STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MCManual Change #71
MANUAL: Adult Public Assistance
DATE: December 2, 2024
This year Social Security announced a 2.5% Cost of Living Allowance (COLACost of Living Allowance) increase effective January 2025. We have incorporated the 2025 standards into the examples and Addendum 1. The COLACost of Living Allowance adjustment also causes:
- An increase in the income limit for Substantial Gainful Activity; and
- An increase in the student earned income exclusion.
We are making several changes to incorporate new policy and clarify existing policy.
Highlights of these policy revision are described below. If you have any questions, contact the Policy & Program Development Team at hss.dpa.policy@alaska.gov.
OVERVIEW OF CHANGES
410 Application Process
- Revised to allow for digital and handwritten signatures created on an electronic device (finger/stylus to screen).
410-2 The Application Form
- Revised section to include other application methods.
426-8 Eligibility for Medical Assistance
- Removed reference to CAMAChronic and Acute Medical Assistance from this section as the program ended June 30, 2024.
433-1 Transfer of Resources
- Updated all examples within the chapter to reflect the new 2025 standards.
433-2(A) Eligibility for Conditional Benefits
- Updated all examples within the chapter to reflect the new 2025 standards.
440-1 Income Defined
- Due to Social Security rule change effective September 30, 2024, removed food from in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) calculations.
440-3(A) The Value of In-Kind Support and Maintenance
- Due to Social Security rule change effective September 30, 2024, removed food from in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) calculations.
450-2 Living Independently (SSISupplemental Security Income "A" Living Arrangement)
- Due to Social Security rule change effective September 30, 2024, removed food from in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) calculations.
450-3 Living in Another's Household (SSISupplemental Security Income "B" Living Arrangement
- Due to Social Security rule change effective September 30, 2024, removed food from in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) calculations.
450-4 Living in Assisted Living Home
- Revised note regarding how to find the LTCLong Term Care Assisted Home list as this is no longer posted on the ET Resources SharePoint site.
452-1 Payment Calculation
- Updated all examples within the chapter to reflect the new 2025 standards.
452-5 Computation of Benefits
- Updated Assisted Living Home example to reflect the new 2025 standards.
452-10(B) Temporary Assistance to APA Conversions
- Updated examples to reflect the new 2025 standards.
452-12 Retroactive APA Benefit Calculations
- Updated examples to reflect the new 2025 standards.
460-5 Income Allocations
- Updated all examples within the chapter to reflect the new 2025 standards.
Addendum 1
- Updated the program based on the 2025 COLA standards.