LIHEAP Categorical Eligibility: Tribes

[Last updated: 01/7/2026]

Link to: LIHEAP Categorical Eligibility: States and Territories

In addition to determining eligibility on the basis of income under the FPG or SMI guidelines, tribes 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." According to Section D of the Tribal Manual, using categorical eligibility for LIHEAP can simplify the processing of applications. However, to make sure the household is receiving some type of categorical assistance listed above, a tribe may have to coordinate with state and federal government offices, which could result in more time required to process applications. The Manual also says that, although categorical eligibility is allowed under LIHEAP, some tribes feel it gives households an unfair advantage and would rather determine eligibility for LIHEAP based on the total income of the household.

State	Tribe	TANF	SSI	SNAP	VA	1+ or All	Other

Alabama	Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe	X	X	X		1+	A household is automatically considered income-eligible for energy assistance if at least one member receives benefits from certain public assistance programs. These programs include: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Faster processing: Eligibility can be confirmed quickly through benefit verification. Reduced documentation: Applicants don’t need to submit extensive income proof. Automatic enrollment: Some programs may allow households to be enrolled without submitting a direct annual application. Equitable treatment: The plan includes provisions to ensure categorically eligible households are treated the same as others in terms of benefit determination
Alabama	Mowa Band of Choctaw		X	X			Household is automatically considered to meet certain eligibility requirements for a program, and does not need to provide additional verification. Household member that receive SNAP benefits are automatically approved based on current award letter presented.
Alabama	Poarch Band of Creek Indians
Alabama	United Cherokee Ani'Yun'Wiya Nation
Alaska	Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association
Alaska	Aniak Traditional Council	X	X	X			We ask the client for a letter stating employment dates from their employer for all clients that are working in the home.
Alaska	Association of Village Council Presidents	X		X			Any family eligible for TANF or SNAP will automatically be eligible for LIHEAP, but the benefit level will need to be determined for accuracy. Categorical eligibility is especially important in weatherization work we are doing. A LIHEAP family will automatically qualify for weatherization using SNAP or TANF categorical eligibility.
Alaska	Bristol Bay Native Association
Alaska	Chuathbakuk Traditional Council
Alaska	Cook Inlet Tribal Council	X	X	X		1+	Categorically eligible for heating assistance, particularly under program like Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program ( LIHEAP), means that a household is automatically considered eligible if at least one member receives benefits from certain other assistance programs. These programs typically include: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP) Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Alaska	Kenaitze Indian Tribe						We do not have categorical eligibility. All applications will be processed the same manner. All un’ina will provide current income verification for household members 18 years of age or older. A release of information is sent to the State of Alaska Eligibility Verification System to verify benefits. The address is verifications@alaska.gov
Alaska	Orutsararmiut Native Council						Households that contain an elder 60 years or older, disabled, or, children 5 years and under qualify as long as all members of the household are income eligible.
Alaska	Seldovia Village Tribe
Alaska	Sitka Tribe of Alaska	X	X	X		1+	Head of household on application must show proof of TANF, SSI, SNAP benefits. Any adult in the household not on benefit will be required to submit separate income information to determine eligibility on the application.
Alaska	Tanana Dena'Nena'Henash
Alaska	Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority	X	X	X		1+	Households that receive these benefits receive an extra point added to their calculation. Not all household members need to receive the benefits, client benefits for LIHEAP are still based on the point benefit system.
Alaska	Yakutat Tlingit Tribe
Arizona	Cocopah Indian Tribe
Arizona	Colorado River Indian Tribes						Applicants are based on the income of the head of household (applicant), meeting the income base for LIHEAP assistance.
Arizona	Gila River Indian Community
Arizona	Navajo Nation (AZ-MN-UT)	X	X	X		1+	A household where at least one household member received SSI, TANF or SNAP is categorical eligible.
Arizona	Pasqua Yaqui Tribe	X	X	X	X		Fixed Income households are under this eligibility criteria.
Arizona	Quechan Indian Tribe
Arizona	Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community	X		X
Arizona	San Carlos Apache Tribe	X	X	X	X		Determined eligible based on government assisted programs, i.e., TANF, SSI, SNAPS; eligibility already determined by reliable government programs.
