STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: 2020-02
MANUAL: Alaska Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
DATE: September 1, 2020
This update includes yearly changes to the income and utility standards that take effect October 1, 2020. 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 at dpapolicy@alaska.gov.
OVERVIEW OF CHANGES
MS 601-2(D) What is an Identifiable Application?
Clarified that a post office deliverable address (residential or mailing) is required for an application to be considered identifiable
MS 601-3(C) What Can Conduct the Interview?
MS 601-3(E) Scheduling Interviews
Clarified that sending an EIS notice informing the applicant of their interview date and time is only required if the applicant has not agreed to a scheduled interview during a phone conversation or been provided with a printout from appointment plus or the "What do I need to bring to my interview?" sheet in the GEN 50C
MS 602-1(A) Households
Clarified what verifications can be used to verify that a conviction falls under U.S. Code Title 18 Chapter 10
MS 602-2(B) Exempt Resources
Clarified that money held in an approved Medicaid Qualifying Trust does not count as a resource to the individual
MS 602-2(D) Other Household Resources
Added substantial lottery and game winnings policy as required by the Farm Bill
MS 602-3(B) Unearned Income
Added substantial lottery and gaming winnings policy as required by the Farm Bill
Clarified that income deposited directly into an approved Medicaid Qualifying Trust does not count as income to the individual
MS 602-4(E) Shelter Deduction
Updated the homeless shelter deduction from $152 to $157
MS 604-2 Recertification
MS 604-3 Reporting and Acting on Changes During the Certification Period
Added substantial lottery and gaming winnings as a change that must be reported and acted on as required by the Farm Bill
MS 605-3(B) Expedited Service
Removed information regarding the Postpone Interview Waiver as this is no longer allowed by FNS
MS 607-1 Calculating the Correct Benefit
Updated Example 1 to reflect 10-10-10 and adverse action rules that still apply when processing changes
MS 608-1 Fair Hearings
Clarified if the household requests for a fair hearing before the effective date of action, we should be continuing benefits automatically unless the household indicates that they do not want continued benefits
Addendum 2 ABAWD Work Requirement Exempt and Non-Exempt Areas
Added Marshall under Kusilvak Census Area
Addendum 4 SNAP Standards and Maximum Allotments
Addendum 9 Approved Substance Abuse Programs
Updated the phone number for the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Program
Changed the name of Haven House to Sitka Counseling and updated their address
Addendum 10 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend EIS Notice for PFD Hold Harmless
Removed postponed interview notices