In addition to determining eligibility on the basis of income under the FPG or SMI guidelines as detailed above, states may define a household as "categorically" eligible, (Section 2605(b)(2)(A)) also referred to as "automatically" eligible, if at least one person in that household receives assistance under any of the following programs: TANF, SNAP, SSI or "certain means tested veteran's programs."
As shown in this table, 18 states implemented the categorical eligibility option in 2017.
State
|
TANF
|
SSI
|
SNAP
|
VA |
Other Qualifying Programs or Conditions
|
---|
Alaska |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Categorical eligibility for heating and crisis | |
Arkansas |
X
|
Households that have an elderly or a disabled person and receive SNAP benefits are mailed a Potential Eligible Application prior to the start of the LIHEAP program if none of the information has changed, then the household would be eligible to receive a payment toward their energy bill. | |||
Connecticut |
X
|
All household members must participate in the program | |||
Delaware |
X
|
||||
District of Columbia |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Categorical eligibility for heating, crisis and weatherization | |
Hawaii |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Categorical eligibility for cooling and crisis | |
Idaho |
X
|
X
|
Categorical eligibility for heating, crisis and weatherization | ||
Kentucky |
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Categorical eligibility for heating, cooling, crisis and weatherization |
Massachusetts |
X
|
Household eligible if received H-EAT | |||
Montana |
X
|
X
|
X
|
General Assistance (Heating, Crisis and Weatherization) | |
Nebraska |
X
|
Eligible for heating, cooling and crisis | |||
New Jersey |
X
|
||||
New York |
X
|
SSI Code A
|
X
|
||
Oklahoma |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Categorically eligible for heating, cooling, and crisis | |
South Dakota |
X
|
Heating and crisis | |||
Texas |
X
|
X
|
Categorically eligible for heating, cooling, crisis and weatherization | ||
Washington |
X
|
||||
West Virginia |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Source: FY 2017 LIHEAP Plans.