Arizona	White Mountain Apache Tribe	X	X	X
California	Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California	X	X	X	X
California	Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians	X	X	X
California	Bishop Paiute Tribe	X	X	X	X
California	Enterprise Rancheria
California	Hoopa Valley Tribe
California	Hopland Band of Pomo Indians
California	Karuk Tribe
California	Mooretown Rancheria	X	X	X	X	1+	Categorical eligibility refers to the qualification of benefits/services based on specific categories rather than on additional income. If a tribal member or someone in the household receives at least one of the benefits listed above, the household is considered eligible.
California	Northern California Indian Development Council (also in AZ)	X	X	X		1+	If one member of the household receives one or more of the benefits listed above, they are determined categorically eligible. The household is then only required to provide proof of receipt of the benefit, instead of providing documents showing all income sources. This makes the application much easier for the household, and staff eligibility review is much quicker.
California	Pinoleville Pomo Nation	X	X
California	Pit River Tribe
California	Quartz Valley Indian Reservation
California	Redding Rancheria	X	X	X
California	Riverside-San Bernardino Indian Co. Health, Inc	X	X	X	X
California	Round Valley Indian Tribes	X	X		X
California	Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians	X	X	X	X		If applicant is receiving public assistance, they are considered low income
California	Southern Indian Health Council, Inc.						The applicant is the recipient of the approved funds per the application and represents the entire household even though those household members that are 18+ must submit their income to complete the matrix to determine the amount the LIHEAP funds will pay the utility vendor directly for up to amount of the bill provided.
California	Yurok Tribe	X	X	X	X	1+	Categorically eligibility is used to automatically income qualify households for LIHEAP, if at least one member currently receives assistance from one of the above programs.
Idaho	Coeur d'Alene Tribe
Idaho	Nez Perce Tribe
Idaho	Shoshone Bannock Tribes	X	X	X	X	1+	As long as one person in the household is receiving one of the benefits (TANF, SSI, SNAP, or Means-tested Veterans Programs) will automatically qualify for LIHEAP assistance under categorical eligibility. Over-Income households who are categorically eligible will fall will be provided services however, there benefit level will be lower due to resources available. Please see benefit matrix attached.
Kansas	United Tribes of Kansas and SE Nebraska, Inc.		X				They must meet all guidelines we have in place. Number in the household income Native American.
Maine	Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
Maine	Mi'kmaq Nation		X			1+	Categorical eligibility means any household that has at least one member that receives SSI benefits.
Maine	Passamaquoddy Tribe - Indian Township	X	X				All households must provide income, one member applying receives.
Maine	Passamaquoddy Tribe - Pleasant Point	X	X	X	X	1+	Categorical eligibility refers to a policy that qualifies certain households for the low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) based on their participation in other means- tested programs, such as: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid-Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (SSDI). When a household is categorically eligible, not all members need to receive benefits; just one member's participation in an eligible program qualifies the entire household for LIHEAP. This streamlines the application process in several ways: Simplified application: Households don't need to provide extensive income documentation, as their eligibility is established through their participation on other programs. Reduced paperwork: Less documentation is required, making the application process faster and more efficient. Increased access: More households are eligible, and the simplified process encourages more people to apply. Data exchange: States can use existing data from other programs to verify eligibility, reducing the need for duplicate applications and paperwork. Overall, categorical eligibility simplifies the LIHEAP application process, reducing barriers and increasing access to energy assistance for eligible households.
Maine	Penobscot Indian Nation	X	X	X	X		All eligible households with income less that 60% of the median guidelines for the State of Maine are eligible. Households receiving TANF, SSI, SNAP or certain means-tested Veterans programs are considered automatically eligible. Automatic eligibility is used only as a method of documenting income eligibility. Program benefits and other eligibility policies apply to all households regardless of the method of income documentation.
Massachusetts	Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council
Michigan	Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians	X	X	X
Michigan	Inter-Tribal Council of MI, Inc.
Michigan	Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
Michigan	Little River Band of Ottawa Indians	X	X	X		1+	LRBOI defines categorical eligibility as one member of the household receiving either TANF, SSI or SNAP benefits, and applies for the program.
