MEMORANDUM

DATE:          December 1, 2005

TO:               Adult Public Assistance Manual Holders

FROM:         Policy and Program Development Team

                      Ellie Fitzjarrald, Chief

SUBJECT: Adult Public Assistance Manual Change #13

Each year Adult Public Assistance need and maximum payment standards are adjusted to reflect the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA Cost of Living Allowance) increase in Social Security benefits.  This year the COLA Cost of Living Allowance increase is 4.1%.  This manual change incorporates the 2006 standards, which become effective with the benefit month of January 2006.  The COLA Cost of Living Allowance adjustment also causes:

• An increase in the income limit for Substantial Gainful Activity, and

• An increase in the earned income exclusion of a blind and disabled student child.

A number of other updates are included:

• Revisions to Interim Assistance policies that were previously issued via e-mail broadcast on September 14, 2005.

• Increase in the time period during which a completed Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR Interim Assistance Reimbursement) Agreement must be distributed.

• A change in how the value of a vehicle may be verified, in response to requests from staff.  

Highlights of these policy revisions are described below.  If you have any questions, please contact any member of the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3347 or email dpapolicy@health.state.ak.us.  

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS Manual Section 426-2C, Interim Blindness or Disability Determination

This section is updated to reflect recent litigation that temporarily rescinds the secondary medical screening process for Interim Assistance approvals.  This section was previously updated via broadcast on September 14, 2005.

MS Manual Section 426-3B(3), Notification of a Signed IAR Interim Assistance Reimbursement Authorization

Instead of 10 working days, caseworkers have 30 calendar days to distribute a completed IAR Interim Assistance Reimbursement Authorization form to the Social Security Administration, the client, and the case file.

MS Manual Section 432-2A(5), Verification

Changes policy to allow caseworkers to accept the household’s stated value of a vehicle when the household provides a explanation of why the value is lower than the assigned value, and the explanation is not questionable.  Thanks to the Mat-Su staff for their persistence in requesting this policy change!

MANUAL CHANGE FILING INSTRUCTIONS