STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   MC Manual Change #34

MANUAL:  Alaska Temporary Assistance Program

DATE:  September 1, 2011

We are making several changes to incorporate new policy, clarify existing policy, and align policies within our program manuals.  These changes include:

1. • The addition of a new military section.  All military pay issues are now included in one section and are more fully explained.
   • The addition of  Addendum 4 to provide an example of an Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) as well as three tables to define types of Entitlements, Allotments and Deductions that may be found on the Leave and Earnings Statement.

Other changes are either technical in nature or clarifications that are the result of policy questions or suggestions from the field.

Highlights to policy revisions are described below.  If you have any questions please contact the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3382 or email dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 710-3  Disqualifying Conditions

1. • Adds a note to explain why caseworkers must notify policy when they authorize TA Temporary Assistance for a drug felon as well as information needed in the email.

MS 711-7(B)(4)  Planned Temporary Absence

1. • Adds link to the new military pay section.

MS 713-6B  Non-Immigrants

1. • Adds a note stating aliens born in the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau can travel freely between the islands and the United States but are considered non-qualified aliens and are not eligible to receive public assistance.

MS 713-6C  Proof of Qualified Alien Status

1. • Creates separate row in the table for Cuban or Haitian Entrants.  Previous manual combined this immigration status with the Battered Spouse or Child of a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Legal Resident.  

MS 730-5A  Core Work Activities

1. • Adds note that Family Self-sufficiency meetings focused on work search and job readiness options are countable as Work Search and Job Readiness.  This includes discussions about past work experience, job searches and career options.

MS 730-5C  Other Activities

1. • Adds Family First Activities to the list of other activities a family may engage in to support success in increasing self-sufficiency.

   • Adds note that Discovery and other Families First activities do not count for the federal work participation rate.  However, these activities help families become self-sufficient.  The activities will be included in the hours a family is involved in meeting work participation goals.

   • Adds link to Families First chapter.

MS 732-4  Resources and Supports for Families First

1. • Changes the word “countable” in first paragraph to “approved”.

MS 739-12  Child Care

1. • Clarifies that PASS Parents Achieving Self-Sufficiency I child care assistance can be used to support activities identified on the FSSP Family Self-Sufficiency Plan including work, work activity, and other activities that directly support the family’s ability to participate in activities and increase their self-sufficiency;

   • Adds link to the current posted PASS Parents Achieving Self-Sufficiency child care program manual.

MS 758-3B  Other Education Assistance

1. • Adds that any money that “will not” be used for education expenses is countable unearned income.  Previous policy only indicated money that “is not” used for education expenses is countable unearned income.  

MS 770-2B  Paternity

1. • Corrects form name from “DPA Paternity Statement” to “ATAP Alaska Temporary Assistance Program Statement of Relationship”

MS 770-6  Military Pay

1. • Adds new section to clarify military pay.

MS 791-2  Timely Notice Requirements

1. • Clarifies the count for 10 days adverse action begins the day after the notice is mailed.

   • Adds example to further clarify when the 10 day count begins.

Addendum 4  The Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)

1. • Adds new section with a sample LES Leave and Earnings Statement and definitions of entitlements, deductions, and allotments found on the LES Leave and Earnings Statement.