Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Reforming Categorical Eligibility

Official abstract: Under section 5(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, households in which each member receives benefits under a State program funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are categorically eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Current SNAP regulations consider TANF benefits to include both cash assistance and non-cash or in-kind benefits or services from TANF-funded programs. This proposal would limit categorical eligibility to only households that receive TANF assistance, as defined at 45 CFR 260.31. These revisions would ensure that SNAP benefits are targeted to needy households that have qualified for TANF assistance while still aligning categorical eligibility's statutory purpose of simplifying program administration. A 100-word summary of this rule has been posted to www.regulations.gov and can be found here.