STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   2016-03

MANUAL:   Alaska Food Stamp Program

DATE:  August 1, 2016

This manual change primarily reflects the change in State Statute regarding the treatment of drug felons and Alaska's ABAWDAble-bodied Adult Without Dependents exemption.

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 and Program Development Team via email at: dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 601-4 A.  Verification Requirements

• Updated the note for eDRSElectronic Disqualified Recipient System checks as Eligibility Technicians in the field offices, not Field Services, now complete these verifications.  The note was updated to reflect current procedure in the field.

• Changed the name of the Department of Labor interface to SAM and added employment history through quarterly wage match to the information verified section.

• Added eDRS to the Interfaces that need to be checked under certain conditions in 601-4 A.(3)

MS 602-1 A.  Households

• Added probation or parole violators to the excluded household members section.

• Added four clauses under drug felon that would allow a drug felon to be eligible for SNAP benefits.

• Updated the note to align with the ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program manual and include a cross reference to the Administrative Procedures Manual section for verification.  Change based on a change in Alaska State Statute and in accordance with federal regulation.

MS 602-1 B.  Residency

• Removed dpafield email address for eDRSElectronic Disqualified Recipient System checks when a client moves to Alaska.

MS 602-1 F.  Work Requirements

• Updated ABAWDAble-bodied Adult Without Dependents work requirements to add information about "Workfare" and volunteering at participating non-profit organizations to maintain or regain SNAP eligibility.

MS 602-1 L.  ABAWD's

• Added a note and a bullet to clarify that all of Alaska is currently exempt from the ABAWDAble-bodied Adult Without Dependents work requirements and time limitations through May 31st of 2017.

• Updated ABAWD work requirements to add information about "Workfare" and volunteering at participating non-profit organizations.

• Added bullet that Workfare Program activities can help an individual regain eligibility.

• Added section to clarify certification periods for households containing ABAWD's.

MS 602-2 A.  Definition and Types of Resources

• Added language for how to treat Crowdfunding resources based on FNSFood and Nutrition Service guidance dated 01/11/2016.

MS 602-3 C.  Other Income

• Updated drug felon language to state "ineligible drug felon", rather than just "drug felon".  Change based on a change in Alaska State Statute.

MS 604-1 A.  Length of Certification Period

• Added information regarding the certification period for ABAWDAble-bodied Adult Without Dependents's.

MS 604-2 E.  Verification Requirements: Recertification

• Added that IPVIntentional Program Violation status must be checked when a household member is added.

• Changed the name of the Department of Labor interface to SAM and added employment history through quarterly wage match to the information verified section.

• Added eDRSElectronic Disqualified Recipient System to list of interfaces that must be checked.

MS 604-3 E.  Verification Requirements: Reporting and Acting on Changes During the Certification Period

•  Added bullet that IPVIntentional Program Violation status needs to be checked if a household member moves in.

MS 604-3 G.  Adding a Member to the Household

• Updated the note for eDRSElectronic Disqualified Recipient System checks as Eligibility Technicians in the field offices, not Field Services, now complete these verifications.  The note was updated to reflect current procedure in the field.

MS 605-2 B.  Excluded Members

• Updated drug felon language to state "ineligible drug felon", rather than just"drug felon".  Change based on SB91.

MS 605-2 D. (11)  Policy Differences Between Temporary Assistance, Family Medicaid and Food Stamps

• Removed this subsection due to outdated policy, program names and hyperlinks.

MS 605-3 A.  Quarterly or Semiannual Issuances

• Removes obsolete wording regarding quarterly and semi-annual issuances in certain rural areas.

Addendum 2  ABAWD Work Requirement exempt and Non-Exempt Areas  

• Changed the Municipality of Anchorage from a non-exempt area to an exempt area for ABAWDAble-bodied Adult Without Dependents work requirements and time limits as of June 1, 2016 based on FNSFood and Nutrition Service's approval of ABAWD modification waiver.

Addendum 4  Program Standards and Maximum Allotments

• Corrected typo for South Central electric deduction amount.