Categorically eligible households and expanded categorically eligible households are certified using the same requirements applied to any other SNAP household. 7 CFR § 273.2(j)
If questionable, the CAO must verify that households: 7 CFR § 273.2(j)(1)
Have only members who receive cash assistance, Family Works (FW), or SSI benefits (categorically eligible households only);
Meets all household requirements in Chapter 510;
Includes all individuals who purchase and prepare food together in one SNAP household, even if they are separate units for cash assistance or SSI; and
Includes no disqualified individuals.
The CAO will not verify the following for categorically eligible households: 7 CFR § 273.2(j)(2)
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Household income is within gross and net income limits
Social Security number information
Sponsored noncitizen information
Residency
The CAO will verify the following for expanded categorically eligible households:
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Gross income is at or below 160 percent of the FPIG's for households not having an elderly or disabled member
Gross income is at or below 200 percent of the FPIG's for households having an elderly or disabled member
Any other eligibility factors where verification is required by the SNAP program as outlined throughout the SNAP handbook.
The CAO will postpone denial of benefits for a potentially categorically eligible household until the 30th day, in case the household is found eligible for cash assistance or SSI benefits. 7 CFR § 273.2(j)(1)(iv)
The CAO will not postpone the eligibility decision if:
The household is entitled to expedited service; or
It appears that the cash assistance or SSI application will not be approved by the 30th day and the household will not be categorically eligible.
If the CAO postpones the SNAP eligibility decision, but cash assistance or SSI eligibility is still pending on by the 30th day, the CAO will:
Determine the household's eligibility for SNAP on the 30th day.
Write on the ineligible household’s Notice of Ineligibility that it must tell the CAO if its cash assistance or SSI benefits are approved.
Ensure the denied application of a potentially categorically eligible household should cash assistance or SSI benefits be approved later.
For households that are determined categorically eligible before the SNAP eligibility determination, the CAO will:
Authorize benefits back to the date of the SNAP application.
For households that are determined to be categorically eligible after the SNAP benefits are denied, the CAO will:
Authorize benefits back to the date of the SNAP application or the effective date of the cash assistance or SSI, whichever is later
Another interview is not required unless there are significant changes.
The CAO will update the original application from available information or through mail or phone contact with the household or authorized representative. The CAO will ask the household member or authorized representative to initial any changes and sign the updated application again.
The CAO must reevaluate the original application at the household’s request or if the CAO learns that the household is eligible for cash assistance or SSI.
Once the cash assistance application is approved and a household is found categorically eligible, the CAO will:
Use the initial cash assistance payment to calculate the SNAP benefit for that month if it is reasonably sure what the amount and payment date will be.
Disregard any part of the initial cash assistance payment intended to cover a previous month.
Send a Notice of Eligibility to the household, when SNAP eligibility is determined, stating that receipt of cash assistance may reduce, suspend, or end benefits.
Treat the initial cash assistance payment as a change in circumstances if the amount and receipt date of the first cash assistance payment can not be reasonably anticipated when SNAP eligibility is determined.
NOTE: The CAO is not required to send an Advance Notice of Adverse action if it notified the household in advance that a cash assistance grant might reduce, suspend, or end its SNAP benefits.
For expanded categorically eligible households, the CAO will follow processing procedures as it would with any other SNAP household. (See Chapter 504).
Reissued June 20, 2012 , replacing March 1, 2012