STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health

Division of Public Assistance 

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   2022-02

MANUAL:   Alaska Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

DATE:   September 1, 2022

This update includes yearly changes to the income and utility standards that take effect October 1, 2022. Added a new addendum similar to MAGI Addendum 3 showing examples of different incomes and whether they are considered countable income.  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 hss.dpa.policy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 601-3(E)           Verification Requirements for Initial Applications

• Removed reference to Appointment Plus as this system is no longer used

MS 602-1(D)       US Citizenship and Alien Status

• Revised section to include Temporary Protected Status (TPS).  TPS individuals are considered a legal, but non-qualified alien

MS 602-2       Resources

• Updated the FFYFederal Fiscal Year 2023 SNAP resource limit standards released by FNSFood and Nutrition Service

MS 602-2(A)       Definition and Types of Resources

• Clarified the portion of virtual currency/cryptocurrency that can be readily converted to cash is considered a liquid resource

MS 602-2(B)       Exempt Resources

• Clarified if someone owns two properties not separated by intervening property owned by others, they are still considered two separate properties unless both properties have been joined legally in to one property

MS 602-4(E)       Deductions

• Updated the FFY 2023 homeless shelter deduction released by FNS

MS 602-4(F)       Child Support Deduction

• Clarified income verification from third parties such as on a pay stub or the UIB interface that show a child support garnishment, is not sufficient to show that child support is legally obligated.  

MS 604-3       Reporting and Acting on Changes During the Certification Period

• Clarified in situations where multiple changes are reported and we only have needed verification for some, but not all changes, we should work the changes where we have all needed verification, and take action to pend for the rest of the verification that is needed.  

Addendum 4       SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Standards and Maximum Allotments

• Updated the FFYFederal Fiscal Year 2023 maximum allotments and utility standards released by FNSFood and Nutrition Service

Addendum 9       Approved Substance Abuse Programs

• Teen Challenge Pacific NW Adult and Teen Alaska CA added a new location that is considered a FNS approved substance abuse program.  Added new location

Addendum 11       Countable and Excluded Income for SNAP

• Added new addendum similar to MAGI Addendum 3 showing exmpales of different incomes and whether they are considered countable income