STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   MC #22

MANUAL:  Alaska Temporary Assistance Program

DATE:  December 1, 2008

We have updated the Alaska Temporary Assistance income eligibility and shelter allowance standards to reflect the annual Cost of Living Allowance ( COLA ) adjustments in Social Security benefits.  The new standards are effective beginning with the benefit month of January 2009.

We have made some language changes to the interview section of the Application Process chapter in conjunction with the other program manuals.  We aligned policy about Native Restricted Lands and ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act distributions with the Adult Public Assistance and Family Medicaid programs to the extent possible.  We also clarified several policy issues that were requested by field staff.

Highlights of these policy revisions are described below.  If you have any questions please contact the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3382 or e-mail dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 705-3 E  Conducting Interviews

1. • Revises language that incorrectly implied an applicant had to come into a DPA Office for an interview.

   • Clarifies that when an applicant has an interview for other programs they must be clearly informed of the need to attend another interview for Temporary Assistance.

MS 705-3 F  Changes Reported During the Interview

1. • Revises language that incorrectly implied that an applicant had to come into a DPA Office for an interview.

MS 753-1  The Home in Which the Family Resides

1. • Clarifies that houses on ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act land are also excluded from resources even if they produce income.

MS 754-9 A  Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( ANCSA ) Assets

1. • Revises section to clarify policy and address the various types of assets, including Alaska Native Fund distributions, stock, partnership interests, land, interest in a settlement trust, and cash distributions.

   • Clarifies that any house or related structure that is permanently attached to excluded ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act land is exempt even if is not used as a home.

MS 754-9 C  Native Restricted Land

1. • Clarifies that land classified as Native Restricted Deed is exempt as a resource because it cannot be transferred or sold without permission from other individuals, the tribe, or the BIABureau of Indian Affairs .

   • Adds a note to clarify that the BIABureau of Indian Affairs keeps records of Native Restricted Deeds.

   • Clarifies that any house or related structure that is permanently attached to the land is exempt even if is not used as a home.

MS 757-20  Earned Income of a Dependent Child

1. • Clarifies that the exemption for earnings of a dependent child who is a student continues during semester breaks and summer vacation.

MS 780-1 G  Ratable Reduction

1. • Updates the percentage of need payable and ratable reduction amounts for 2009.

MS 780-3  Calculating the Payment Amount

1. •  Updates the examples of payment calculations to reflect the 2009 cost of living adjustment.

Addendum 2  Temporary Assistance Income and Payment Standards

1. • Updates the income eligibility standards and maximum shelter allowances for 2009. The regional heating and non-heating utility standards that went into effect October 1, 2008 are also included. Corresponding forms have been updated on e-Forms and the DPAweb.