State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Release 24-02 August 22, 2024

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4.2.1 Categorical and Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility

7 CFR 273.2(j)(2)

4.2.1.1 Categorical and Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility Introduction

In its traditional form, categorical eligibility conveys FoodShare eligibility based on a food unit’s receipt of cash assistance from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant (such as, but not limited to, W-2 or Child Care), or state-run General Assistance (GA) programs (cash assistance for low-income individuals).

Categorically Eligible Food Units:

A categorical food unit is defined as all adult food unit members receiving any of the following:

• SSI
• TANF benefits
• GA (general assistance) benefits

Categorical food units have no gross, net, or asset test.

• If 30% of the net counted income is higher than the maximum allotment, the assistance group might not qualify for an allotment.
• One- or two-person assistance groups, which are eligible for the minimum allotment, are the exception.

Since the 1996 welfare reform law, states have been able to expand categorical eligibility beyond its traditional bounds. This is known as broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE).

Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE)

Most food units are considered broad-based categorically eligible if their gross monthly income is at or below 200% FPL and the language describing “Job Center of Wisconsin” services, a partially TANF-funded service that all food unit members are authorized to receive, is issued to the food unit on a CWW generated notice of decision. The following text will appear on FoodShare approval and change notices.

“’Job Center of Wisconsin’ (formerly known as JobNet) is available to you. Job Center of Wisconsin is the single largest source of job openings in Wisconsin, you can access Job Center of Wisconsin via the internet at http://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/ or on touch screen monitors at your local job center. To locate a Job Center of Wisconsin nearest you call 1-888-258-9966.”

Broad-based categorically eligible food units have no asset test.

Loss of Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility

The food unit is not considered to be broad-based categorically eligible if one of the following occurs:

• Total gross monthly income is above 200% FPL.
• Any member of the food unit loses FoodShare eligibility because they were disqualified for an IPV (see Section 3.14.1 Intentional Program Violation (IPV) Disqualification).
• Any member of the food unit loses FoodShare eligibility because they were disqualified due to a drug felony sanction (see Section 3.20.1 Drug Felonies).
• The primary person is disqualified for failure to comply with the FoodShare basic work rules (see Section 3.16.1.2 FoodShare Basic Work Rules).
• Any member of the food unit loses FoodShare eligibility because they received a substantial lottery or gambling winning (see section 6.1.1.2 substantial lottery or gambling winning).

Food units that contain a member who is sanctioned for an IPV or drug felony continue to be eligible to receive TANF Job Center of Wisconsin services so assets are excluded and not deemed. The sanctioned food unit member's income continues to be deemed. The food unit is no longer considered categorically eligible so it must be tested using the regular SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program program gross and net income limits (see Section 8.1.1 Income Limits for those income limits).

4.2.1.2 Transitional FoodShare Benefits

Transitional FoodShare (TFS) food units are no longer broad based categorically eligible (BBCE) or categorically eligible (CE) once they move into a TFS certification period. At the end of the five-month certification period, the food unit will need to reapply for FoodShare and be certified under BBCE or CE rules. see Section 5.1.1 Transitional FoodShare Benefits (TFS) for more information about TFS.

4.2.1.3 Elderly, Blind, or Disabled Food Units

Food units that include an elderly, blind or disabled (EBD) member with gross monthly income over 200% FPL must be tested for FoodShare using the regular SNAP rules. Under the regular SNAP rules, these food units have no gross monthly income limit, a net income limit of 100% FPL, and an EBD countable assets limit.  (see Section 8.1.1.2 Regular SNAP Program Monthly Income Limits).

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Publication Number: P-16001