9042.2 Categorically Eligible Households

Any household in which all members receive or are authorized to receive TANF/GA/RCA and/or SSI benefits are considered eligible for food stamps because of their status as TANF/GA/ RCA and/or SSI recipients unless the entire household is institutionalized as defined in DSSM 9015 or disqualified for any reason from receiving food stamps. Residents of public institutions who apply jointly for SSI and food stamp benefits prior to their release from the institution in accordance with DSSM 9015 are not categorically eligible upon a finding by SSA of potential SSI eligibility prior to such release. Consider the individuals categorically eligible. At such time as a final SSI eligibility determination has been made and the individual has been released from the institution. The eligibility factors which are deemed for food stamp eligibility without the verification required in DSSM 9032 because of PA/SSI status are the resource, gross and net income limits, Social Security Number information, sponsored alien information and residency. If any of the following factors are questionable, verify that the household which is considered categorically eligible: Contains only members that are TANF/GA/RCA or SSI recipients (as defined in DSSM 9042); Meets the household definition in DSSM 9013.1; Includes all persons who purchase and prepare food together in one food stamp household regardless of whether or not they are separate units for TANF/GA/RCA or SSI purposes; and Includes no persons who have been disqualified. Assume categorical eligibility at recertification in the absence of a timely redetermination. If a recertified household is subsequently terminated from TANF/GA/RCA benefits, follow the procedures in DSSM 9089 as appropriate. Under no circumstances will any household be considered categorically eligible if any member of that household is disqualified for an intentional Program violation in accordance with DSSM 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2027. These households are subject to all food stamp eligibility and benefit provisions and cannot be reinstated in the Program on the basis of categorical eligibility provisions. Do not include any person as a member in any household which is otherwise categorically eligible if that person is: An ineligible alien as defined in DSSM 9007; Ineligible under the student provisions in DSSM 9010; Ineligible under the fleeing felon or probation violator provisions in DSSM 2025; Institutionalized in a non-exempt facility as defined is DSSM 9015; or Ineligible because of failure to comply with a work requirement of DSSM 9018. For the purposes of work registration, apply the exemptions in DSSM 9018.3 to individuals in categorically eligible households. Any such individual who is not exempt from work registration is subject to the other work requirements in DSSM 9018.1.