605-4 B.     SUBSISTENCE HUNTING AND FISHING

1. Eligibility for Subsistence Hunting and Fishing Provisions

Only individuals meeting both of the following criteria may use SNAP benefits to purchase subsistence hunting/fishing equipment:

1. Live in communities in which access to retail stores is difficult; and
    

2. Rely substantially on hunting and fishing for subsistence.

These households may use SNAP benefits to purchase specified subsistence hunting and fishing equipment as defined under subsistence equipment in MS 600-2 at any FNSFood and Nutrition Service authorized retail store in Alaska.

2. Subsistence Hunting and Fishing Statement

To allow fishing and hunting equipment to be purchased with SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, a written statement signed by the head of household, spouse, or authorized representative is required.  The written statement must indicate they intend to secure a substantial portion of the household's food by means of subsistence hunting and fishing, and agree that they do not intend to use subsistence items for commercial purposes.  This required statement can now be found on the Statement of Truth in the Application for Services (GEN 50C).

3. Special ID Card for Subsistence Hunting and Fishing

Households eligible to use SNAP benefits to purchase hunting and fishing equipment are issued a specially designated SNAP Identification Card.

The caseworker can authorize the issuance of a Subsistence Hunting and Fishing ID card by entering a Y in FS SUBSISTENCE ID CARD field on the FSADFood Stamp Allotment Determintion screen.

4. Ineligible Areas

To determine if the community has limited access to retail stores, evaluate whether the community has regular transportation such as paved highway, or scheduled train or ferry service.  The following list includes areas fitting that definition.  Residents in a community included below cannot purchase subsistence hunting/fishing equipment.  Households living in communities not listed or living outside the immediate boundaries of the listed communities should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for eligibility to purchase subsistence hunting/fishing equipment.  The caseworker decision must be documented in the case file.