New Alaska law increases SNAP eligibility

(The Center Square) - A bill increasing eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that had the backing of Gov. Mike Dunleavy went into effect without his signature, according to a news release from the Alaska Senate Majority.

House Bill 344 raises the income threshold for SNAP from 130% of the Alaska poverty standard to 200%.

The Alaska poverty standard is $39,000 for a family of four, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .

"The SNAP program is a crucial tool for low-income households, but the income threshold was too low," said Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage. "As a result, people in need were going hungry, or, in some cases, people were forced to turn down a better paying job because the pay difference was not enough to make-up for the lost food benefits."

The bill also expands Medicaid reimbursement to all eligible students, not just those with disabilities or with an Individualized Education Plan.

"The students that will be helped are already eligible for Medicaid," said Sen. Loki Tobin, D-Anchorage. "HB344 simply allows health care services to be given to students in a more convenient location, which is often their school."

The bill is not expected to affect the state's coffers.

"The outcome of that negotiation will require the Department of Health to return to the Alaska Legislature to discuss outcomes and fiscal impacts," the bill's fiscal note states. "The Department of Health has resources to complete the CMS waiver process and negotiations. This results in a zero fiscal impact."