604-1          CERTIFICATION PERIOD

After a household is determined eligible, a certification period is assigned.  Households, in which all adult household members are elderly or disabled, that have no earned income may be given a certification period of up to 24 months.  All other households will be given a certification period of 12 months.

Note:

Effective 12/1/2024, Alaska will implement the Elderly Simplified Application Project Demonstration (ESAP). ESAPElderly Simplified Application Project Demonstration allows a 36-month certification period and specialized procedures to households in which all adult household members are elderly or disabled and have no earned income. See SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program MS 605-3(D). 

Once a certification period is established, it continues until the end unless the household requests case closure or the household is determined ineligible and the case is closed.  If a case closes during the certification period, document the reason.  Once a case is closed, a new application is required before the household can participate again, except when the case was closed in error and the error is discovered before the certification period would have expired.

The household must go through the recertification process before a certification period is extended.  See MS 604-3.

604-1 A.     LENGTH OF CERTIFICATION PERIOD

The first month of the certification period is the first month the household is eligible for SNAP.

Example:

A household submits an application on July 10th and is determined to be over income for July, but eligible beginning August.  The first month of the certification period is August.

Example:

A household applies for SNAP in October.  The household reported that his PFDPermanent Fund Dividend was garnisheed to pay back taxes to the IRSInternal Revenue Service . The household is ineligible for SNAP for October due to the PFDPermanent Fund Dividend income, but will be eligible beginning November.   PFD hold harmless benefits are issued for October.  SNAP benefits are approved effective November. The household's 12-month SNAP certification period is November through October.

Follow these guidelines when determining the length of the household’s certification period.

1. Eligible Only in Month of Application

A one-month certification period must be used when the household is eligible in the month of application, but not eligible in the following month.  If the household is only temporarily ineligible for the second month and will be eligible again the third month, the case is suspended for the second month and a longer certification period is established.  See MS 604-3F.

A two-month certification is used when the household is eligible for the first two months but not eligible in the third month.  If the household is only temporarily ineligible for the third month and will be eligible again the fourth month, the case is suspended for the third month and a longer certification period is established.  See MS 604-3F.

Note:  

The caseworker sends the Food Stamp Recertification Due (F801) notice to households certified for two months when the initial application is approved.  See MS 604-1B.

Example:  

A household applies for SNAP in May.  They are eligible for May, but over the income limit for June.  The income ends in June and the household will be eligible again in July.  The caseworker approves the application, authorizes May benefits, and establishes the certification period for six months, May through  October.  June is suspended due to the temporary ineligibility.

2. Eligible for Full Certification Period

Households in which all adult household members are elderly or disabled and have no earned income may be certified for up to 24 or 36 months. See SNAP MS 605-3(D) for 36-month certification period policy. All other households will be given a certification period of 12 months.

Households should be assigned the longest certification period possible, consistent with its circumstances.

The caseworker can provide a shorter certification period if one of the following situations occur:

1. The household contains an ABAWD; or

2. The household has unstable circumstances.

If a shorter certification period is assigned to the household, the caseworker must document the reason in the case note.

When Assigning a 24-month Certification Period:

The caseworker must have at least one contact with the household every 12 months. The requirement is met with the completed and returned Interim Report at the mid-point of the certification period, as explained in SNAP MS 604-2.  The interview for a household assigned to a 24-month certification period does not need to occur until the household is due for their review, unless they meet the waiver criteria established in SNAP MS 604-2(C).

     3. Households including an ABAWDAble-bodied Adult Without Dependents

Households that include any member who has been identified as a non-exempt ABAWDAble-bodied Adult Without Dependents should be assigned a maximum certification period of 4 months (the pro-rated month and three countable months).  Please refer to MS 602-1 L. (8-10) for more information about countable ABAWD months.

604-1 B.     NOTICES OF EXPIRATION OF CERTIFICATION PERIOD

The SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recertification (X004) notice is sent automatically by EISEligibility Information System to households certified for three months or longer.  This notice is sent approximately 45 days before the end of the certification period.

The SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recertification Due (F801) notice is sent by the caseworker to households certified for two months.  This notice is sent when the initial application is approved.

The FSFood Stamp Approved One Month Only (F100) notice is sent by the caseworker when a household is eligible for only the month of application.

604-1 C.     NOTICES OF INTERIM REPORT

The Interim Report Form (FSP 95) and the SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Interim Report notice (X054) will be sent automatically to the SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program household 45 days before the middle of the SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program certification period and will include a postage paid return envelope.  This will be sent in the 5th month for a case certified for 12 months and in the 11th month for a case certified for 24 months.  

If the FSP 95SNAP Interim Report is not returned 20 days after it was sent, the household will be sent the automated Non-Receipt of SNAP Interim Report notice (X052)

If the FSP 95 is not returned to DPA 30 days after it was sent, the SNAP case will close with adequate notice.  The system generated notice SNAP Closed - Interim Report (X053) will be sent to the household.