STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance 

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   2016-05

MANUAL:   Alaska Food Stamp Program

DATE:   December 1, 2016

This year the Social Security Administration announced a 0.3% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increase effective January 1, 2017.   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 via email at: dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 602-1 C. IDENTITY  

•  Added a note that clarifies when SVES (State Verification Exchange System) can be used as a verification source for identity.

•  Added information about accepting a Medicaid determination as acceptable verification for identity.  

•  Added a hyperlink to MAGI MS 808-6 F. – Proof of Identity Only.

MS 602-2 B. EXEMPT RESOURCES

•  Added ABLE accounts to list of excluded resources for SNAP.

MS 604-3 A. SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTING

•  Added clarification to semi-annual reporting section that all changes reported on any case should be worked for SNAP cases.

MS 605-2 D. INCOME FROM SELF EMPLOYMENT

•  Removed language from the first example in section 605-2 D.(6.)(b.) that implied income could be prospected based on draws or advances.  

MS 605-7 F. PFD AT APPLICATION

•  Removed the term Family Medicaid and replaced it with MAGI Medicaid.

ADDENDUM 1  CITY AND VILLAGE CLASSIFICATION

•  Updated the city of Barrow with their new name, “Utqiagvik.”

ADDENDUM 2 ABAWD WORK REQUIREMENT EXEMPT & NON-EXEMPT    

•  Updated the city of Barrow with their new name, “Utqiagvik.”

ADDENDUM 5 LIST OF INCOME AND RESOURCES EXCLUDED BY OTHER FEDERAL LAWS

• Updated list of Native funds that are excluded by Federal Law.

• Reorganized addendum so that list of income and resources excluded by other federal laws now reads from most recent to oldest.
  

ADDENDUM 8 LIST OF COMMUNITIES BY CENSUS AREA

•  Updated the city of Barrow with their new name, “Utqiagvik.”

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