STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #50
MANUAL: Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
DATE: December 1, 2015
The Social Security announced that there will be no COLA increase effective January 1, 2016. We have updated the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program income eligibility and shelter allowance standards to reflect the year change, but there has been no change in the ratable reduction, percentage of need payable, need standards or maximum payments. The ATAP manual was also updated based on feedback from the field and Tribal TANF providers. The Alaskan Native Villages of Evansville, Karluk, and Manley Hot Springs were added to Addendum 1, effective December of 2015, based on requests from the TCC and KANA, which were confirmed by the Dept. of Interior, Alaska Dept. of Labor and American Community Survey.
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 722 Job Refusal or Job Quit
Removed the word, "may" and replaced with the word, "is" for clarity.
MS 758 Unearned Income
Added language to the first bullet in the section, which clarifies that RSDI benefits are countable unearned income.
MS 780-1 G. Ratable Reduction
Updates the year for the percentage of need payable and ratable reduction amounts.
MS 780-3 Calculating the Payment Amount
Updates the examples of payment calculations to reflect the year 2016.
Addendum 1 Exempt Alaska Native Villages
The Alaskan Native Villages of Evansville, Karluk, and Manley Hot Springs were added effective December of 2015.
Addendum 2 Temporary Assistance Income and Payment Standards
Updates the income eligibility standards and maximum shelter allowances to reflect the year 2016.