MEMORANDUM

DATE: December 1, 2005

TO: All Temporary Assistance Manual Holders

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

SUBJECT: Temporary Assistance Manual Change #16

Each year the Temporary Assistance income eligibility standards are adjusted by the same percentage as the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increase in Social Security benefits. This year the COLACost of Living Allowance increase is 4.1%. This manual change incorporates the 2006 standards, which become effective with the benefit month of January 2006. The change in the income eligibility standards causes:

• An increase in the ratable reduction to 29.37%, paying 70.63% of need,
• An increase in the amount of the maximum shelter allowance, and
• An increase in the countable income of an SSISupplemental Security Income child who is included in the assistance unit.

A number of other updates are included:

• Policy regarding ineligibility for Alaska Temporary Assistance if the family is eligible to be served by a Native Family Assistance Program.
• A change in how the value of a vehicle may be verified, in response to requests from staff.
• Clarification concerning exemptions from the development of income requirement for Unemployment Insurance Benefits.
• Clarifications to reflect the broadcast on 9/30/05 concerning how utility allowances are treated when determining shelter expenses.
• Information relating to Medicare Part D and the Low-Income Subsidy.
• Several minor clarifications and technical changes.

Highlights of these policy revisions are described below.

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

MS 710-3, Disqualifying Conditions

• Incorporates policy that a family is not eligible for assistance if an adult is included who is participating in a strike. This policy was previously provided in Chapter 721, which is being removed from the manual.

MS 710-4, Native Family Assistance Programs and Eligibility for Alaska Temporary Assistance

• Adds policy regarding a family's ineligibility for Alaska Temporary Assistance if they live within the service area of a Native Family Assistance Program and are eligible to be served by that program.
• Provides policy that a family who would otherwise be served by a Native Family Assistance Program may request services from the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program if they can demonstrate that "special circumstances" exist.

MS 719-1, Self-Sufficiency Planning Requirement

• Clarifies that the father in a Pregnant Woman case is required to develop, sign and comply with a Family Self-Sufficiency Plan.

MS 752-10 E, Vehicles

• Changes policy to allow caseworkers to accept the family's stated value of a vehicle when the family provides an explanation of why the value is lower than the assigned value, and the explanation is not questionable. Thanks to the Mat-Su staff for their persistence requesting this policy change!

MS 755, Development of Income

• Clarifies that an individual who is exempt from work activities is not required to apply for and pursue UIBUnemployment Insurance Benefits income. This policy was inadvertently omitted in a prior revision to this chapter.
• Removes policy that requires a family to apply for a Native Family Assistance Program if they are eligible to be served by that program, which is now addressed by Chapter 710.

MS 757-21, Prescription Drug Discounts and Subsidies

• Adds the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy and SeniorCare prescription drug benefit as exempt income.

MS 770-4, Diversion

• Provides additional guidance for supplemental Diversion payments for unexpected short-term needs. Financial eligibility does not have to be redetermined, but the family's circumstances must not have significantly changed since the initial Diversion payment.

Chapter 780, Payments

• Updates the ratable reduction percentage and the examples of payment calculations to reflect the 2006 Cost of Living adjustment.

MS 780-19, Shelter Costs

• Clarifies that costs covered by Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher subsidies, Alaska Power Cost Equalization Program payments, and past due expenses previously billed are not allowable shelter expenses.
• Clarifies that the amount designated as a utility allowance is not allowed as a rent expense for families in public housing or getting Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher subsides.
• Clarifies that families in public housing or that receive Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher subsidies who are charged for heating or non-heating utility costs are entitled to the heating or non-heating utility standard.
• Clarifies that families are allowed condominium fees in addition to the heating or non-heating utility standard even when the condominium fee includes costs for utilities.
• Adds several examples of acceptable verification of shelter costs.

Addendum 2, Temporary Assistance Income Standards

Updates the income eligibility standards and maximum shelter allowances for 2006.