STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health
Division of Public Assistance
Transmittal Number: 2026-01
Manual: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Date: April 1, 2026
We revised the self-employment annualization table based on changes in the FPLFederal Poverty Level effective April 1, 2026. We also added a dedicated manual section for Rural Interview Postponement. Other changes are either technical in nature, due to clarifications provided by FNS,Food and Nutrition Service or as a result 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 hss.dpa.policy@alaska.gov.
OVERVIEW OF CHANGES
MS 601-2(H) THE APPLICATION FORM
- Updated this section to include online applications as an option for individuals to apply.
MS 601-3(A) THE INTERVIEW
- Clarified that interviews must be completed at least once every 12 months.
MS 602-1(D) CITIZENSHIP AND ELIGIBLE ALIEN STATUS
- Updated Qualified Aliens Eligible with No Waiting Period to align with FNSFood and Nutrition Service guidance.
MS 602-1(F) WORK REQUIREMENTS
- Revised list of E&TEmployment and Training Program providers.
MS 602-1(G) DETERMINING WORK REQUIREMENTS AND EXEMPTIONS
- Expanded areas served by the self-directed E&T program to include the Municipality of Anchorage, Mat-Su Borough, and Central Kenai Peninsula.
MS 602-2(E) TRANSFER OF RESOURCES
- Updated example to reflect the current resource limit of $3,000.
MS 602-4(C) DEPENDENT CARE DEDUCTION
- Clarified that a dependent care deduction expense must be verified if the previously verified information is outdated.
MS 604-4 REPORTING AND ACTING ON CHANGES DURING THE CERTIFICATION PERIOD
- Added National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) match as a change that must be worked when reported during the certification period.
MS 604-4(C) VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: CHANGES REPORTED DURING THE CERTIFICATION PERIOD
- Updated verification threshold for income changes reported during the certification period to changes of $50.00 or more.
- Updated shelter cost change verification policy to align with SNAP MS 602-4(E)(7).
- Added note detailing when information is considered outdated.
MS 604-5(D) NOTICE REQUIREMENTS DURING THE CERTIFICATION PERIOD
- Updated Note to clarify when notices are required in Mass Change situations.
MS 605-2(D) INCOME FROM SELF EMPLOYMENT
- Updated the Self-Employment Annualization Standards to reflect updated FPLFederal Poverty Level effective April 2026.
- Removed language that indicates SNAP households with self employment earned income above the annualization threshold are not eligible for SNAP.
MS 605-3(B) EXPEDITED SERVICE
- Revised to clarify that verification will be completed within the expedited service timeframe whenever possible. If any verification is postponed to meet the required application processing timeframe, the information and amounts claimed by the household will be used.
MS 605-4(C) RURAL INTERVIEW POSTPONEMENT
- Added new subsection regarding Rural Interview Postponement.
MS 608-2 ADMINISTRATIVE DISQUALIFICATION HEARINGS