I would like to join Governor Murkowski in honoring each of you by designating Public Assistance Workers Appreciation Week, July 13-19, 2003. The important work of case managers, support service staff, supervisors, administrative support personnel, employment specialists and others is not always apparent to the public. However, the people you help achieve self-sufficiency, or those unable to work whom you help with financial assistance, medical assistance or other services, know first-hand of your work. It is an art to be able to give aid, to lend a hand without building dependence, and to respect and preserve the dignity of those whom we serve. For your great success at this vital job, and for your contributions to the people of this State, I offer my sincerest thanks and congratulations.

We have added the new application for the Alaska Senior Assistance Program to the DPA Public website. It is available as a Adobe Acrobat PDF document for the public to print out and mail in.

There is also a Frequently Asked Questions page that answers many common questions about the program.

Public hearings to be held statewide

Emergency regulations for the Alaska Senior Assistance Program, a new safely net program for needy seniors, took effect July 1, 2003. The Alaska Senior Assistance Program is a needs-based benefit program that offers $120 per month to all Alaskan seniors age 65 or older who meet certain eligibility requirements.

The regulations give specific guidance for implementing the new program. Copies of the regulations, as well as additional information on the Senior Assistance Program, can be found on the Division of Public Assistance (DPA) web page at http://health.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/.

Eligible seniors will receive their final Longevity Bonus checks in August 2003. With that check, they will receive information about a new program called the Alaska Senior Assistance Program (ASAP). The ASAP is not a replacement for the Longevity Bonus, but it will help soften the blow to some seniors who are losing the bonus.

The Alaska Senior Assistance Program is a temporary program that will provide $120 a month to Alaska seniors age 65 or older who meet certain income and asset tests.

On July 1, 2003, the statewide reorganization became effective. We welcome our new staff at the Anchorage Childcare Program Office and Kevin Henderson and Kathy Ensor to the DPA team. As part of the division