Michigan	Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
Michigan	Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Mississippi	Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians	X	X	X			Eligibility of household base on eligible for TANF, SNAP, and SSI.
Montana	Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes (Fort Peck)
Montana	Blackfeet Tribal Business Council
Montana	Chippewa Cree Tribe	X	X			1+	Households are determined categorically eligible when either the Head of Household or any member listed on the application receives benefits from at least one of the categories identified.
Montana	Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes	X		X			Categorical eligibility is the ability to provide assistance to the most people based on their receiving of the above mentioned benefits as well as assist households on the basis of income.
Montana	Fort Belknap Indian Community	X	X	X
Montana	Northern Cheyenne Tribe	X	X	X	X	1+	One member of the household need to receive TANF, SSI, SNAP, Means tested Veterans
New Jersey	Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation
New Mexico	Jicarilla Apache Nation	X	X	X	X		Any applicant receiving benefits such as TANF, SSI, SNAP, Veterans may qualify for energy assistance. Most applicants are unemployed or disabled.
New Mexico	Pueblo of Jemez
New Mexico	Pueblo of Laguna Utility Authority	X	X	X	X
New Mexico	Pueblo Nambe
New Mexico	Pueblo of Zuni	X	X	X		1+	A household is automatically eligible where at least one member of the household receives TANF, SSI, or SNAP.
New York	Seneca Nation of Indians	X	X	X		1+	Any household that contains a member in active receipt of any ongoing federally funded TA, SNAP, or SSI is considered categorically income eligible. If one household member receives one of these programs, the entire household is considered categorically income eligible. For the Furnace replacement/repair program to be categorically eligible, the homeowner must be the household member who receives SNAP, TA, and SSI.
New York	St. Regis Mohawk Tribe	X	X			1+	Households who contain a member in active receipt of ongoing SNAP, federally funded Public Assistance (PA), or SSI. If one household member is in receipt of PA, SNAP, or SSI the entire household is considered categorically income eligible.
North Carolina	Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
North Carolina	Lumbee Nation
North Dakota	Spirit Lake Tribe (Devil's Lake Reservation)
North Dakota	Standing Rock Sioux (also in SD)
North Dakota	Three Affiliated Tribes (Fort Berthold)	X	X	X
North Dakota	Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians
Oklahoma	Absentee Shawnee Tribe
Oklahoma	Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town
Oklahoma	Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
Oklahoma	Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes
Oklahoma	Chickasaw Nation	X	X	X	X		The household must provide proof of receiving benefits and proof that they live at the residence.
Oklahoma	Choctaw Nation	X	X			All	All household members must be receiving TANIF and/or SSI to be considered a categorically eligible household.
Oklahoma	Citizen Potawatomi Nation	X	X	X	X	1+	At least one person in the household received TANF, SSI, SNAP, or means-tested Veterans funding within the measurement period for the service requested. Income will still be gathered and measured against the allowable limits but categorical eligibility will override income limitations when applicable.
Oklahoma	Comanche Nation of Oklahoma
Oklahoma	Delaware Nation
Oklahoma	Delaware Tribe of Indians
Oklahoma	Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
Oklahoma	Fort Sill Apache Tribe		X				The applicants with utilities included in the rent are required to submit a statement from the landlord stating that their utilities are included in the rent and what the renter's share of the utility bill is. We give priority to elders, children under 6, and the disabled. We want to ensure these families have cooling in their homes during the dangerously hot summer months.
Oklahoma	Kaw Nation			X			Any household that receives SNAP benefits will be eligible for our program due to the Department of Human Resources Services income Guidelines to receive SNAP benefits.
Oklahoma	Kialegee Tribal Town
Oklahoma	Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma	X	X	X	X		A policy that allows some households to automatically qualify for a program without considering their income or resources.
Oklahoma	Kiowa Tribe
Oklahoma	Miami Tribe of Oklahoma
Oklahoma	Muscogee (Creek) Nation	X	X	X		All	Households that receive TANF, SNAF and SSI are considered categorically eligible if all household members on the application are included in the benefit. Applicants are required to submit verification of their benefits and benefits households. Households that are deemed categorically eligible do not need to submit income verification for their households.
Oklahoma	Osage Nation
Oklahoma	Otoe - Missouria Tribe of Indians	X	X	X
Oklahoma	Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma	X	X	X	X
