STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health

Division of Public Assistance 

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   2024-01

MANUAL:   Alaska Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

DATE:   April 1, 2024

We revised the self-employment annualization table based on changes in the FPLFederal Poverty Level effective April 1, 2024. 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           Application Process

• Clarified programs added to the original application can only be added if the interview is conducted timely (30 days, or 7 days for SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program expedites)

MS 601-2(A)       The Application Form

• Added information regarding the SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Online Application

MS 601-4       Verification

• Clarified we can only use income verification received from The Work Number after the client has reported income from the employer

MS 602-1(B)       Residency

• Clarified a SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipient may be temporarily out of state.  There is not a specified period before someone loses Alaska residency. 

MS 602-1(F)       Work Requirements

• Created and added a workflow chart for clarity on work requirement procedures

MS 602-2(B)      Exempt Resources

• Clarified monies withdrawn for purposes outside of allowable education expenses from 529 College Savings Plans are considered countable resources in the month withdrawn and may cause ineligibility if retained

MS 602-3(B)       Unearned Income

• Updated the lottery and gambling winnings limit that was increased due to the 2024 SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program COLACost of Living Allowance

MS 604-3      Recertification

• Clarified the GEN 50CApplication for Services form can be used to recertify if submitted in the month or the month prior to the month the certification period ends

MS 604-4      Reporting and Acting on Changed During the Certification Period

• Updated the lottery and gambling winnings limit that was increased due to the 2024 SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program COLACost of Living Allowance

MS 604-4(E)      Adding a Member to the Household 

• Clarified when to add newborn to a SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program case during an existing certification period

MS 604-5(D)      Adverse Actions Requiring No Notice

• Clarified the requirement for advanced notice of adverse action in COLACost of Living Allowance mass change situations

MS 605-1(D)      Institutions

• Removed the link to the SharePoint site

MS 605-2(D)(7)      Annualization Determination

• Updated the Self-Employment Annualization Standards to reflect updated FPLFederal Poverty Level effective April 2024

MS 605-3(B)      Expedite Service

• Clarified felony questions need to be answered prior to authorizing SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits