STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #46
MANUAL: Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
DATE: January 2, 2015
This year Social Security announced a COLA increase effective January 1, 2015. 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 2015. The ATAP manual was also updated to reflect recent changes in federal legislation in response to the Cobell v. Salazar class-action lawsuit and same-sex marriage court decisions.
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 701-1 D. Months That Do Not Count Towards the 60-Month Time Limit
Adds a bullet stating that months used as a minor teen parent do not count towards the client's 60-month lifetime limit.
712-3 Parental Relationship
Adds a definition of a stepparent.
Adds a note regarding same-sex married couples.
MS 723-1 B. Good Cause for Not Cooperating with CSSD
Adds the cssdgoodcause@alaska.gov email address for notifying the CSSD of a good cause decision.
Removed language that stated a good cause notice should be mailed to the CSSD .
MS 753-6 Other Exclusions
Adds a bullet to exempt retained settlement payments from the Cobell v. Salazar class-action lawsuit for up to one year from receipt.
MS 757-15 Restitution Payments
Adds income received from the settlement of the Cobell v. Salazar class-action lawsuit as an exempt restitution payment.
MS 780-1 G. Ratable Reduction
Updates the percentage of need payable and ratable reduction amounts for 2015.
MS 780-3 Calculating the Payment Amount
Updates the examples of payment calculations to reflect the 2014 cost of living adjustment.
Addendum 2 Temporary Assistance Income and Payment Standards
Updates the income eligibility standards and maximum shelter allowances for 2015.