Expanded Categorical Eligibility (ECE)
Expanded categorical eligibility (ECE) exists when all of the following apply to the budgetary unit:
● Gross income does not exceed 200% of the current federal poverty level (FPL)
● The NA budgetary unit does not meet basic categorical eligibility (BCE) requirements
● The resources of participants with certain disqualifications are not over the NA resource limit (See Disqualified Participants )
NOTE Resources from certain disqualified participants are counted in full.
ECE eligibility exists when the budgetary unit meets all of the above and the budgetary unit does not have a participant who has a disqualification. (See NA and CA Disqualifications )
When any participant in the budgetary unit meets the NA definition of Elderly or has a disability, the budgetary unit receives special considerations. (For information on special considerations, see Elderly or Have a Disability - NA Special Considerations )
AZTECS automatically considers an NA Expanded categorically eligible budgetary unit to have met all of the following NA eligibility factors:
● Resources
● Gross and net income tests