Oklahoma	Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma	X	X	X	X	1+	Categorical eligibility refers to meeting a criteria within a specific classification to qualify for a benefit, program or opportunity. It is based on a one per household which includes income guideline based on 150% HHS Poverty Guidelines and a Benefit point system.
Oklahoma	Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma
Oklahoma	Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma	X	X	X			Eligible if enrolled in above programs.
Oklahoma	Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma	X		X	X
Oklahoma	Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
Oklahoma	Seneca Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma
Oklahoma	Shawnee Tribe	X				1+	A household is categorically eligible for LIHEAP if the applicant, or head of household, currently receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This eligibility streamlines the LIHEAP application process as proof of enrollment in TANF satisfies the income requirements for LIHEAP. This means applicants do not have to gather and submit pay stubs or other financial records to prove their income is at or below 60% of the state median income. Primary documents used to verify the household is a TANF recipient include, but are not limited to a TANF Benefit Letter (a.k.a. Notice of Action Letter) and/or an EBT Card. Applicants who currently receive TANF benefits will receive full points under the income eligibility criteria in the tribe’s determination benefit matrix.
Oklahoma	Thlopthlocco Tribal Town	X	X	X		1+	The applicant has to be the one that is receiving the benefits.
Oklahoma	United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
Oklahoma	Wichita and Affiliated Tribes	X	X	X			Categorical Eligibility is for those households that have already been determined to meet another program's income eligibility and guidelines for that household size and there is no reason to have them submit income verification if they are receiving TANF or SNAP benefits. The SSI is acceptable under this benefit with the exception that the applicant/head of household is the primary source of income.
Oklahoma	Wyandotte Nation
Oregon	Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
Oregon	Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Oregon	Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon	X	X	X	X
Oregon	Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs	X	X	X	X	1+	Any person(s) living in a home and eligible for SSA benefits, DHS benefits TANF/SNAP or Medicaid), General Assistance benefits or Veterans benefits is eligible for assistance due to a medical or debilitating condition.
Oregon	Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
Oregon	Klamath Tribes						Categorical eligibility refers to a streamlined process where a household is automatically considered eligible for LIHEAP assistance if at least one member is already receiving benefits from certain federally funded programs.
Rhode Island	Narragansett Indian Tribe
South Carolina	Catawba Indian Nation	X	X	X	X		Income and needs based as listed on our General Assistance application per household. Information is captured through an online application process and paper application.
South Dakota	Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe	X	X	X	X		The family household is deemed categorically eligible based on fixed income sources like SSI, SS, TANF, GA, and VA with all income thoroughly documented.
South Dakota	Oglala Sioux Tribe	X	X	X	X		Our eligibility is based on our matrix income guidelines.
South Dakota	Rosebud Sioux Tribe	X	X	X	X	All	The family unit is considered categorically eligible based upon the monthly services of TANF, SSI and SNAP with the understanding all income within the households is documented.
South Dakota	Yankton Sioux	X	X	X
Utah	Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah	X	X	X	X	1+	If a household member receives the benefits, the household is eligible for LIHEAP.
Utah	Ute Tribe (Uintah & Ouray)	X	X	X	X		Means-tested Veterans Programs, and Food Distribution assistance, etc.
Virginia	Monacan Indian Nation	X	X	X	X	1+	One household member must provide proof of their enrollment in TANF, SSI, SNAP or meant-tested veterans programs as well as proof of residence in the household to be considered categorically eligible. There is no data exchange in place, but this streamlines the LIHEAP application.
Washington	Colville Confederated Tribes						Categorical eligibility refers to income eligibility only, families must meet 60% threshold of the State Median Income. Net Income will be used to determine eligibility.
Washington	Hoh Tribe
Washington	Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe
Washington	Kalispel Tribe of Indians
Washington	Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe		X		X	All	Families/individuals who received SSI Income are considered Categorically eligible. Their applications will be processed using the same process and payment matrix that is utilized for all applicants. If there are other household members, we will need their information as well to determine income eligibility.
Washington	Lummi Indian Business Council	X	X	X	X	1+	If one member of the household is participating in one of the income-based programs listed.
Washington	Makah Indian Tribe
