are authorized to receive EAEDC.
A TAFDC SNAP Household - All persons in the household receive or are authorized to receive TAFDC.
An SSI SNAP Household - All persons in the household receive or are authorized to receive SSI or State Supplement Program (SSP) benefits.
A SNAP Household in which all members receive or are authorized to receive income from one or more of the income types listed in the bullets above.

NPA Categorically Eligible Households

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is the designation used in BEACON for all categorically eligible NPA households. TANF is a federal block grant administered to states to assist low-income families with programs such as TAFDC. Federal SNAP policy allows states to extend categorical eligibility to any household receiving TANF-related non-cash benefits or services. Providing clients with the Department’s TANF-funded Help for Those in Need: A Resource Brochure satisfies this requirement.

The following rules apply to all NPA households for determining categorical eligibility, whether the household includes members receiving TANF Services only or members receiving a combination of public assistance (PA) and TANF Services (NPA).

The TANF Service FS AU designation includes three TANF Services groups:

SNAP-Only TANF Services Family Households
a SNAP household consisting of a pregnant woman living alone
a SNAP household with a child under age 19 living with a parent or caretaker relative or an adult caretaker who exercises SNAP parental control
- These households are subject to the gross monthly Categorical Eligibility Income Standard. An NPA SNAP household that consists of adults between the ages of 19 and 59 is subject to the SNAP gross income test at 106 CMR 364.950 and the net income test at 106 CMR 364.970.
SNAP-Only TANF Services Adult Households
- Note: An 18 year old who does not live with a parent, guardian or caretaker relative exercising parental control but who is a grantee of a SNAP household belongs in this categorical eligibility group.
- An NPA SNAP household that consists of all non-SSI elders or consists of members who are federally disabled in accordance with 106 CMR 361.210 are subject to the gross monthly Categorical Eligibility Standard 106 CMR 364.976 and net income test at 106 CMR 364.970 .

SNAP-Only TANF Services Elderly/Disabled Households

Help For Those in Need: A Resources Brochure

Case managers must give all SNAP-Only TANF services applicants who apply in-person at the local office, a copy of the Help for Those in Need: A Resource Brochure. Clients who apply by drop-off, Web, mail-in or fax receive this brochure as part of the automated SNAP App Info packet.

BEACON Determination of Categorical Eligibility

The categorical eligibility determination is fully automated in BEACON. BEACON will make a preliminary determination of categorical eligibility based on the AU Composition Results and the answers to the Income and Expenses Q & A Navigator. If the SNAP case appears to be categorically eligible, BEACON will then automatically by-pass the Asset Q & A Navigator.

If the EBC Results determination of categorical eligibility is No and the Assets Q&A Navigator page was not completed, the following edit will display: “Assets data must be completed and selected before the request can be authorized. Please return to the Assets Q & A Navigator page.” Once the case has been authorized both the EBC Results page and the AU Composition Results page will update the categorical eligibility information fields with categorical eligibility information.

When attempting to wrap-up an application/recertification, BEACON alerts case managers if a member of an existing categorical eligibility group is disqualified. The edit reads: "Asset data must be completed and selected before the request can be authorized. Please return to the Assets Q&A Navigator page." You must then contact the client to request asset information to process the application or recertification.

Combination Categorical Eligibility Groups

When a SNAP household includes multiple PA or NPA categorically eligible household types, BEACON will use the most generous categorically eligible income standard to determine categorical eligibility for this combination household.

Categorically Eligible Households

A categorically eligible household will become an active SNAP case but its benefit amount depends on income.

If a household (any size) meets the income requirements, it will be approved and receive a regular SNAP benefit amount based on household composition, income, and expenses.
If a household with 1 or 2 people has income that exceeds the limit, it will be approved and receive the minimum SNAP benefit amount.
If a household with 3 or more people has income that exceed the limit, it will be approved at $0. This allows the household to inform DTA of changes that may increase their eligibility without requiring a new application.

Being eligible for SNAP at any benefit level confers eligibility for other programs, including, but not limited to: reduced utility bills, school meal programs, reduced internet expenses, and reduced-cost cultural activities such as museum and aquarium passes.

Who Is Not Categorically Eligible for SNAP Benefits?

The following households cannot be considered categorically eligible:

Households disqualified due to an Intentional Program Violation at 106 CMR 367.800
Households disqualified due to a failure to Comply with SNAP Work Program requirements at 106 CMR 362.320
Non-SSI elder/disabled households with gross income in excess of the Categorical Eligibility Income Standard at 106 CMR at 364.976

For these households, you must request asset information and appropriate verifications to determine eligibility.

When a Household Becomes Non-Categorically Eligible During the Certification Period

A household is considered non-categorically eligible if the household’s income is greater than 200% of the Categorical Eligibility Gross Income Standards. Although elderly/disabled SNAP households are not subject to a gross income limit for SNAP eligibility, they are still subject to the 200% gross income limit for categorical eligibility purposes.

When a household that includes at least one household member that is elderly or disabled, becomes non-categorically eligible for SNAP during their certification period, BEACON will automatically convert the case as non-categorically eligible and prompt the asset match to be applied to the case, if applicable to the household, such as the DOR Bank Match.

When a case changes from categorically eligible to non-categorically eligible during the certification period for Simplified Reporting households, DTA staff must not address assets nor request verification of assets until the household’s next reporting period.

The Data Match Unit (DMU) must disposition these bank matches and not request additional verification from the household. A narrative must be entered for the next worker to address assets at the household’s next reporting period.

Important: When a SNAP case changes from categorically eligible to non-categorically eligible during the certification period for Simplified Reporting households, BEACON will activate the asset match and may send a DOR Bank Match Letter, if applicable to the client. Although the DOR Bank Match Letter may be generated, DTA staff must not address the DOR Bank match nor request verification of the bank match until the household’s next reporting period.