State option
For purposes of applying this section, a State—
(A) may lower its income standards applicable with respect to part A of subchapter IV, but not below the income standards applicable under its State plan under such part on May 1, 1988 ;
(B) may increase income or resource standards under the State plan referred to in paragraph (1) over a period (beginning after July 16, 1996 ) by a percentage that does not exceed the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over such period; and
(C) may use income and resource methodologies that are less restrictive than the methodologies used under the State plan under such part as of July 16, 1996 .