Washington	Muckleshoot Indian Tribe	X	X	X	X	1+	Just one member of the household will need to qualify for the benefit to qualify the household. There is a data exchange agreement with MIT and DCYF and DSHS. General information is shared not client information. The client is eligible but the process is not faster and all information is still needed. Muckleshoot also considers households categorically eligible if at least one household member receives SSI or Foster Care income. Eligibility requirements are as follows for both programs: SSI eligibility includes - little to no income, few or no resources, and client must have a disability, blindness, or must be age 65 or older. Foster Care licensing eligibility includes: (1) You must be at least 21 years old to apply for a license. (2) You must demonstrate you have: (a) The understanding, ability, physical health, emotional stability, and personality suited to meet the physical, mental, emotional, cultural, and social needs of children under your care; (b) Sufficient regular income to maintain your own family, without foster care reimbursement unless you are an approved PTFC home as outlined in WAC 110-148-1366; and (c) The ability to communicate with the child, the department, health care providers, and other service providers. (3) You must comply with the case plan for the children in your care. (4) You must not use drugs or alcohol, whether legal or illegal, in a manner that affects your ability to provide safe care to children. (5) You and everyone residing on your premises or who you allow to have unsupervised access to children must demonstrate they can provide children with a nurturing, respectful, and supportive environment.
Washington	Nooksack Indian Tribe
Washington	Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe	X	X	X			State median income at 60 percent.
Washington	Quileute Indian Tribe	X	X	X	X		Households qualify based on a point system, based on age, disability, age of children in home, amount in household, income, and energy usage. We use proof of military involvement, involved with VA services, or enrolled in special programs like Sarge's Place for veterans.
Washington	Quinault Indian Nation	X	X	X	X	1+	If one of the household members receives one of the benefits listed above, the program verifies income by outreach to TANF or SNAP. If a household is on SSI we accept their eligibility letter or bank statement
Washington	Samish Tribe	X	X	X			"Categorically Eligibility" refers to individuals or households that automatically qualify for certain benefits or assistance programs because they meet specific predefined criteria. Instead of going through a separate eligibility determination process, their qualifications for the programs (such as Supplemental Security Income or SSI) automatically makes them eligible for our LIHEAP.
Washington	Small Tribes Organization of Western Washington	X	X	X			Data is exchanged between our offices and the individual tribal offices.
Washington	South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency	X	X			1+	Categorical eligibility allows a household to qualify for LIHEAP if any member receives benefits from programs such as SSI or TANF. This process enables automatic qualification through data exchange, reduces the need for additional documentation, and expedites application processing—streamlining the experience for both applicants and administrators.
Washington	Spokane Tribe						Categorical eligibility refers to income eligibility only. Families must be at or below the 150% Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Net income will be used to determine eligibility.
Washington	Suquamish Indian Tribe of the Port of Madison Reservation	X	X	X		1+	If any member of the household receives public assistance either through state insurance (Provider 1), TANF or SNAP they are categorically eligible for LIHEAP. We require documentation confirming they are receiving one of the above benefits. This helps streamline the process without them having to provide proof of income documentation and reduces the paperwork burden on the client.
Washington	Swinomish Indian Tribal Community						Family is below the 60% median income for Washington state.
Washington	Yakama Indian Nation	X	X	X			FDPIR clients will also be categorically accepted as well. The Food Distributions on Indian Reservation Program uses the 150% Poverty guidelines and comes from the same funding source as SNAP. FDPIR provides USDA food packages to income eligible households.
Wyoming	Eastern Shoshone Tribe	X	X	X	X	1+	Applicant provides documentation for one or more household members in either of the categories of benefits listed. There is a data exchange in place for TANF benefits, since the Eastern Shoshone LIEAP and TANF are in the same location. Streamlining categorical eligibility identifies and eliminates unnecessary steps in order to make it more efficient and effective.
Wyoming	Northern Arapaho Tribe	X	X	X			Families typically qualify for assistance if their only income is from SSDI, SSI, or TANF. Additionally, eligibility for other assistance programs may also make them eligible for LIHEAP.

Source: FY 2026 Tribal LIHEAP Plans

State

Tribe

TANF

SSI

SNAP

VA

1+ or All

Other