STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #79
MANUAL: Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
DATE: December 2, 2024
Social Security announced a 2.5% COLACost of Living Allowance increase effective January 1, 2025. We have updated the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) 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 2025. The Eligibility Information System (EIS) will automatically apply these new standards when determining eligibility and benefit amounts beginning January 2025.
Highlights of all the policy revisions are described below. If you have any questions, please contact the Policy & Program Development Team at hss.dpa.policy@alaska.gov.
OVERVIEW OF CHANGES
MS 705 APPLICATION PROCESS
- Clarified that the request to add other programs to an existing ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program application must be done timely, or a new application is required.
- Revised to allow for digital and handwritten signatures created on an electronic device (finger/stylus to screen.)
- Removed note requiring a "wet signature" on Appendix D: Child Support Information Form (GEN53)
MS 705-2A WHAT IS AN ACCEPTABLE APPLICATION FORM?
- Revised to include other application methods.
MS 780-1 G RATABLE REDUCTION
- Updated the ratable reduction to reflect the 2025 Social Security COLACost of Living Allowance increase.
MS 780-3 CALCULATING THE PAYMENT AMOUNT
- Updated the standards to reflect the 2025 Social Security COLACost of Living Allowance increase, along with examples A, B, and C to reflect the updated need standards.
Addendum 2 PROGRAM STANDARDS
- Updated the monetary amount referenced when determining deemed income of the stepparents, to the current pregnant woman need standard.
- Updated the income eligibility standards and maximum shelter allowances for 2025.
- Removed Copper River Census area from the Norther Utility Region and added it to the South Central Utility Region.