Proposed Rule: SNAP - Reforming Categorical Eligibility

Summary

Under section 5(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, households in which each member receives benefits under a state program funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are categorically eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Current SNAP regulations consider TANF benefits to include both cash assistance and non-cash or in-kind benefits or services from TANF-funded programs. This proposal would limit categorical eligibility to only households that receive TANF assistance, as defined at 45 CFR 260.31. These revisions would ensure that SNAP benefits are targeted to needy households that have qualified for TANF assistance while still aligning categorical eligibility's statutory purpose of simplifying program administration.

A 100-word summary of this rule has been posted to regulations.gov and can be found here.

Request for Comments

Written comments must be received on or before Dec. 10, 2026 to be assured of consideration.

The Food and Nutrition Administration, USDA, invites interested persons to submit written comments on this proposed rule. Comments may be submitted in writing by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Send comments to SNAP Program Development Division, Food and Nutrition Administration, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705.
• Email: Send comments to: [email protected]. Include Docket ID Number [FNA-2026-0661], "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Reforming Categorical Eligibility" in the subject line of the message.

All written comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the substance of the comments and the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure. FNA will make the written comments publicly available on the internet via regulations.gov.

The Department believes that this proposal to limit categorical eligibility to only households that receive TANF assistance, as defined at 45 CFR 260.31, aligns with SNAP's statutory eligibility requirements. However, the Department invites comments on whether there are alternative approaches to limit categorical eligibility with TANF that achieve the same policy goals.

Supplementary Information

Prior Rulemaking

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA or the Department) previously proposed changes to categorical eligibility on July 24, 2019. The proposed rule, titled "Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)," would have limited the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits that may be used to confer categorical eligibility for SNAP to those that were ongoing and substantial (84 FR 35570). Categorical eligibility allows households that have been determined eligible for TANF or certain other means-tested programs to also be eligible for SNAP. The Biden Administration withdrew the proposed rule on June 10, 2021 (86 FR 30795). The Department is now proposing revised changes to categorical eligibility rules to limit categorical eligibility only to households that receive TANF assistance, as defined at 45 CFR 260.31. As explained in the Regulatory Impact Analysis accompanying this rule, the Department acknowledges these revisions may result in some level of increased administrative burden on states, a reduction in SNAP benefit spending, and associated effects on school meals eligibility.

Read the Full Proposed Rule