STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #19
MANUAL: Alaska Temporary Assistance Manual
DATE: December 1, 2007
In conjunction with changes to the Adult Public Assistance, Medicaid, and Food Stamp manuals made in September, several sections in the application process chapter have been revised. Examples that referenced outdated Medicaid policy regarding the use of conversion factors when estimating income were removed.
We have changed the Alaska Temporary Assistance income eligibility and shelter allowance standards to reflect the annual Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) adjustments in Social Security benefits. The new standards are effective beginning with the benefit month of January 2008.
The regional heating and non-heating utility standards that went into effect October 1, 2007, and were issued by broadcast on September 1, 2007, have been updated. We have added references to federal and state laws and regulations governing the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program. As a result of questions and suggestions from field staff, several minor clarifications and technical changes were also made.
Highlights of these policy revisions are described below. If you have any questions, please contact the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3347 or email dpapolicy@alaska.gov.
OVERVIEW OF CHANGES
MS 700-1 General Information
- Add references to federal and state and regulations governing the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
MS 705 Application Process
- Adds "DPA-contracted" next to "fee agent" to clarify that only fee agents who have a contract with DPADivision of Public Assistance can interview the family
MS 705-2 C When is an Application Not Required?
- Adds that a new application is not needed when a family is not eligible for the first month but is eligible for the second month
MS 705-3 C Who Can Conduct the Interview?
- Adds "DPA-contracted" next to "fee agent" to clarify that only fee agents who have a contract with DPADivision of Public Assistance can interview the family
MS 705-3 E Interviews Conducted at the DPADivision of Public Assistance Office
- Clarifies that if the interview is held for other programs and the Temporary Assistance interview must be scheduled later, the applicant must be clearly informed of the need to return
- Clarifies that the office must schedule an interview if the family contacts the office within 30 days of the application filing date, even if a previous interview was never scheduled.
MS 705-4 B Information from Data Systems and EISEligibility Information System Interfaces
- Clarifies what is expected of a caseworker when checking information systems and interfaces. An example is included.
- Changes SeniorCare to Senior Benefits Program
MS 711-5 B Optional Members
- Removes reference to obsolete MS 705-8
MS 754-6 Resources of Alien Sponsors
- Changes Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)
MS 756-1 B Conversion Factors
- Removes reference to outdated Family Medicaid policy that prohibited the use of conversation factors when converted income caused Medicaid ineligibility
MS 756-1 C Estimating a Full Month's Income
- Removes references to outdated Family Medicaid policy that prohibited the use of conversion factors when converted income caused Medicaid ineligibility
MS 756-1 D Estimating a Partial Month's Income
- Removes references to outdated Family Medicaid policy that prohibited the use of conversion factors when converted income caused Medicaid ineligibility
MS 757-21 Prescription Drug Discounts and Subsidies
- Adds reference to the former Alaska SeniorCare Program
MS 775-2 Countable Income in Application Months
- Deletes section because policy is obsolete
MS 780-1 G Ratable Reduction
- Updates the percentage of need payable and ratable reduction amounts
MS 780-3 Calculating the Payment Amount
- Updates the examples of payment calculations to reflect the 2008 cost of living adjustment
MS 780-19 A Shelter Costs Allowed
- Adds policy that when a household lives in a vehicle, the car payment and insurance covering the car are allowed
MS 780-19 B Shelter Costs Not Allowed
- Adds policy that when a household lives in a vehicle, insurance costs for collision and medical are not allowed and gasoline costs are not allowed if the vehicle is used for transportation
MS 780-19 C Calculating Utility Costs
- Clarifies policy on giving the heating utility standard to heating assistance recipients
MS 780-19 F Shelter Costs Allowed for an Unoccupied Home
- Clarifies that unlike Food Stamp policy, shelter costs for both the unoccupied home and the temporary or secondary residence are not allowed
- Reformats section to clarify that there are two different situations addressed
MS 780-19 G Verification of Shelter Costs
- Clarifies that the caseworker can verify responsibility for utility costs through a contact with the landlord
- Adds information to verification table regarding receipt of heating assistance
MS 790-3 Acting on Reported Changes
- Clarifies that if a change needs to be processed, the caseworker must determine how the change affects the next month's eligibility and/or benefit amount
MS 790-3 C Change Results in Ineligibility
- Adds note to clarify timely notice of adverse action is not always required
Addendum 2 Temporary Assistance Income and Payment Standards
- Updates the income eligibility standards and maximum shelter allowances for 2008. The regional heating and non-heating utility standards that went into effect October 1, 2007 are also included. Corresponding forms have been updated on e-Forms and the DPAweb