NA Eligibility Determination
An NA budgetary unit may be determined eligible based on nonfinancial criteria. When the budgetary unit has income, eligibility must then be determined based on the income. A budget is completed to determine gross and net income using all of the following:
● All countable income received or expected to be received in the month for which eligibility is being determined
● Expenses billed or expected to be billed in the month for which eligibility is being determined
A budgetary unit's gross and net income must be equal to or less than the appropriate income standards. (See Gross Monthly Income and Net Monthly Income Eligibility Standards)
A budgetary unit may only have to meet the appropriate net income standards depending on their circumstances. (See Elderly or Have a Disability - NA Special Considerations and Categorically Eligible Budgetary Units )
When the budgetary unit includes a disqualified participant, see Disqualified NA Participant’s Effect on the NA Benefit Amount .
The amount of NA benefits that a participant may receive is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan (TFP). The TFP is an estimate of what it costs to provide nutritious and inexpensive meals. For more information, see Thrifty Food Plan .
See all of the following for policy regarding NA benefit determination:
● NA Income Deductions
● NA Gross Income Test
● NA Net Income Test
● Determining the NA Benefit Amount
● Proration of First Month's Benefits
● NA Aggregate Allotment
● Income Eligibility Tests in the Eligibility Determination