See this from the USDA (which I posted previously) . States can have different income and asset limits for those SNAP recipients who qualify under broad-based categorical eligibility. Only about 45 states participate in BBCE. Here’s a guide for NYS - the only people who have to meet the asset test are households with someone who is disqualified from SNAP or households with senior or disabled member with an income exceeding 200% of the Federal poverty level. I don’t know when/where you were receiving SNAP but BBCE has changed over the years, to the point where access to a hotline or a brochure is now enough to establish categorical eligibility. Also from the USDA
As explained in previous memos, there are three types of categorical eligibility. Broad-based categorical eligibility refers to the policy that makes most, if not all, households categorically eligible for SNAP because they receive non-cash TANF/MOE funded benefit or service, such as an informational pamphlet or 800-number. Narrow categorical eligibility describes the policy that makes a smaller number of households categorically eligible for SNAP because they receive a TANF/MOE funded benefit such as child care or counseling. Both narrow and broad-based categorical eligibility are non-cash categorical eligibility. Traditional categorical eligibility refers to the mandatory policy that makes households categorically eligible for SNAP because the household receives TANF, SSI, or general assistance cash benefits.