STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health 

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: 2023-02

MANUAL: Heating Assistance Program

DATE: September 1, 2023

Several sections of the Heating Assistance Program Policy Manual have been revised in order to incorporate new policy, clarify existing policy, and align policies within our division's policy manuals.

If you have questions, please contact the Policy & Program Development Team at hss.dpa.policy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 3000            INTRODUCTIONS AND DEFINITIONS

• Clarified clients living in non-subsidized housing where heat is included in the rental payment will be issued a direct payment if they are determined eligible for a benefit.

MS 3000-1 E.       DISCLOSURES AND USE OF INFORMATION

• Clarified that client information can be disclosed to Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

MS 3000-2         DEFINITIONS

• Clarified that a vendor may require a pledge to be submitted in writing.
• Removed the definition of "shelter costs" in relation to expedite criteria, as it is no longer used to determine eligibility for expedited processing.
• Clarified what expenses are considered to be under the "Home Heating Costs" deduction.

MS 3001-5 C.       EXPEDITE PROCESSING OF THE APPLICATION

• Removed references to shelter costs as they are no longer a factor of eligibility for expedited processing.
• Added "medically necessary" as a factor of eligibility for expedited processing.

MS 3002-1 A.        ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS

• Clarified how to determine if heat is included in the rental payment.
• Clarified how to determine a HAP household.
• Clarified how to determine a Boarder/Room Renter.

MS 3003-4 E.        SELF-EMPLOYMENT ANNUALIZATION STANDARD

• Revised the self-employment annualization standards, based on the January 2023 Federal Register Notice.

MS 3004-5          GRANT COMPUTATION

• Clarified that the 50% deduction for living in subsidized housing while receiving a utility allowance is applied to the point count total and not the total benefit amount.
• Updated FY2023 to FY2024.
• Updated the benefit rate to $175 per point.

MS 3005-1 A.        CRITERIA FOR EXPEDITED PROCESSING

• Added "medical necessity" as a factor of eligibility for expedited processing.

MS 3005-1 B.        EXPEDITED TIME FRAMES

• Changed expedited processing time frames in response to Federal audit recommendations.

MS 3007-1           SUBSIDIZED HEAT AND APPLICATION PROCESSING

• Clarified that the 50 percent deduction for living in subsidized housing while receiving a utility allowance is applied to the point count total and not the total benefit amount.

MS 3008-1           TIME FRAMES

• Changed expedited processing time frames in response to federal audit recommendations.
• Added note clarifying how long a client has to use their grant.

MS 3008-4           METHODS OF PAYMENT

• Clarified that direct payments are issued to a client when home heating and electric costs are paid indirectly through a current non-subsidized rental payment.

MS 3008-6           GRANT TRANSFERS

• Clarified that clients are required to submit copies of their new primary heating fuel and electric billing statements when requesting a grant transfer.
• Clarified that clients that move into subsidized housing where heat is included in the rent do not qualify for a grant transfer or direct payment.
• Added note clarifying how long a client has to use their grant.

Addendum B      HAP TRIBAL PROVIDERS

• Updated tribal provider information for FFYFederal Fiscal Year 2024.

Addendum E      INCOME GUIDELINES

• Updated the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines for FFYFederal Fiscal Year 2024.