STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance 

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   2016-5

MANUAL:   Alaska Food Stamp Program

DATE:   December 1, 2016

This year Social Security announced a 0.3% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increase effective January 1, 2017.  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 (907)465-3328 or email dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 602-1C IDENTITY

• Removed SVES (State Verification Exchange System) as a verification source for identity.

• Added information about accepting a Medicaid determination as acceptable verification for identity.  Change based on several inquiries and a FNS Policy announcement from 3/18/2014 titled, “SNAP and ACA Parts I and II Memo.”

·         Added a hyperlink to MAGI MS 808-6 F. – Proof of Identity Only.

MS 602-2 B EXEMPT RESOURCES

·         Added ABLE accounts to list of excluded resources for SNAP.

MS 604-3(A) SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTING

·         Added clarification to semi-annual reporting section that all changes reported on any case should be worked for SNAP cases.

MS 605-2(D) CASES REQUIRING SPECIALIZED PROCEDURES

·         Removed language from the first example in section 605-2(D.)(6.)(b.) that implies income can be prospected based on draws or advances.  Change made based on a policy clarification previously sent and manual not updated – emails dated 10/20/16 and 12/29/15.

MS 605-7(F) PFD AT APPLICATION

·         Removed the term Family Medicaid and replaced it with MAGI Medicaid.

ADDENDUM 1 CITY AND VILLAGE CLASSIFICATION

•      Updated the city of Barrow with their new name, “Utqiagvik.”

ADDENDUM 2 ABAWD WORK REQUIREMENT EXEMPT & NON-EXEMPT    

·         Updated the city of Barrow with their new name, “Utqiagvik.”

ADDENDUM 5 LIST OF INCOME AND RESOURCES EXCLUDED BY OTHER FEDERAL LAWS 

• Updated list of Native funds that are excluded by Federal Law.
• Re-Organized addendum so that list of income and resources excluded by other federal laws now reads from most recent to oldest.

ADDENDUM 8  LIST OF COMMUNITIES BY CENSUS AREAS

·         Updated the city of Barrow with their new name, “Utqiagvik.”