600              INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITIONS

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is designed to promote the general welfare and safeguard the health and well being of the nation's population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households. SNAP is funded mostly by the federal government, and the regulations are written by the United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) Food and Nutrition Service ( FNS ).  Each state is responsible for implementing and administering these regulations.  

Alaska SNAP is administered by the State of Alaska, Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance under the authority of the Food Stamp Act of 1977.  Federal regulations governing SNAP are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRCode of Federal Regulations) at:

Title 7 Agriculture

Subtitle B Regulations of the Department of Agriculture

Chapter II Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture

Subchapter C Food Stamp and Food Distribution Program

271 General Information and Definitions

272 Requirements for Participating State Agencies

273 Certification of Eligible Households

274 Issuance and Use of Coupons

Alaska SNAP is authorized under Alaska Statutes 47.25.975 through 47.25.990 and the Alaska Administrative Code (State Regulations) at 7 AAC 46.010 through 46.990.

The process of determining the need for the level of assistance is the certification procedure. This manual provides the caseworker with standard policy for certification procedures.