Categorical Eligibility

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.