STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance 

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   2021-03

MANUAL:   Alaska Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

DATE:   December 1, 2021

This year the Social Security Administration announced a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increase effective January 2022, which increased the payee fee that can be excluded as unearned income.

Highlights of these and other policy revisions are described below. If you have any questions, please contact the Policy & Program Development team at hss.dpa.policy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 601           Application Process

• Clarified we are now able to accept telephonic applications and signatures for SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

MS 601-2(H)       The Application Form

• Clarified we are now able to accept telephonic applications and signatures for SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

MS 601-3(E)       The Interview

• Clarified we are now able to accept telephonic applications and signatures for SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

MS 602-2(B)       Exempt Resources

• Added Health Savings Account (HSA) as an exempt resource if trustee has set restrictions on the HSA so that funds may only be used for qualified medical expenses, and nothing else

MS 602-3(B)       Unearned Income

• Updated payee fees to reflect the COLACost of Living Allowance update

MS 602-4(E)       Shelter Deduction

• Clarified pet charges added to rent are not allowable shelter expense deductions
• Clarified note section to remove the reference to the LIHEAPLow Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program award list 
• Included the use of ECOSEnergy Community Online System and when to contact Tribal agencies for LIHEAP verification 
• Added links to correlating HAPHeating Assistance Program manual Addenda 

MS 604-1       Certification Period

• Changed verbiage to clarify after a household is determined eligible, most certification periods will be 6 months in length. Households in which all household members are elderly or disabled and have no earned income may be certified for up to 24 months. 

MS 604-2       Recertification

• Clarified we are now able to accept telephonic applications and signatures for SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

MS 604-3(F)       Removing a Member from the Household

• Clarified an individual who is restricted from leaving the home by way of ankle monitor is not considered incarcerated

MS 604-4(C)       Notice Requirements During the Certification Period

• Clarified an individual who is restricted from leaving the home by way of ankle monitor is not considered incarcerated

Addendum 6       Documentation of Eligible Alien Status

• Clarified Afghan SIVSpecial Immigrant Visas receiving the new "SQ4" and "SQ5 codes, are SIVSpecial Immigrant Visas for the purposes of SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility and should be treated in the same manner as those receiving codes "SQ" and "SI"

Addendum 9       State & FNSFood and Nutrition Service Approved Substance Abuse Programs

• Added Chanlyut Treatment Program as a FNSFood and Nutrition Service approved treatment center