STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   2011-03

MANUAL:   Alaska Food Stamp Program

DATE:   April 1, 2011

We are making several changes to incorporate new policy, clarify existing policy, and align policies within our program manuals.  These changes include:

1. • New policy excluding federal income tax returns as income in the month of receipt and as a resource for 12 months from the date of receipt.

1. • Clarification that verification of child support and child care expenses may be postponed for expedite food stamp cases.

1. • Clarification that expedite cases must be processed, and benefits authorized by the 4th day. Previous policy stated that benefits were to be authorized by the 7th day.
   • A change in policy making subsidized adoption payments countable unearned income.  This change is a result of a recent clarification from the Food and Nutrition Service.

Other changes are either technical in nature or clarifications that are the 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 and Program Development Team at 465-3382 or e-mail dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 601-5 F  When the Application is Delayed

1. • Clarifies that if expedited FSFood Stamp benefits that are not authorized by the 4th day following the application filing date, the application will be considered delayed.  Previous policy stated that expedited benefits must be authorized by the 7th day. 

MS 602-2 B  Excluded Resources

1. • Adds new policy in subsection 31 to explain that federal income tax returns received after December 31, 2009 are an exempt resource for 12 months from the date of receipt.

   • Clarifies that the value of federal income tax returns received within the last 12 months should be deducted from countable liquid resources.

MS 602-2 D  Other Household Resources

1. • Removes income tax refunds from Non-recurring Lump Sum Payment section.  

MS 602-3 B  Unearned Income

1. • Adds subsidized adoption payments to list of countable unearned income.

MS 602-3 D  Exempt Income

1. • Removes income tax refunds as a type of non-recurring lump sum payment in sub-section 13.

   • Removes adoption subsidies as a source of exempt income in section 35.

   • Adds new policy in sub-section 35 to explain that federal income tax returns received after December 31, 2009 are excluded from income.

MS 602-4 E (7)  Verification of Shelter Costs

1. • Changes the word “or” to “and” in the sentence about recertifications so the wording is consistent with application and certification sentences.  

MS 604-2 B (3)  Application Filed During the Month Following the Expiration of the Certification Period

1. • Revises section referencing time frame for processing an application to clarify that the expedited FSFood Stamp benefits must be authorized by the 4th day.  Previous policy stated that expedited benefits must be authorized by the 7th day.

MS 604-3A(3)(d)  Changes That Must Be Acted on for Semi-Annual Reporting

1. • Removes FSFood Stamp  E&T non-compliance from disqualification penalty section.

MS 605-1 C  Boarders/Foster Care Children and Adults

1. • Changes policy to count subsidized adoption payments as countable income.

MS 605-2 D  Income From Self-Employment

1. • Updates the Self-Employment Annualization Standards

MS 605-3(b)(1)   Expedited Service Entitlement

1. • Adds a note and example to clarify that federal income tax returns are disregarded when determining a household's eligibility for expedited service.

   • Clarifies that the amount claimed by the household is acceptable verification.

MS 605-3B(2)  Verification for Expedited Service Applications

1. • Clarifies that verification of child support and child care expenses may be postponed for expedite food stamp cases.

MS 605-4B(2)  Subsistence Hunting and Fishing Statement

1. • Eliminates the requirement for a "signed" Subsistence Hunting and Fishing Statement from the head of household.

MS 605-4B(3)  Special ID Card for Subsistence Hunting and Fishing

1. • Eliminates the instructions to enter a Y in the ID CARD REQ field on the FSADFood Stamp Allotment Determintion screen.

MS 606-1A(2)(b)  Monthly Food Stamp Issuance

1. • Clarifies approval of the EBTElectronic Benefit Transfer unit is required when the EBTElectronic Benefit Transfer card is to be delivered to the office.

MS 606-2   Food Stamp Use at Retailers and Wholesalers

1. • Updates telephone contact information for retailers.

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