780-3 CALCULATING THE PAYMENT AMOUNT
To determine the amount of an ATAP benefit payment:
If the TA family's monthly shelter costs are equal to or greater than the maximum shelter allowance, the family will receive the full allowance. The Need Standard is not reduced. (Example A below.)
If the family's shelter costs are less than the maximum shelter allowance, the family will receive an allowance equal to its allowable costs. The Need Standard is reduced by the difference between the family's shelter costs and the maximum shelter allowance. (Example B below.)
If the TA family does not incur shelter expenses, it will not receive any shelter allowance. The Need Standard is reduced by the maximum shelter allowance. (Example C below.)
Note:
If a member of the assistance unit is subject to a financial penalty, the penalty amount listed in ATAP MS 723-4 is subtracted from the family's need before the ratable reduction is applied.
| Example A - Shelter Costs Are Higher Than Shelter Allowance: | |
| The TA family includes two parents and one child. Both parents are physically and mentally able to perform gainful activity (UP 03). They live in Fairbanks in subsidized housing and pay $308 rent, and an average of $175 per month for all utilities, including electric heat. The regional heating utility standard for Fairbanks is $598. The TA family's only other source of income is $400/month in unemployment benefits. | |
| Household Type and size (UP 03) |
1/1/2024* |
| Shelter Allowance Calculation | |
| Need Standard | $1,812.00 |
| Calculate Portion of Need Designated for Shelter Costs: | x 30 % |
| Maximum Shelter Allowance: | $543.00 |
| Shelter Costs | |
| Rent: | $308.00 |
| Regional Heating Utility Standard: | + 811.00 |
| Total Shelter Costs: | $1,119.00 |
| Shelter Adjustment Calculation | |
| Maximum Shelter Allowance: | $ 543.00 |
| Shelter Costs: | - 1,119.00 |
| Shelter Adjustment: | $ 0.00 |
| Grant Calculation | |
| UP 03 Need Standard: | $1,812.00 |
| Shelter Adjustment: | - 0.00 |
| Adjusted Need: | $1,812.00 |
| Net Countable Income: | - 400.00 |
| Need: | $1,412.00 |
| Percent of Need Payable: | x 54.62 % |
| Payment (Rounded down): | $ 771.00 |
| Seasonal Reduction Calculation | |
| (For July, August, and September only) | |
| ATAP benefit payment: | $771.00 |
| Percent of Seasonal Reduction: | x 50 % |
| ATAP benefit payment (Rounded down): | $385.00 |
| * Calculations are based on 2024 Need Standards. | |
| Example B - Shelter Costs Are Less Than Shelter Allowance: | |
| The TA family includes a single mother (age 18 or older) and her child (AI 02). She lives at home with her parents and works part-time. Her net countable earnings are $300 per month. Her only shelter expense is $28 a month for a personal telephone. Her parents pay all other shelter costs. The TA mother is eligible for the telephone utility standard. The telephone standard in this region/community is $34/month. Since the telephone standard is higher than the actual monthly expense, the standard is used to calculate the shelter allowance. | |
| Family Type and size (AI 02) | 1/1/2024* |
| Shelter Allowance Calculation | |
| Need Standard: | $1,812.00 |
| Calculate Portion of Need Designated for Shelter Costs: | x 30 % |
| Maximum Shelter Allowance: | $543.00 |
| Shelter Costs | |
| Telephone Utility Standard: | $ 34.00 |
| Total Shelter Costs: | $ 34.00 |
| Shelter Adjustment Calculation | |
| Maximum Shelter Allowance: | $543.00 |
| Shelter Costs: | - 34.00 |
| Shelter Adjustment: | $509.00 |
| Grant Calculation | |
| AI 02 Need Standard: | $1,812.00 |
| Shelter Adjustment: | - 509.00 |
| Adjusted Need: | $1,303.00 |
| Net Countable Income: | - 300.00 |
| Need: | $1,003.00 |
| Percent of Need Payable | x 54.62 % |
| Payment (Rounded down): | $547.00 |
| * Calculations are based on 2024 Need Standards. | |
| Example C - No Shelter Costs: | |
| The TA family includes single mother (age 18 or older) and her two children (AI 03). She attends community college and lives with her parents. She is not paying for any rent or utility expenses. The ATAP benefit payment is the family's only source of income. | |
| Family Type and size (AI 03) |
1/1/2024* |
| Shelter Allowance Calculation | |
| Need Standard: | $2,040.00 |
| Calculate Portion of Need Designated for Shelter Costs: | x 30 % |
| Maximum Shelter Allowance: | $612.00 |
| Shelter Costs | $0.00 |
| Shelter Adjustment Calculation | |
| Maximum Shelter Allowance: | $612.00 |
| Shelter Costs: | - 0.00 |
| Shelter Adjustment: | $612.00 |
| Grant Calculation | |
| AI 03 Need Standard: | $2,040.00 |
| Shelter Adjustment: | - 612.00 |
| Adjusted Need: | $1,428.00 |
| Net Countable Income: | - 0.00 |
| Need: | $1,428.00 |
| Percent of Need Payable | x 54.62 % |
| Payment (Rounded down): | $779.00 |
| * Calculations are based on 2024 Need Standards. | |
| Previous Section | ||
| MC #76 (12/23) |