MEMORANDUM

DATE:          September 1, 2005

TO:               All Adult Public Assistance Manual Holders

FROM:         Policy and Program Development Team

                      Ellie Fitzjarrald, Chief

SUBJECT: Adult Public Assistance Manual Change #11

In our continuing effort to simplify and align policy across programs where possible, we are pleased to introduce a new Application Process chapter. To the extent that we can, we are presenting policy in the same format and language in the Food Stamp, Adult Public Assistance, Alaska Temporary Assistance, and Family Medicaid program manuals.

This manual change incorporates clarifications to the estimating income policy as a result of discussions during the 2005 Learning Summits, implements new policy for three resource exclusions and changes the definition of income.  Also included are updates to the Table of Contents, Appendix 1, the Index, and other minor technical changes. Highlights of the 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 e-mail us at dpapolicy@health.state.ak.us.  

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

Chapter 410, Application Process

• Reorganizes the sections in the chapter and aligns policy with other programs where possible.
  
• Incorporates policy relating to fee agent applications and applications from remote areas.
  
• Adds policy for accepting Native Family Assistance Program (NFAP)  application forms and interviews.
  
• Clarifies that the Gen 72 , Eligibility Review Form, may be used as an initial application form only if received in the month following the end of the review period.
  
• Clarifies that an application can still be used when denied for failure to provide verification or attend an interview, if, within 30 days of the application date, the applicant provides the necessary information or reschedules the interview.
  
• Clarifies that changes in household members reported before the application is processed are considered in the determination.

MSManual Section 432-2A, One Automobile

Effective immediately, one automobile per household may be excluded from resources regardless of value if it is used for transportation of the individual or couple, or a member of the individual’s or couple’s household. This policy change is the result of a change in SSISupplemental Security Income policy that occurred on April 1, 2005.  

MSManual Section 432-2D, Funds Set Aside for Burial

Beginning September 1, 2005, policy for the burial funds exclusion is changed to describe the earliest date on which the exclusion applies. This change only applies to burial fund determinations made on or after September 1, 2005. Burial funds that were excluded under previous policies will continue to be excluded from resources.  

In addition, burial funds that are used for another purpose will no longer cause the burial funds exclusion to end.

MSManual Section 432-2E, Household Goods and Personal Effects

Effective immediately, the $2,000 limit for this resource exclusion is eliminated. These items are now totally excluded from resources, regardless of their value. However, personal property that a person acquires or holds because of its value or as an investment still count as a resource. This policy change is the result of a change in SSISupplemental Security Income policy that occurred on April 1, 2005.

MSManual Section 440-1, Income Defined

Federal SSISupplemental Security Income regulations were amended effective March 9, 2005 to change the definition of income. Previous policy defined income as money that could be used to meet a person’s needs for food, clothing, or shelter. This change removes the term "clothing" from the definition of income. This policy change was previously implemented by a broadcast announcement to staff on April 19, 2005.

MSManual Section 440-4, Determining the Household’s Monthly Income

• Revises the section to incorporate policy clarifications and examples for estimating a full month’s income when the income is new or has changed.
  
• Adds an example for a partial month’s income due to a change that occurs during the month.

Manual Change Filing Instructions