STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #33
MANUAL: Adult Public Assistance
DATE: March 1, 2012
We are making several changes clarifying existing policy as a result of suggestions from the field.
Highlights to policy revisions are described below. If you have any questions please contact the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3382 or email dpapolicy@alaska.gov.
OVERVIEW OF CHANGES
MS 421-4 Five-Year Waiting Period
Adds a new section and examples to demonstrate when benefits begin at the end of the 5 year waiting period.
MS 425-1(1) Blindness
Clarifies that if a person meets the APA program's blindness criteria, SGA is not a factor in determining their eligibility for APA. The APA program only considers SGA for disability determinations (not blindness).
MS 425-2(D) State-Only Blindness or Disability Decisions
Clarifies that caseworker should not make a SGA determination on applicants or recipients that have a currently disability (diary date). SGA is only determined if the applicant or recipient is no longer disabled and the disability must be determined by the DDS.
MS 431-2(F) Trust Property
Adds Letter D. for QIT also known as Miller’s trust. The QIT does not protect income or resources for APA. If funds are retained in the trust, and those funds exceed the APA program’s resources limit, there is no APA eligibility.
MS 452-10(B) Temporary Assistance to APA Conversions
Adds 2 more examples involving families with income and how to calculate the APA recipient’s share for 1P and 2P HH once approved for APA.
MS 460-7 Special Rules for a Spouse in the Military
Adds SAVE pay to the list of excluded military income.
MS 470-1 Ineligible Institutions
Adds a note about Alcohol and substance abuse treatment centers are not ineligible institutions for APA purposes. Residence may receive regular APA or IA benefits and remain budgeted as A1E HH.
MS 480-1(B) Reviews for SSI Recipients
Adds language to indicate that because the APA and SSI programs use the same eligibility requirements, it is only necessary for EIS to confirm that the individual is an Alaska resident and still receives SSI. This is considered to be enough proof that the individual remains eligible for APA. The caseworker may ask the individual to provide any additional information if needed to determine eligibility.
Addendum 2 Entitlements Table
Correct SAVE pay to indicate it is not countable income. This is considered combat pay.