STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance 

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   2020-02

MANUAL:   Alaska Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

DATE:   September 1, 2020

This update includes yearly changes to the income and utility standards that take effect October 1, 2020. Other changes are either technical in nature or clarifications that are the results of policy questions or suggestions from the field.

Highlights of these and other policy revisions are described below. If you have any questions, please contact the Policy & Program Development team at dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 601-2(D)           What is an Identifiable Application?

• Clarified that a post office deliverable address (residential or mailing) is required for an application to be considered identifiable

MS 601-3(C)       What Can Conduct the Interview?

• Clarified that a NFAP Native Family Assistance Program agency not allowed to conduct a SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program interview

MS 601-3(E)       Scheduling Interviews

• Clarified that sending an EIS Eligibility Information System notice informing the applicant of their interview date and time is only required if the applicant has not agreed to a scheduled interview during a phone conversation or been provided with a printout from appointment plus or the "What do I need to bring to my interview?" sheet in the GEN 50C Application for Services

MS 602-1(A)       Households

• Clarified what verifications can be used to verify that a conviction falls under U.S. Code Title 18 Chapter 10

MS 602-2(B)       Exempt Resources

• Clarified that money held in an approved Medicaid Qualifying Trust does not count as a resource to the individual

MS 602-2(D)       Other Household Resources

• Added substantial lottery and game winnings policy as required by the Farm Bill

MS 602-3(B)       Unearned Income

• Added substantial lottery and gaming winnings policy as required by the Farm Bill

• Clarified that income deposited directly into an approved Medicaid Qualifying Trust does not count as income to the individual

MS 602-4(E)       Shelter Deduction

• Updated the homeless shelter deduction from $152 to $157

MS 604-2       Recertification

• Clarified that a GEN 50C Application for Services or GEN 72 Eligibility review application is received, it must be used to establish a new certification period for all open programs

MS 604-3       Reporting and Acting on Changes During the Certification Period

• Added substantial lottery and gaming winnings as a change that must be reported and acted on as required by the Farm Bill

MS 605-3(B)       Expedited Service

• Removed information regarding the Postpone Interview Waiver as this is no longer allowed by FNS Food and Nutrition Service

MS 607-1       Calculating the Correct Benefit

• Updated Example 1 to reflect 10-10-10 and adverse action rules that still apply when processing changes

MS 608-1       Fair Hearings

• Clarified if the household requests for a fair hearing before the effective date of action, we should be continuing benefits automatically unless the household indicates that they do not want continued benefits

Addendum 2       ABAWD Work Requirement Exempt and Non-Exempt Areas

• Added Marshall under Kusilvak Census Area

Addendum 4       SNAP Standards and Maximum Allotments

• Updated the FFY Federal Fiscal Year 2021 maximum allotments and utility standards released by FNS Food and Nutrition Service

Addendum 9       Approved Substance Abuse Programs

• Updated the phone number for the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Program

• Changed the name of Haven House to Sitka Counseling and updated their address

Addendum 10       Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend EIS Notice for PFD Hold Harmless

• Removed postponed interview notices