STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: 2026-03

MANUAL: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

DATE: September 1, 2026

This update includes yearly changes to the income and utility standards that take effect October 1, 2026. References throughout the manual to Food and Nutrition Service (FNSFood and Nutrition Service) have been updated to Food and Nutrition Administration (FNAFood and Nutrition Administration). Other changes are either technical in nature or clarifications that are results of policy questions or suggestions from the field.

Highlights of this policy revision 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 601-3      THE INTERVIEW

• Clarified recertification interview exceptions to align with ESAPElderly Simplified Application Project Demonstration policy and updated link to ESAPElderly Simplified Application Project Demonstration section for waiver information.

MS 601-5      ACTIONS TAKEN ON THE APPLICATION

• Clarified note to detail that an interview must be conducted before an incarcerated individual may be denied for their incarceration status.

MS 602-2      RESOURCES

• Revised resource limit for SPECATSpecial Category Household/Individual households to $4,750 due to the FFYFederal Fiscal Year 2027 SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program COLACost of Living Allowance.

MS 602-2(A)      DEFINITION AND TYPES OF RESOURCES

• Clarified that the portion of virtual currency/cryptocurrency that can be readily converted to cash is considered a liquid resource.

MS 602-3(B)      UNEARNED INCOME

• Revised note on substantial lottery or gaming winnings in a single game with an updated amount of $4,750 or more due to the FFY 2027 SNAP COLA.

MS 602-4(E)      SHELTER DEDUCTION

• Updated the FFY 2027 homeless shelter deduction released by FNAFood and Nutrition Administration.

MS 604-1      CERTIFICATION PERIOD

• Removed reference to expired elderly/disabled recertification interview waiver.

MS 604-3      RECERTIFICATION

• Removed Note explaining notice requirements for expired elderly/disabled interview waiver.
• Added Note clarifying ESAPElderly Simplified Application Project Demonstration recertification interview requirements.

MS 604-4      REPORTING AND ACTING ON CHANGES DURING THE CERTIFICATION PERIOD

• Added SSASocial Security Administration incarceration and death data matches to list of situations which require caseworkers to take action on SNAP cases.
• Added note clarifying that when NDNHNational Directory of New Hires and SSA electronic data matches are received, the household must be provided the opportunity to dispute the data match before action may be taken.
• Updated amount of gambling winnings that must be reported to $4,750 due to the FFY 2027 SNAP COLA.

MS 605-6      CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY

• Revised note with the updated resource limit of $4,750 for households with elderly or disabled individuals which fail the 200% gross income test due to the FFY 2027 COLA.

MS 606-3      REPLACING SNAP BENEFITS

• Added a note clarifying that electronically stolen benefits may not be replaced.

Addendum 4      PROGRAM STANDARDS AND MAXIMUM ALLOTMENTS

• Updated the FFY 2027 maximum allotments and utility standards released by FNAFood and Nutrition Administration.