Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Resource | Info Sheets Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE)

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.

11/02/2023
Resource | Proposed Rule Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposes to prescribe how it determines whether a noncitizen is inadmissible to the United States under section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act because they are likely at any time to become a public charge. 

02/24/2022
Resource | Notices Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the SNAP - Withdrawal

This document informs the public that the FNS is withdrawing the proposed rule titled Revision of Categorical Eligibility in SNAP that published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2019.

06/10/2021
Resource | Notices Reopening of Comment Period: WIC National Universal Product Code Database Next Steps

The FNS WIC program  is issuing this Request for Information to obtain input from WIC state agencies, authorized vendors, food manufacturers, technology partners, and other interested stakeholders regarding the direction of the National Universal Product Code (NUPC) database. 

04/16/2020
Resource | Notices Request for Information: WIC National Universal Product Code Database Next Steps

WIC is issuing this Request for Information to obtain input from WIC state agencies, authorized vendors, food manufacturers, technology partners, and other interested stakeholders regarding the direction of the National Universal Product Code (NUPC) database. 

01/30/2020
Resource | Brochures How Do I Apply for SNAP Benefits?

SNAP helps low-income people buy the food they need for good health. SNAP benefits are not cash. SNAP benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM or bank card to buy food at most grocery stores. To get SNAP benefits, your income and other resources have to be under certain limits.

SNAP 313
11/27/2019
Resource | Proposed Rule Proposed Rule: Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the SNAP

USDA proposes updating the regulations to refine categorical eligibility requirements based on receipt of TANF benefits. Specifically, the Department proposes: (1) to define “benefits” for categorical eligibility to mean ongoing and substantial benefits; and (2) to limit the types of non-cash TANF benefits conferring categorical eligibility to those that focus on subsidized employment, work supports and childcare. The proposed rule would also require state agencies to inform FNS of all non-cash TANF benefits that confer categorical eligibility.

10/21/2019
Resource | Comment Request Revision of Categorical Eligibility in SNAP - Reopening of Comment Period

The Food and Nutrition Service proposed to make changes to SNAP regulations to refine categorical eligibility requirements based on receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits. 

10/18/2019
Resource | Comment Request Comment Request - National Universal Product Code (NUPC) Database

This collection is an extension, without change, of a currently approved collection for the maintenance of a central repository containing information about authorized foods in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, as approved by various WIC state agencies.

05/07/2018
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0101 Clarification on Characteristics of Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility Programs Memo

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.

12/27/2016
Page updated: October 14, 2021