Eligibility Worker Supplemental Rating Assessment

An Eligibility Worker determines initial and ongoing eligibility for Public Assistance Programs including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medical Assistance (MA), cash programs such as General Assistance (GA) Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Child Care Programs and others.

The necessary information will be provided to you on the assessment form. Use only the information provided on the assessment to answer the questions. (Policy and procedures stated on the assessment may be different from actual. If hired for this position, you will be trained in the proper policy and procedures).

Eligibility Worker Supplemental Rating Assessment

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Name*

SECTION 1: Household Composition

When determining program eligibility, you need to determine which household members are included and which members are not. This is referred to as a household composition or assistance unit. Different programs have different rules about who needs to be included. The following questions refer to determining the household composition or assistance unit(s) for applicants applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

*Assistance Unit – An assistance unit (also referred to as unit) is a person or group of people who live together whose needs, assets, and income you consider together, and who receive a single benefit from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Mandatory Assistance Unit Members for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • People who live together and who customarily buy and prepare food together.
  • Spouses who live together.
  • Children and stepchildren who live with their parent(s) and are under age 22. This is regardless of whether they also live with their spouse and/or children or purchase and prepare food separately.
  • Children under the age of 18 who are under the parental control of a unit member.
  • Foster children and adults who apply for SNAP must be in the same unit as their foster parent(s).
  • Children who receive Relative Custody Assistance grants, live with their relative custodians and who are applying for SNAP must be in the same unit.
After reviewing the definition of assistance unit and the Mandated Assistance Unit Members policy for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) above, determine the number of assistance units and list the names of each member included in each assistance unit. Assume all persons are living together and are applying for SNAP.
SECTION 1: Questions
1. William, Barb (spouse), their mutual children Charles (8), and a child of Barb’s from a previous relationship, Jessica (12). They purchase and prepare food together.
2. Elizabeth (21) and her son, Joshua (6 mo.), and Elizabeth’s parents, Richard (46) and Susan (47). Elizabeth states that she does not purchase and prepare food with her parents.
3. Mark (22) and Paul (23), unrelated roommates. They do not purchase and prepare food together.

SECTION 2: Assets

When determining program eligibility, some programs require a person or assistance units’ assets be evaluated. Different programs have different rules when you need to consider assets. Whether an asset is counted, excluded, available or unavailable depends on the type of asset, and the type of program eligibility.

Some common types of assets include:
  • Cash
  • Checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit union accounts
  •  Securities such as stocks, bonds, and contracts for deed
  • Money markets
  • Property not used as a home
  • Trust funds
  • Annuities
  • Certificates of deposit
  • Life insurance
  • Land, buildings, houses, and mobile homes.
Excluded Assets

Assets that are excluded for program eligibility:
  • Homestead
  • Household and personal goods
  • Assets owned solely by children
  • Vehicles
  • Retirement accounts
  • Certain burial fund & burial space items
SECTION 2: Questions
Joseph and Sarah are married. They have a mutual child, Daniel, age 16. They are all applying for health care. Daniel has a savings bond valued at $3000. Joseph and Sarah own the following assets:

  • Joint checking account with a balance of $1500.
  • Joint savings account with a balance of $2100.
  • 2018 vehicle
  • Their home valued at $150,000.

    • Using the information provided above about common asset types and excluded assets, determine if the following assets should be counted or excluded. Check the appropriate box to indicate your answer. Assume the applicant is applying for a program in which assets need to be evaluated.

    SECTION 3: Determining Income

    When determining program eligibility, each program has an income limit. The income limit identifies how much money a household can have to be eligible for a specific program. Income limits are different for each program. Income may be earned income such as wages from employment or unearned income such as payments received from child support or investment distributions. Certain types of income may also be excluded. The following question is related to an application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

    SNAP Gross Income Limits:

    UNIT SIZE INCOME LIMITS (165% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG))
    1 $1,771
    2 $2,396
    3 $3,020
    4 $3,644
    5 $4,268
    6 $4,893
    7 $5,517
    8 $6,141

    Counted income: Non-excluded earned and unearned income available during the budget month.

    Excluded income:
    • Benefits from the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) nutrition program.
    • Earned income of a child, stepchild or foster child under the age of 18.
    • Payments from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
    • Non-recurring income of less than $30 in a calendar quarter.
    SECTION 3: Questions
    Ken and his wife Ashley live with their 2 mutual children Amanda (6) and Laura (4); and Ashley’s child from a previous relationship, Nick (14). The household applied for SNAP benefits.

    Ken is employed with ABC Hardware Store. Ken makes $2000 per month. Ashley works at a deli market. Ashley makes $2000 per month. Ashley also receives $200 per month in child support for her son Nick. Nick makes $200 per month delivering newspapers.
    Does the Household meet the Gross Income Limits?*