Policy Effective: April 1, 2004

Certain households are categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) . Categorical eligibility satisfies the asset, gross and net income tests, Social Security Number, sponsored non-citizen, and residency requirements. A household which is categorically eligible does not have to provide verification of these items. All other SNAP eligibility requirements must be met.

These households are entitled to SNAP as of the latest of these three dates:

the date the household became categorically eligible;

the date of the SNAP application; or

December 23, 1985, which is the date these rules became effective.

Lost SNAP benefits may be issued back to the date which is the latest of these three dates.

There is not a minimum allotment for a categorically eligible household, except for one and two person households. Some households will be categorically eligible but not entitled to an allotment. Those cases should be left open in a suspense status until the household reports a change that results in an allotment, or a review is not completed.

All other SNAP eligibility rules apply, such as income which is countable for SNAP.

Should the household lose its status of categorical eligibility, it must meet all SNAP requirements.