STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: 2017-02
MANUAL: Alaska Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
DATE: September 1, 2017
This update includes yearly changes to the income and utility standards that take effect October 1, 2017. Additionally, the resource limit for SPECAT households was increased from $3,250 to $3,500. All manual sections have been updated to use the term SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in place of Food Stamps. 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 at dpapolicy@alaska.gov.
OVERVIEW OF CHANGES
MS 601-5 F. When the Application is Delayed
Added new section 601-5 F. (a.) regarding agency caused delays over 1 year
Added a note to clarify that the 12-month “look-back” period begins on, “…the date on which the State agency is notified, or otherwise discovers that a loss to a household has occurred”
MS 602-1 A. Households
Updated examples for consistency that a child under the age of 22 must be included on their parents SNAP case
Clarified example that a foster child may be included in the foster parent or biological parents household, but the unearned income that is received (foster care subsidy, SSI, RSDI, etc.) for the care of the child must be counted if the child is included
MS 602-2 Resources
Updated the resource limit for SPECAT households to $3500.00 per SNAP Fiscal Year 2018 Cost-of Living Adjustments
MS 602-2 A.(1)(c) Definitions and Types of Resources
Added section that clarifies the policy regarding credit card company gift cards
MS 602-2 D. Other Household Resources
Added to exceptions: “Establishment specific gift cards are not treated as a resource in the month of receipt”
MS 602-3 B. Unearned Income
Added subsection (s) in number 7 that clarifies credit card company gift cards may be countable unearned income if they are regularly received and easily anticipated
Updated and corrected the numbering conventions in subsections 2, 3, 4, and 6 from numerical to alphabetical
MS 602-3 D.(13)&(38) Exempt Income
Added an additional exception to the lump sum policy in section 13 that clarifies FNS’ policy that store specific gift card balances are not counted towards the resource test
Added new section 38 which clarifies that store specific gift cards are treated as non-recurring lump sum payments and exempt as income and as a resource
MS 604-3 B. Status Reporting
Added a note clarifying that APA clients in refused cash status are considered APA recipients
ADDENDUM 4 Program Standards & Maximum Allotments
Updated the FFY 2018 maximum allotments and utility standards released by FNS
Updated the resource limit for SPECAT households to $3500.00 per SNAP Fiscal Year 2018 Cost-of Living Adjustments