231.01 Categorical Eligibility Criteria SR 98-03, 05/98 (FSM-A)

Households which purchase and prepare food together meet categorical eligibility criteria if all members receive public assistance or SSI. Public assistance means TANF, OAA, APTD, and ANB financial assistance.

Exception: IV-E foster care and Refugee Cash Assistance are not considered public assistance for purposes of categorical eligibility.

Categorical eligibility includes households that:

• Have been determined eligible for public assistance or SSI but whose benefits have not yet begun,

• Receive zero benefits because their grant amount is less than $10,

• Receive zero benefits because their payments have been suspended or are being recouped, or

• Have an ineligible alien or student member who does not get public assistance or SSI.

Exception: Categorical eligibility does not apply to households that include the following:

• A member who has been suspended from receiving SSI due to noncompliance with drug and/or alcohol abuse treatment requirements (categorical eligibility does not apply until the suspension ends and the member begins receiving SSI again);

• A medical assistance-only recipient,

• Someone disqualified due to an intentional program violation, or

• Someone disqualified because of noncompliance with work registration requirements.