FACT 32 (Categorical Eligibility Expansion)
Food Assistance Change Transmittal No. 32
September 25, 2008
TO: Food Stamp Certification Handbook Holders
FROM: Helen E. Jones-Kelley, Director
SUBJECT: Categorical Eligibility Expands

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2008

OAC RULE: 5101:4-2-02

This policy is effective on October 1, 2008. On or about November 1, 2008, the policy in this food assistance change transmittal will be incorporated into a Food Stamp Transmittal Letter with changes to rule 5101:4-2-02, "Food Stamps: categorical eligibility."

Reason for Change

We are expanding categorical eligibility to include all assistance groups (AGs) who are authorized to receive Ohio Benefit Bank services. The Ohio Benefit Bank is a TANF-funded service that offers application assistance and outreach for low and moderate income Ohioans for existing benefits and services, including cash assistance, food stamp benefits, Medicaid, child care, income tax credits, student financial aid and fatherhood programs.

Previous Policy

Categorical eligibility is limited to AGs in which all members were in receipt of Ohio Works First (OWF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Disability Financial Assistance (DFA), and Prevention Retention and Contingency (PRC) programs. These AGs are not subject to the gross or net income test or the resource limits.

New Policy

Effective October 1, 2008, categorical eligibility will be expanded to include all AGs who are authorized to receive Ohio Benefit Bank services. These AGs are not subject to the net income test as defined in OAC rule 5101:4-4-11 or the resource limits defined in OAC Rule 5101:4-4-01. All applicants and recipients will be authorized and notified of the Ohio Benefit Bank services at application and reapplication through receipt of the Printed Copy of Information and through notification of approval for benefits. Both of these forms include a statement that the AG is authorized to receive Ohio Benefit Bank services and how they can access those services.

AGs that do not contain an elderly or disabled member must be at or below one hundred thirty per cent of the federal poverty level to be authorized to receive Ohio Benefit Bank services. The gross income of AGs with an elderly or disabled member must be at or below two hundred percent of the federal poverty level according to their AG size to be authorized to receive Ohio Benefit Bank services.

Exceptions to categorical eligibility for Ohio Benefit Bank AGs include:

  • AGs in which any member is disqualified for an intentional program violation in accordance with division 5101:6 of the Administrative Code.
  • AGs in which any member is ineligible because of failure to comply with a work requirement of rules 5101:4-3-11 and 5101:4-3-19 of the Administrative Code and the requirements of rule 5101:4-3-09 of the Administrative Code.

Persons applying for food stamp benefits at the county department of job and family services do not have to access the Ohio Benefit Bank services to be categorically eligible, nor do county departments have to track whether they used it or not. Caseworkers do not have to provide any information to food stamp applicants about the Ohio Benefit Bank because it will be provided via the CRIS-E generated Printed Copy of Information and on CRIS-E notices.

Office of Family Stability Letter No. 75 "Expanded Categorical Eligibility for Food Stamps," issued July 10, 2008 includes a series of questions and answers that provide more details about the Ohio Benefit Bank and the new policy.

A view flash bulletin will be issued with information regarding changes to CRIS-E.

Questions can be directed to the TANF_FSTA mailbox.