STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #63
MANUAL: Adult Public Assistance
DATE: December 1, 2021
This year Social Security announced a 5.9% Cost of Living Allowance (COLACost of Living Allowance) increase effective January 2022. We have incorporated the 2022 standards into the examples and Addendum 1. These standards become effective with the benefit month of January 2022. 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 also made several changes to incorporate new policy, clarify existing policy, and align policies within our program policy manuals. Other changes are either technical in nature or clarifications that are the result of policy questions or suggestions from the field.
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
- Clarified that telephonic applications and telephonically recorded application signatures are accepted through the Virtual Call Center (VCC)
- Revised note to clarify that for paper applications, the signature must either be telephonically recorded by a caseworker through the VCC or a "wet signature"
410-3(A) WHEN IS AN INTERVIEW REQUIRED
- Clarified that individuals who only receive APAAdult Public Assistance/MED benefits that also receive any amount of SSISupplemental Security Income are not required to complete an annual interview. If they apply for additional programs or stop receiving SSISupplemental Security Income, they are required to complete the annual interview requirement.
426-4 INTERIM ASSISTANCE SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION
- Clarified that Interim Assistance should be terminated if the recipient becomes ineligible due to excess income
433-1 TRANSFER OF RESOURCES
- Updated all examples within the chapter to reflect the new 2022 standards
433-2(A) ELIGIBILITY FOR CONDITIONAL BENEFITS
- Updated the SSISupplemental Security Income payment standard to the new 2022 amount in order to accurately calculate if an applicant is eligible for conditional benefits.
433-4 ABLEAchieving a Better Life Experience ACCOUNTS
- Updated 2022 Max Allowable contribution for certain ABLEAchieving a Better Life Experience account holders
- Added payback provision policy and procedures
452-1 PAYMENT CALCULATIONS
- Updated all examples within the section to reflect the new 2022 standards
452-5 COMPUTATION OF BENEFITS
- Updated Assisted Living Home example to reflect the new 2022 standards
452-7(D) DEATH OF RECIPIENT
- Revised subsection to include cancellations of outstanding payments
- Linked to Admin MS 121-15
452-10(B) TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO APAAdult Public Assistance CONVERSIONS
- Updated examples to reflect the new 2022 standards
452-12 RETROACTIVE APAAdult Public Assistance BENEFIT CALCULATIONS
- Updated examples to reflect the new 2022 standards
460-5 INCOME ALLOCATIONS
- Updated all examples within the chapter to reflect the new 2022 standards
480-1 REVIEWS
- Added a link to APA MS 410 for application and signature requirements
482-1 UNDERPAYMENTS
- Clarified that underpayments in the current month should be processed regardless of the amount
482-2(G) COORDINATION WITH SSISupplemental Security Income
- Revised section to clarify that the SSASocial Security Administration should be notified when it appears an SSISupplemental Security Income recipient has received benefits they are not entitled to and APAAdult Public Assistance over-payments will be pursued
Addendum 1
- Updated the program standards based on the 2022 COLACost of Living Allowance change