STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

 

 

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #54

 

MANUAL: Alaska Temporary Assistance Program

 

DATE: December 1, 2016

 

This year Social Security announced a 0.3% COLACost of Living Allowance increase effective January 1, 2017. We have updated the Alaska Temporary Assistance income eligibility and shelter allowance standards to reflect the annual COLACost of Living Allowance adjustments in Social Security benefits. The new standards are effective beginning with the benefit month of January 2017. The Eligibility Information System will automatically apply these new standards when determining eligibility and benefit amounts beginning January 2017. Clarification has been added regarding the eligibility of half-siblings to align with the Alaska Administrative Code. A link to the new MAGIModified Adjusted Gross Income Medicaid manual has been added in the Transitional Medicaid section. ABLEAchieving a Better Life Experience account information has been clarified and aligns with the other Public Assistance programs. The city name of Barrow has been updated to its new official name, Utqiagvik.

 

Highlights of these policy revisions are described below. If you have any questions, please contact the Policy and Program Development Team at dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

 

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

 

MS 711-2      Mandatory Filing Unit

 

 

MS 711-4      Who May Not Be Included in the Assistance Unit

 

 

MS 719-2      Employability Assessment

 

 

MS 740-3 B      Transitional Medicaid

 

 

MS 753-6      Other Exclusions

 

 

MS 770-4      Diversion

 

 

MS 780-1 G      Ratable Reduction

 

 

MS 780-3      Calculating the Payment Amount

 

 

MS 780-19 H      Verification of Shelter Costs

 

 

Addendum 2      Temporary Assistance Income and Payment Standards

 

 

Addendum 3      Criteria for AK Native Village Time Limit Exemption