426-1        OVERVIEW OF INTERIM ASSISTANCE
 

Interim Assistance was established as a special subcategory of APAAdult Public Assistance in order to provide for the basic needs of APAAdult Public Assistance applicants who must concurrently apply for the SSISupplemental Security Income program.  These applicants are not eligible for full APAAdult Public Assistance and Medicaid benefits until they become eligible for SSISupplemental Security Income .  Because the SSISupplemental Security Income program operates without mandatory processing timeframes, SSISupplemental Security Income applicants frequently must wait many weeks for a decision on their eligibility.  In addition, many SSISupplemental Security Income applicants are initially denied SSISupplemental Security Income benefits and pursue a lengthy administrative appeal process before being found eligible.  Interim Assistance provides a source of monthly income during the period of time while SSISupplemental Security Income eligibility is being determined.

Although IAInterim Assistance payments are made from APAAdult Public Assistance funds, IAInterim Assistance benefits are different from regular APAAdult Public Assistance benefits because receipt of IAInterim Assistance does not convey automatic eligibility for Medicaid benefits.    IAInterim Assistance payments are made to individuals whose applications for APAAdult Public Assistance and Medicaid are being held, pending a final decision on their eligibility for SSISupplemental Security Income benefits.  The decision on the SSISupplemental Security Income application then forms the basis of the decision on the APAAdult Public Assistance and Medicaid application.

Another aspect of Interim Assistance which differs from Alaska's other public assistance programs is that there is no specific IAInterim Assistance application requirement.  A client does not apply for IAInterim Assistance benefits; instead, the client applies for APAAdult Public Assistance and the case worker determines whether or not to place the applicant into the Interim Assistance program.  Eligibility to receive Interim Assistance benefits is based on a number of factors which are explained in this chapter.