STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   MC #48

MANUAL:  Adult Public Assistance

DATE:  December 1, 2016

This year Social Security announced a Cost of Living Allowance (COLACost of Living Allowance) increase effective January 2017.  The Adult Public Assistance need and maximum payment standards are adjusted by the same percentage as the COLACost of Living Allowance increase in Social Security benefits.  This year the COLACost of Living Allowance increase is 0.3%.  We have incorporated the 2017 standards into the examples and Addendum 1.  These standards become effective with the benefit month of January 2017.  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.

Highlights of these policy revision are described below.  If you have any questions contact the Policy and Program Development Team at email dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 423-3B OTHER STATE'S MEDICAID BENEFITS

• Corrected link from FM MS 5012-E to MAGI Medicaid MS 809-F.

MS 426-8C ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

• Renamed and revised language to clarify that individual's may be eligible for MAGIModified Adjusted Gross Income Medicaid while receiving Interim Assistance and added a link to the MAGIModified Adjusted Gross Income Medicaid manual.  Also, deleted old language regarding Interim Assistance counts as income for Medicaid as this is old Family Medicaid policy.

MS 433-4  ABLE ACCOUNTS

• Added new subsection for the policy regarding ABLEAchieving a Better Life Experience accounts.