§253.6. Eligibility of households. — Inbound Citations

(a) All applicant households shall be certified in accordance with the eligibility and certification provisions in §§ 253.6 and 253.7.

(1) State agencies which are responsible for and administer both the Food Distribution and public assistance (PA) or general assistance (GA) programs on Indian reservations may allow a household to apply for the Food Distribution Program at the same time the household applies for PA or GA benefits. However, while PA households are categorically eligible, GA households except for those households in GA programs which have been determined by FNS to have criteria of need the same as, or similiar to those under federally aided public assistance programs as provided for in § 253.6(c)(2) shall have their eligibility for USDA Foods based solely on Food Distribution eligibility criteria. All criteria provided in this paragraph (f), are applicable to State agencies which administer both the Food Distribution and assistance programs and which elect joint processing. Under joint processing, the State agency shall use joint application forms that contain all the information needed to determine eligibility for USDA Foods or shall attach a form for the other needed information.

(C) The State agency must obtain verification for those medical expenses that the household wishes to deduct in accordance with 7 CFR 253.6(e)(4). The allowability of services provided (e.g., whether the billing health professional is a licensed practitioner authorized by State law or other qualified health professional) must be verified, if questionable. Only out-of-pocket expenses can be deducted. Expenses reimbursed to the household by an insurer are not deductible. The eligibility of the household to qualify for the deduction (i.e., the household includes a member who is elderly or disabled) must be verified, if questionable.

(D) A household must incur, on a monthly basis, at least one allowable shelter/utility expense in accordance with § 253.6(e)(5)(i) of this chapter to qualify for the shelter/utility deduction. The State agency must verify that the household incurs the expense. If the household chooses to provide actual expenses, then the State agency must obtain verification for each shelter/utility deduction that the household wishes to deduct.