MEMORANDUM

DATE: May 1, 2004

TO: All Temporary Assistance Manual Holders

FROM: Policy & Program Development Team, Ellie Fitzjarrald, Chief

SUBJECT: Temporary Assistance Manual Change #11

This manual change implements two new policies that align with Food Stamp program policy: the process for decreasing benefits as the result of a report of change, before complete verification is obtained; and waiving proof of enumeration and the citizenship status declaration for a newborn until the next review.

This manual change also incorporates the self-employment income policy simplifications and improvements that were announced by broadcast on April 15, 2004. It provides an updated index and includes other clarifications and technical corrections.

If you have any questions, please contact any member of the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3347 or email dpapolicy@health.state.ak.us.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

Section 713-1, Citizenship Status Declaration

Adds policy allowing a newborn to be added to an ongoing Temporary Assistance case without a Citizenship Status Declaration form, delaying the need for obtaining this form until the next review.

Section 717-3, Child Support Cooperation

Clarifies that recipients are required to complete a Child Support Information form (GEN 53) when adding a child to the assistance unit.

Section 718-1, Social Security Enumeration Requirements

Clarifies that children born in Alaska are presumed to be enumerated at birth, and that verification of enumeration does not need to be obtained until the next review.

Chapter 719, The Family Self-Sufficiency Plan

Removes information about the development of the FSSPFamily Self-Sufficiency Plan. All material about development of the plan and activities that are included in the plan are being moved to the online Work Services Handbook, which is scheduled for release later this month. In the interim, staff and service providers should continue to use the Work Services policy guidance for developing an FSSPFamily Self-Sufficiency Plan that was issued by broadcast on January 27, 2004.

Chapter 757, Exempt Income

Moves policy exempting the earned income of a dependent child from Chapter 759 to section 757-20.

Section 759-5, Income From Self-Employment

• Adds the self-employment income policy simplifications that were implemented by broadcast on April 15, 2004 regarding fish price adjustments and the annualization determination.
• Updates the annualization standards, effective April 1, 2004.
• Reorganizes sections to align with the format of the Food Stamp and Medical Assistance manuals.

Chapter 790, Case Maintenance

• Adds new policy for acting on changes that decrease benefits, before complete verification is received.
• Clarifies the process for acting on and verifying changes.
• Policies for acting on changes have been rewritten in both the Food Stamp and Temporary Assistance manuals to describe them in the same manner as much as possible.