STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #31
MANUAL: Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
DATE: April 1, 2011
We are making several changes to incorporate new policy, clarify existing policy and align policies within our program policy manuals. These changes include:
New policy exempting any deposits or funds held in Individual Indian Money accounts as income and resources.
Clarifying when a new CSSD 1603a is required.
New policy excluding federal income tax returns as income in the month of receipt and as a resource for 12 months from the date of receipt.
Update the Self-Employment Annualization Standards
New policy clarifying new members entering a recipient household are considered recipients for purposes of the earned income deduction.
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 717 -4 A. What is non Cooperation
MS 717-4 C. Failure to Complete a Child Support Form
MS 722 Job Refusal of Job Quit
Removes “reduce or” in the third sentence of this section
MS 739 Work: Supportive Service Payments
Clarifies that supportive services can be used for people who need barrier removal before they can start job search or employment.
Adds example to section.
MS 752-4 Cash on Hand and Other Countable Resources
Adds a note that under the new Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 federal tax returns received after December 31, 2009 are exempt as both income and resources for ATAP
MS 753-6 Other Exclusions
Adds a new policy that requires federal income tax returns to be excluded as a resource for 12 months from the date of receipt.
MS 754-2 Non-Recurring Lump Sum
Removes income tax refunds as a type of non-recurring lump sum payment.
MS 754-3 Conversion of a Resource
Removes income tax refunds from the examples of refunds or reimbursements that appear to produce countable income.
MS 754-9 Land, Stock, and Payments Made to Native Americans
Adds new policy that excludes any funds deposited or held in an Individual Indian Money (IIM) account as a resource.
MS 757-19 Non-Recurring Lump Sum Payments
Removes income tax refunds as a type of non-recurring lump sum payment.
MS 758-5 C Payments to Native Americans
Adds a new policy that excludes any funds deposited or held in an Individual Indian Money (IIM) account as income.
MS 759-6 E Budgeting Self Employment Income
Updates the Self-Employment Annualization Standards
MS 760-2 B Earned Income Disregard
Clarifies that new members entering a recipient household are considered recipients for purposes of the earned income deduction and may receive the monthly earned income deduction ($150 + 33%) that applies to recipients. Currently, new members entering a recipient household can only receive a $90 earned income deduction. With this change, the new member may receive the higher earned income deduction as long as the "household" has an on-going TA case.
Adds example.
MS 770-3A 1 Definitions
Adds a note that a minor parent that turns 18 can choose to be the recipient of the benefits directly or use a payee if they re still in high school.
MS 790-8 D Late Submission of Review Form
Clarifies that a new CSSD 1603a is required if it has been more than 30 days since the last day of a recertification period.