STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #61
MANUAL: Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
DATE: December 3, 2018
This year Social Security announced a 2.8% COLA increase effective January 1, 2019. We have updated the Alaska Temporary Assistance income eligibility and shelter allowance standards to reflect the annual COLA adjustments in Social Security benefits. The new standards are effective beginning with the benefit month of January 2019. The Eligibility Information System will automatically apply these new standards when determining eligibility and benefit amounts beginning January 2019.
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 756-7B Deeming the Income of the Parent of a Minor Parent
Updated section to mirror "Deeming the Income of a Stepparent" for consistency
MS 770-3J A Minor Parent in a Two Parent Temporary Assistance Family
Added section to clarify how to properly report a teen parent in a 2P household when one parent is 18 and the other is 17
MS 780-1G Ratable Reduction
Updated the ratable reduction to reflect the 2019 Social Security COLA increase
MS 780-3 Calculating the Payment Amount
Updated the standards to reflect the 2019 Social Security COLA increase, along with examples A, B, and C to reflect the updated need standards
Addendum 2 Temporary Assistance Income & Payment Standards
Updated the income eligibility standards and maximum shelter allowances for 2019