STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   MC Manual Change #32

MANUAL:  Alaska Temporary Assistance Program

DATE:  April 27, 2011

On April 1, 2011, we changed policy for Temporary Assistance and Family Medicaid to allow new household members entering a recipient household to be considered recipients.  This enabled them to receive the earned income deduction of $150 + 33% instead of the $90 disregard allowed applicants.  Effective immediately, we can no longer allow the higher deduction for new members entering the Temporary Assistance household.  

We must reverse this decision because EIS Eligibility Information System does not allow for processing of the $150 + 33% earned income deduction for new members entering Temporary Assistance recipient households.  We are working with System Operations to find a solution to this problem.  Until that time, we must revert to the previous policy which allowed a $90 work expense deduction for new members entering a Temporary Assistance recipient household.

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 760-2B   Amounts and Limits of Work Incentive Deductions

1. • Removed new policy issued April 1, 2011 to treat new members entering a recipient household as recipients.  EIS does not currently allow the earned income deduction of $150 + 33% for new household members.