STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   2008-01

MANUAL:   Alaska Food Stamp Program

DATE:   July 15, 2008

In response to staff requests to clarify estimating income policy, we have revised the Determining Monthly Income chapters in the Adult Public Assistance, Alaska Temporary Assistance, Family Medicaid, and Food Stamp program manuals.  To the extent possible, the same format and words are used in all manuals to reinforce the alignment of the policies among programs.  This revision does not change policy, but instead, clarifies concepts and methods caseworkers can use to estimate income.  We also took this opportunity to clarify a few Food Stamp Program income policies in the unearned income and exempt income sections.  

We added an exception to the Residency section to address categorically eligible households leaving Alaska, and corrected policy relating to felony convictions, addressing the differences between expungement and set aside.  We also added new guidance in the Notice Requirements chapter.

Highlights of these policy revisions are described below.  If you have any questions please contact the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3347 or e-mail dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 602-1A(5)  Excluded Household Members

1. • Corrects Note regarding convictions that are set aside.  Convictions that are set aside may or may not be expunged.

   • Revises Note to clarify that only those convictions that are expunged are removed from the individual’s record.

MS 602-1B  Residency

1. • Adds an Exception for categorically eligible households leaving Alaska.  This exception is limited to households receiving cash benefits from the Alaska Temporary Assistance or Native Family Assistance programs.

MS 602-2B(29)  Victims of Crime Compensation Payments

1. • Adds section to describe resource exclusions for payments made to aid victims of crimes

MS 602-3B(3)  Child Support Payments

1. • Removes in the month of intended use in the first paragraph; it is obsolete policy

   • Adds reference to MS 603-1 Estimating the Household’s Monthly Income chapter

   • Removes sections that explain what to do when there is a history of payments and when there is not a history of payments.  This policy is more thoroughly described at MS 603-1.

   • Changes the sentence regarding non-recurring lump sum payments into Note format

MS 602-3D(6)  In-kind Income

1. • Removes reference to the SeniorCare prescription drug benefit

   • Adds reference to State of Alaska Legal Trust benefit as an example of a non-cash employee benefit

MS 602-3D(8)  Irregular Income

1. • Removes first sentence that contained incorrect policy

MS 602-3D(9)  Sporadic Income

1. • Revises section to reflect correct policy for counting a payment if the household already received it or can reasonably anticipate receiving it.

   • Adds reference to MS 603-1D Irregular Income

MS 602-3D(15)  Reimbursements

1. • Moves the last sentence that follows the exception to the first paragraph.  Reimbursements will not be considered to exceed actual expenses unless the provider or the household indicates the amount is excessive.

MS 602-3D(25)  Title V Payments

1. • Revises title of this subsection to MASSTMature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training Payments, the name of the Title V program administered in Alaska.  Caseworkers often ask if MASSTMature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training payments are exempt, not realizing that MASSTMature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training payments are Title V SCSEPSenior Community Service Employment Program payments.

   • Revises paragraph to refer to the MASSTMature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training program

MS 602-3D(36)  Victims of Crime Compensation Payments

1. • Adds section to describe income exclusions for payments made to aid victims of crimes

MS 603  Determining Eligibility and Benefit Level

MS 603-1  Estimating the Household's Monthly Income

1. • Revises entire chapter to clarify policy.  This revision is included in all the program manuals.

   • Adds definition of terms including full payment period and scheduled payment.

   • Adds examples to illustrate how policy can be applied to various situations.

MS 604-4  Notice Requirements During the Certification Period

1. • Adds paragraph on importance of complete and accurate notices in order to comply with due process requirements

   • Adds guidance on what constitutes a timely and adequate notice

MS 605-2D(7)  Income from Self-employment

1. • Updates the Self-employment Annualization Standards chart

Addendum 4  Standards and Maximum Allotments

1. • Adds Alaska Food Stamp Program to header