IM-89 November 5, 2012; IM-36 April 22, 2010; IM-24 February 21, 2006; IM-57 May 21, 2002; IM-192 October 23, 2001; IM-71 May 4, 2000
Categorically eligible EUs must meet the same eligibility requirements as all other EUs in the following non-financial areas:
- residency
- citizenship/immigrant status
- sponsored immigrant
- EU determination
- identity
- work registration, and
- SSNs
Categorically eligible EUs are considered eligible without providing verification of the following eligibility factors:
- residency
- SSNs
- sponsored immigrant information, and
- resources, including resource transfer
EXAMPLE: Mrs. D is a single person EU, receiving SSI. She applies for Food Stamps in Missouri and she states she lives in Iowa. She would not be approved, as she does not meet the residency requirement. However, if Mrs. D states that she resides in Missouri, she can be approved without verification of the residence.
Categorically eligible EUs have the same reporting requirements as non–categorically eligible EUs.
Categorically eligible EUs have different eligibility requirements in the following areas.
- Resources: categorically eligible EUs do not have to meet the resource limits defined for other EUs. Resources do not have to be explored or verified for Food Stamps.
- Gross and net income eligibility standards: categorically eligible EUs do not have to meet gross or net income eligibility standards.
- Benefits: an EU determined to be categorically eligible is entitled to benefits as listed in the Basis of Issuance Tables. Additional issuance factors for categorically eligible EUs include the following:
- Any one or two person categorically eligible EU is entitled to at least a $16 allotment regardless of net income amount.
- All other categorically eligible EUs are entitled to benefits up to an income limit. When the EU’s net income exceeds the categorically eligible income maximum, it is ineligible for Food Stamps.
FAMIS will identify categorically eligible EU members on the Categorically Eligible (FMMK) screen. Valid reason codes include:
- CHC – CHILD CARE (system determined)
- CPS – COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP (worker determined)
- SAB – SUPPLEMENTAL AID FOR THE BLIND (system determined)
- SAP – SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT (worker determined)
- SSI – SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (system determined)
- TAP – TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (system determined)
The Categorically Eligible (CATELIG/FMMK) screen appears in the controlled flow. It may also be accessed in maintenance mode to change an individual’s categorical eligibility status or reason. The “CE (Y/N)” and “Effect Date” fields will be populated based on the information in the system.
EXAMPLE: Ms. A applies for Food Stamp benefits and receives Supplemental Security Income. When you flow to the Categorically Eligible (CATELIG/FMMK) screen the “CE (Y/N)” and “Effect Date” and “Reason” fields will already be populated with a Y, the month of application and reason code SSI.
The following two codes will not automatically populate at any time, the ES will need to determine eligibility for the following code reasons:
- CPS – Community Partnership
- SAP – Supplemental Payments (because supplemental payment (SP) cases are in still in the legacy system).
An EU member may have multiple reasons for categorical eligibility. FAMIS will only capture the primary reason. If any member receives special support services (CPS-Community Partnerships), be sure to use that reason code as this conveys categorical eligibility to the entire EU.
FAMIS reviews the Food Stamp categorical eligibility information when a Temporary Assistance or Child Care determination is run. When one CE reason code ends for the Food Stamp EU member, the system checks to see if there is another reason the member should be CE. If the system does not determine a new CE code, a reminder “CHECK CE CODE FOR FOOD STAMP ELIGIBILITY” is generated.
If all members of the EU are coded CE for any reason, the reminder will not be generated. If one or more members are not coded CE, the reminder is generated. To view reminders in FAMIS, type “ALREMIND” or “FM7M” on the command line and press enter. The Alert/Reminder (FM7M) screen displays. To filter for reminders type “R” in the Alert/Reminder (A/R) field and press enter. The reminders are displayed.
When this reminder is received, review the categorical eligibility information entered on the Categorically Eligible (CATELIG/FMMK) screen and update if necessary. To view categorical eligibility status, type “CATELIG” or “FMMK” on the command line and press enter. The categorical eligibility for all members of the EU is displayed.
If a change is made in the categorical eligibility information entered in the system, complete an eligibility determination by typing “EDRES” on the command line and pressing enter. Complete the authorization process.
Act on the change to the Food Stamp EU, including the change in categorical eligibility, if:
- there is a change in Child Care expenses,
- there is a change in the Temporary Assistance grant. If there is insufficient information to determine the effect on the Food Stamp EU, follow procedures in 1135.035.05.10 CE Household Eligibility (Temporary Assistance/SSI/SAB/SP/Special Support Services).
EXAMPLE: Mrs. D is no longer working and her Child Care case closes. The Food Stamp EU is no longer categorically eligible and a bank account of over $2000 is now considered a resource. Although the Child Care expense increases, an adverse action to close the EU for excess resources is created when the eligibility determination is completed. Complete the authorization to close the EU on excess resources.