Alaska received a statewide waiver from work requirements for food stamp recipients, State Health Commissioner Adam Crum said in a Wednesday press availability.
Commissioner Crum told reporters the waiver would help provide assistance to those who are eligible and that the program would be in place during “the duration of this response.”
He added: “The SNAP program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, we did just accept – from the Feds – a statewide waiver exempting all work requirements from that. So, individuals who are eligible for that can actually have access to good food security.”
Governor Mike Dunleavy, last week, declared a public health disaster emergency as part of the state’s COVID-19 response preparations. During a Wednesday afternoon news conference, Dr. Anne Zink, the state’s Chief Medical Officer, announced three new cases of the virus that she said were travel related.
Shawnda O’Brien, director of the Division of Public Assistance, said the state has been working with federal officials to find ways to relax some requirements for public assistance programs amid the coronavirus concerns, including work requirements under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is also known as food stamps.
O’Brien: “Our teams are working on implementation for all recipients of the SNAP program for the duration of the state’s efforts in dealing with the effects of the virus.”
For more information on how to apply for Alaska’s SNAP assistance, visit their online portal.