FNS Documents & Resources

Preguntas y Respuestas sobre Elegibilidad Categórica y Vehículos

Broad-based categorical eligibility is a policy that makes most households categorically eligible for SNAP because they qualify for a non-cash TANF or state maintenance of effort funded benefit.

This memorandum provides information on current flexibilities in distribution procedures that are available for state agencies that administer TEFAP. 

In July 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published a proposed rule entitled “Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)." This action closes a loophole that allows states to make participants in certain programs “categorically eligible” to participate in SNAP.

FNS is issuing this memorandum in an effort to clarify the characteristics of BBCE programs and the actions states must take to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

The purpose of this memorandum is to consolidate our policy regarding the participation of Head Start Programs in the child nutrition programs. For more information about the Head Start Program and Early Head Start Program.

This memorandum responds to questions received from regional offices, state agencies and local educational agencies (LEAs) regarding applications for free and reduced price school meals that request the applicant to provide information that is not required for a student’s certification of eligibility for child nutrition programs.

This memo contains an attachment of questions and answers on broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) that are based on inquiries from the states.

We would like to issue a correction on question 11 from the Questions and Answers on categorical eligibility that were issued on Dec. 15, 2009. The answer incorrectly states that the entire household is no longer categorically eligible if any member of a categorically eligible household fails to comply with work registration, job search, voluntary quit, workfare, or monthly reporting requirements. 

This memorandum provides questions and answers relating to policy memorandum SP38 CACFP08 SFSP07-2009, Extending Categorical Eligibility to Additional Children in a Household, dated Aug. 27, 2009.